SET VI, ESL 2cBeware of the modal "could"
ABILITY.
future: He could sing if he took lessons.
past: He could have spoken English when he met the (but he didn't)
American.
He could read and write when he was only four years old.
POSSIBILITY.
future: He could travel during the summer (since he won't be working),
if he wants to.
past: He could have studied English when he was in the United States
(because he lived very close to an intensive English program
and had a lot of money and free time).
PERMISSION.
past: He could take that math course (because it's an elective and his
advisor wouldn't mind).
EXERCISE: WRITE SENTENCES BELOW WHICH FOLLOW THE CATEGORIES ABOVE.
ABILITY.
future:
past:
POSSIBILITY.
future:
past:
PERMISSION.
past: