Could/ Couldn't

Could/ Couldn't

Past Modal Verb

CAN

• Can is called a Modal Verb.

• It doesn't have all the tenses that verbs usually have.

• It has the simple past tense could.

Poll

Which are tenses in the following?

• Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives

• Present, Past and Future

• Cardinal and Ordinal numbers

The negative forms of can and could are cannot (can't) and could not (couldn't)

• Can-------> cannot -------> can't

• could------> could not -----> couldn't

• Note that cannot is one word and could not consists of two separate words.

• Can and Could are affirmative forms

We use 'could' and 'couldn't' to talk about our abilities in the past.

• For example:

• I could swim when I was four years old.

• I couldn't ride a bike when I was three.

• He could walk when he was two.

• She couldn't write when she was one.

Multiple Select

Peter _______ do his homework yesterday because he was sick

• could

• can

• couldn't

• cannot

Multiple Select

I ______ make my own lunch when I was twelve years old.

• couldn't

• cannot

• can't

• could

Multiple Choice

When I was a baby I ___________ speak.

• could

• couldn't

• I don't know

THE END