grammar · neutral

could + base verb

Band 4-5speakingtask2

Could: used for past ability, polite requests, or less certain possibility.

Examples

“When I was young, I could swim long distances.”

“Could you help me with this task, please?”

“It could be expensive if we book late.”

Band 8 sentence

“During my internship I could apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems, which improved my confidence significantly.”

Collocations

  • could + base verb (past ability)
  • could + you + base verb (polite request)

Common mistakes

I can swim when I was five.→I could swim when I was five.

Could you to help me?→Could you help me?

Say it for a higher band

5can + base verb→6was/were able to + V→7+could + base verb

Synonyms

was/were able to

Easily confused

can + base verb

“I can lift 50 kg.”

Related words

have / has + past participlesubject + V(s) (simple present)be about to + base verbbe + V-ingso + adjective/adverb + that + clauseIf + present perfect, will + base verbNot only + clause, but also + clausewill have been + V-ing

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In Tenses

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