What you'll learn
By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to use could for past ability, polite requests, and suggestions of possibility.
When do I use it?
could has three main jobs.
- Past ability: a general skill or ability you had in the past.
- When I was a child, I could swim very well.
- Polite requests: softer and more polite than "can".
- Could you help me with this bag, please?
- Possibility: something that is possible now or in the future.
- It could snow tonight. We could take the train instead.
For a single successful action at one specific past moment ("managed to"), use was able to or managed to, not couldn't or could.
- I managed to finish the race. (Not "could finish" for that one occasion)
How do I form it?
could + base verb
Subject + could + base verb + rest. Example: She could play the guitar. Could you call me back? Negative: I couldn't sleep.
Like all modals, could never changes for he/she/it and is followed by the base verb without "to".
Common mistakes for Spanish speakers
Spanish "podía" is tempting to translate word-for-word, so learners add "to": "I could to go" is wrong, it is "I could go". Others use "could" for a single past success — "Yesterday I could finish the exam" should be "Yesterday I managed to finish the exam". Finally, for a general ability in the present, use "can" not "could": "I can swim" is not "I could swim".
Could = past can / polite can / maybe. Check the time: past habit, polite request, or possibility.
Practice
Multiple Choice
A2Which sentence states a past ability?
Fill in the Blank
A2Could you the window, please?
Hint: After 'could' the verb stays in its base form.
Find the Error
A2Practice Speaking
Apply what you've learned in a real conversation with AI feedback.
Level: A2