Past modals of ability

We use could to talk about things we were able to do in the past.

It’s the past form of can when we talk about ability.

👉 Think of it as “can in the past.”

✅ Examples:

• When I was 6, I could swim.
• My grandmother could play the piano beautifully.
• We could run very fast when we were teenagers.

We use couldn’t to say we were not able to do something in the past.

✅ Examples:

• I couldn’t ride a bike when I was 5.
• She couldn’t speak English last year.
• We couldn’t use computers when we were children (because there were none at home!).

We also use could to ask about abilities in the past.

✅ Examples:

• Could you swim when you were 7?
• Could your father drive a car when he was young?
• Could your grandmother speak another language?

🧾 Useful Tips

✨ Notice the difference:

• I can swim = now, in the present.
• I could swim when I was 6 = in the past.

✨ Pronunciation tip:

• could is pronounced /kʊd/ (like good).
• The l is silent!

✨ Everyday English:
We sometimes use could in polite offers or suggestions:

• Could you help me, please?
• We could go to the park this afternoon.
  👉 But in today’s lesson, we are focusing on past ability.

Can vs Could

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Let’s practice

Quiz time

Practice 1

Practice 2

Speaking

Complete the sentences with information about you.

Use could/ couldn’t