How Do We Use Could and Couldn't?
Could is the past of can. Couldn't is the negative.
ABLE TO, BACK THENPast ability
Now: can. Back then: could.
I could read when I was four.
NOT ABLE TOOne particular time
She couldn't sleep last night. The neighbours were very loud.
For ability in the past, can changes to could.
Could = a skill you had for a long time: I could swim when I was six.
Couldn't = also fine for one time: I couldn't find my keys yesterday.
For one success, don't use could. Use the past simple: I passed the exam. I found my keys.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"When I was five, I blank write my name."
The forms
POSITIVE
ScouldV
My dad could fix cars.
Same for every subject. A base verb after it.
NEGATIVE
Scouldn'tV
We couldn't find the hotel.
Couldn't = could not.
QUESTION
CouldSV?
Could your grandfather speak French?
Could goes first. No did.
SHORT ANSWER
Yes / No,Scould / couldn't
Yes, he could. · No, he couldn't.
Repeat could, not the main verb.
CAN → COULD
- cancould
- can'tcouldn't
Could is already past. So: could swim, not could swam.
Could sounds like /kʊd/. The l is silent.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"My grandmother could blank three languages."
- Question 2
"I blank open the door. I didn't have my key."
When to use it
A skill you had
My uncle could play the guitar when he was young.
He knew how, back then.
Often used with: when I was young · as a child · at the age of five
Not able to, that time
We couldn't hear the teacher at the back of the room.
It did not work that time.
Common phrases: couldn't find · couldn't sleep · couldn't open
Past could vs. polite Could you…?
| COULD · PAST | COULD YOU…? · POLITE | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Did you know how to, back then? | Can you do this for me, right now? |
| Example | Could you use chopsticks when you were six? | Could you help me with this bag? |
| Replies | Yes, I could. · No, I couldn't. | Sure. · Of course. · Sorry, I can't. |
To say no, say Sorry, I can't.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Could you call me back later? — Sorry, I blank. I'm in a meeting all afternoon."
Common mistakes
Incorrect:When I was young, I can run fast.
Correct:When I was young, I could run fast.
That time is over. Use could.
Incorrect:My sister could to draw very well.
Correct:My sister could draw very well.
No to after could, just like after can.
Incorrect:Did you could speak English last year?
Correct:Could you speak English last year?
Could moves to the front. No did.
Incorrect:I didn't could find a taxi.
Correct:I couldn't find a taxi.
The negative is couldn't. No did.
Incorrect:She couldn't answered the question.
Correct:She couldn't answer the question.
After couldn't, use the base verb.
Incorrect:I could pass the exam last week.
Correct:I passed the exam last week.
One success at one time: use the past simple.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the correct form:
It was very dark, so we couldn't see the path.
- A. couldn't — Correct
- B. didn't could
- C. can't
Answer: A. couldn't
Can't is present.
Choose the word that starts the question:
Could your parents use a computer twenty years ago?
- A. Could — Correct
- B. Did could
- C. Can
Answer: A. Could
Twenty years ago is the past.
Choose the correct short answer:
Could Minh drive last year? — No, he couldn't.
- A. couldn't — Correct
- B. didn't
- C. can't
Answer: A. couldn't
Answer with could: No, he couldn't.
Choose the correct form:
I couldn't catch the bus this morning, so I was late for work.
- A. couldn't catch — Correct
- B. can't catch
- C. couldn't caught
Answer: A. couldn't catch
Catch, not caught.
You did it, one time. Choose the correct form:
The test was hard, but I passed it. I got nine out of ten!
- A. passed — Correct
- B. could pass
Answer: A. passed
Could is for a skill you had for a long time.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 12 questions