Could

Examples:

 Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city. possibility

 Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11. past ability
 You could see a movie or go out to dinner. opportunity
 Could I use your computer to email my boss? request
 We could go on the trip if I didn't have to work this weekend. Conditional

Using "Could" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "could" behaves in different contexts.

Positive Forms Negative Forms Also

Modal Use
1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future 1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future use:

1. John could be the one who stole the money. 1. Mary couldn't be the one who stole the money. might, 
may
could  2. John could have been the one who stole the money. 2. Mary couldn't have been the one who stole the money.
possibility

3. John could go to jail for stealing the money.  3. Mary couldn't possibly go to jail for the crime.

1. If I had more time, I could travel around the world. 1. Even if I had more time, I couldn't travel around the world.

could  2. If I had had more time, I could have traveled around the 2. Even if I had had more time, I couldn't have traveled
conditional  world. around the world.
of can

3. If I had more time this winter, I could travel around the 3. Even if I had more time this winter, I couldn't travel
world. around the world.

1. NO PRESENT FORM  NO NEGATIVE FORMS

could 
2. You could have spent your vacation in Hawaii.
suggestion

3. You could spend your vacation in Hawaii. 

I could run ten miles in my twenties. I couldn't run more than a mile in my twenties. be able
to

I could speak Chinese when I was a kid. I couldn't speak Swahili.

could 
past ability "Could" cannot be used in positive sentences in which you "Could" can be used in negative sentences in which you
describe a momentary or one-time ability. describe a momentary or one-time ability.

Yesterday, I could lift the couch by myself. Not Correct Yesterday, I couldn't lift the couch by myself. Correct

Could I have something to drink? Couldn't he come with us? can, 

may, 
could  might
polite Could I borrow your stapler? Couldn't you help me with this for just a second?
request

Requests usually refer to the near future. Requests usually refer to the near future.

REMEMBER: "Could not" vs. "Might not"

"Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen. "Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens.

Examples:

 Jack might not have the key. Maybe he does not have the key.

 Jack could not have the key. It is impossible that he has the key.