Content tagged with "COULD"
18 item(s) found.Modals in the main clause of third conditional sentences
Instead of would here it is possible to use could (ability or possibility), should (obligation) or might (possibility).
George could have won the race if his shoelace hadn’t come undone.
Modals in the IF-clause of third conditional sentences
To express ability or possibility could + perfectThe aspect expressing completion. E.g.: He’s finished university. infinitive is used in the IF-clauseA group of related words containing a subject and a verb. of third conditional sentences.
If he could have got to the airport on time, he would not have missed the flight.
Modals in the main clause of second conditional sentences
Instead of would here we can use could (permission or ability), might (certainty/uncertainty) or should (obligation).
If you were taller, you could play for the Lakers.
If you weren’t under 18, I should punish you.
Modals in the IF-clause of second conditional sentences
The auxiliaryA helping verb used with main verbs to express mood, voice and tense. E.g.: I can't stand when I am disturbed. ("can", "am") could is used here to express permission or ability.
I'd go to the beach with you if I could swim.
COULD + comparatives
This is a special use of could, which expresses possibility.
He's an angel! He couldn't be more polite.
We would drink a cup of fresh cow milk and lie in the tall grass every morning; we couldn't have been happier...
Modals expressing present and future willingness / unwillingness
Will can express insistence/willingness and won't refusal/unwillingness in the present.
Modals expressing past willingness / unwillingness
Would can express insistence/willingness and wouldn't refusal/unwillingness in the past.
I had asked Joe to leave me more space but he would park his car next to mine, so I couldn't get out.
Try as I might, the door wouldn't open.
Couldn't + perfectThe aspect expressing completion. E.g.: He’s finished university. infinitive can also express unwillingness.
Modals expressing past permission / prohibition
To express past permission and prohibition could and was/were allowed to are used.
We were not allowed to smoke in the restaurant.
We could not apply for a visa because of my parents' past.
Modals expressing "past offers"
I could have given you a lift.
This sentence is an offer only in theory. In practice it expresses possibility. Note that this is the main clauseA clause that could be a sentence in itself. E.g.: I wouldn’t go there if I were you. ("I wouldn't go there") When I arrived he was surfing. ("he was surfing") of a third conditional sentence.
