- •Using "Can" in Present, Past, and Future
- •Using "Could" in Present, Past, and Future
- •Had Better
- •Using "Had Better" in Present, Past, and Future
- •Have To
- •Using "Have to" in Present, Past, and Future
- •Have Got To
- •Using "Have Got to" in Present, Past, and Future
- •Using "May" in Present, Past, and Future
- •Using "Might" in Present, Past, and Future
- •Using "Must" in Present, Past, and Future
- •Ought To
- •Using "Ought to" in Present, Past, and Future
- •More Examples of "Shall"
- •Using "Should" in Present, Past, and Future
- •More Examples of "Will"
- •Using "Would" in Present, Past, and Future
- •Modal Forms
Using "Could" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "could" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use |
Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future |
Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future |
You can also use: |
could possibility |
1. John could be the one who stole the money. 2. John could have been the one who stole the money. 3. John could go to jail for stealing the money. |
1. Mary couldn't be the one who stole the money. 2. Mary couldn't have been the one who stole the money. 3. Mary couldn't possibly go to jail for the crime. |
might, may |
could conditional of can |
1. If I had more time, I could travel around the world. 2. If I had had more time, I could have traveled around the world. 3. If I had more time this winter, I could travel around the world. |
1. Even if I had more time, I couldn't travel around the world. 2. Even if I had had more time, I couldn't have traveled around the world. 3. Even if I had more time this winter, I couldn't travel around the world. |
|
could suggestion |
1. NO PRESENT FORM 2. You could have spent your vacation in Hawaii. 3. You could spend your vacation in Hawaii. |
NO NEGATIVE FORMS |
|
could past ability |
I could run ten miles in my twenties. I could speak Chinese when I was a kid. "Could" cannot be used in positive sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability. Yesterday, I could lift the couch by myself. Not Correct |
I couldn't run more than a mile in my twenties. I couldn't speak Swahili. "Could" can be used in negative sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability. Yesterday, I couldn't lift the couch by myself. Correct |
be able to |
could polite request |
Could I have something to drink? Could I borrow your stapler? Requests usually refer to the near future. |
Couldn't he come with us? Couldn't you help me with this for just a second? Requests usually refer to the near future. |
can, may, might |
REMEMBER: "Could not" vs. "Might not" "Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen. "Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. Examples:
|
Had Better
"Had better" is most commonly used to make recommendations. It can also be used to express desperate hope as well as warn people.
Examples:
You had better take your umbrella with you today. recommendation
That bus had better get here soon! desperate hope
You had better watch the way you talk to me in the future! warning