Modal Verb Could

Exercises

Explanation

It is the past form of can, but it also has other uses.

Ability in the Past

Use could to talk about what someone was able to do in the past.

I could read when I was five.
She could play the piano very well.
We could see the mountains from our window.

For one specific situation in the past, use was/were able to instead of could:
I was able to fix my bike yesterday. (not I could fix my bike yesterday)

Polite Requests

Use could to ask for something politely.

Could you help me, please?
Could I sit here?
Could you open the window, please?

Possibility

Use could to talk about something that is possible or might happen.

It could rain later.
This plan could work.
He could be tired after the trip.

Negative Form

She couldn’t swim when she was a child.
They couldn’t come to the party.

Comparison