Intermediate grammar · Unit 27 · B2

could (do) and could have (done)

Modals

Use could for suggestions, for things that are possible now or later, and for the unrealistic; use could have (done) for past possibilities that did not happen, and couldn't (have) for what would not be possible.

Go to the exercises

A could is not always past: suggestions

Sometimes could is the past of can (see Unit 26). It is not always past, however. We also use could for possible actions now or in the future, especially to make suggestions.

Can is also possible in suggestions ("We can go to the cinema"). Could is less sure than can, which makes it the gentler of the two.

  • Listen. I can hear an owl. (now)
  • I listened. I could hear an owl. (past)
  • "What shall we do on Sunday?" "We could take the dog to the beach."
  • "When you're in Glasgow next week, you could look up Fiona." "Yes, I suppose I could."

B could for things that are not realistic

We use could (not can) for actions that are not realistic.

Sentence Meaning
I can stay with Fiona when I go to Glasgow. realistic
Maybe I could stay with Fiona when I go to Glasgow. possible, but less sure
This view is magnificent. I could look at it for ever. not realistic
  • I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse. (not I can eat a horse)
  • That song is so catchy, I could listen to it all day.

C could for what is possible now or later

We also use could (not can) to say that something is possible now or in the future.

Compare can for what is possible in general: "Trains can be late in the winter" is a statement about trains. "The train could be late tonight" is a statement about one train, and a pessimistic one.

  • The rumour could be true, but I doubt it. (not can be true)
  • I've no idea when the plumber is coming. He could turn up at any minute.
  • The roads are clear at the moment, but it could snow later.

D could have (done): possible, but it did not happen

We use could have + past participle to talk about the past.

Now Past
I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse. I was so hungry, I could have eaten a horse.
Things are bad, but they could be worse. Things were bad, but they could have been worse.

Something could have happened means it was possible, but it did not happen.

  • Why did you get a taxi? You could have rung me for a lift.
  • Megan was lucky. She could have broken her wrist when she slipped, but it's only bruised.

E couldn't (do) and couldn't have (done)

I couldn't do something = it would not be possible for me.

For the past, use couldn't have + past participle (= it would not have been possible).

Note that I couldn't has two meanings:

  1. It would not be possible now; I would not be able. "I couldn't swim a mile now. I'm not fit enough."
  2. I was not able (past). "I couldn't swim on Saturday because I had an ear infection."
  • I couldn't work nights. I'd never sleep.
  • Everything's going brilliantly. Things couldn't be better.
  • The wedding was perfect. It couldn't have gone better.

Exercises

27.1 Which suggestion goes with which question or statement? Match them.

  1. We could go camping in the Lakes.
  2. You could get him a gardening book.
  3. We could have curry.
  4. You could wear your navy dress.
  5. You could do it now, while you remember.
  6. We could put it over the fireplace.

  1. What shall we have for tea tonight?c

    What shall we have for tea tonight? We could have curry.

  2. I must email the landlord at some point.

  3. What shall I get Grandad for Christmas?

  4. Where shall we hang this mirror?

  5. What do you fancy doing in the half-term holiday?

  6. I've got nothing to wear to the christening.

27.2 Put in can or could.

  1. The view from this hill is magnificent. I ___ look at it for ever. (can / could)

    could

    The view from this hill is magnificent. I could look at it for ever.

  2. He's left the gate open again. I ___ scream! (can / could)

  3. I ___ smell burning. Is something on the hob? (can / could)

  4. This café is so cosy. I ___ stay here all afternoon, but I've got a train to catch. (can / could)

  5. I ___ see why you're upset, but I still think you're wrong. (can / could)

  6. Rhiannon is very sporty. She plays netball, and she ___ also ride a horse. (can / could)

  7. The factory where Dean works is losing money. He ___ lose his job. (can / could)

  8. Some days nothing goes right. Life ___ be very frustrating. (can / could)

  9. I've sent the email to the wrong person. I ___ kick myself. (can / could)

  10. Mind that ladder. It isn't steady and you ___ fall off. (can / could)

27.3 Complete the conversations. Choose from the words in the box, using each one once.

gonecould becould comecould sleephave movedcould havecould have comecould have been

  1. A: You look worn out. B: I am. I feel as if I could sleep until next Tuesday.

    You look worn out. I am. I feel as if I could sleep until next Tuesday.

  2. A: I sat in on my own all Saturday night. B: Why? You to the pub with us.

  3. A: Shall I answer the phone? It's a number I don't know. B: Yes. It the hospital.

  4. A: How did the driving test go? B: Not too badly. It worse.

  5. A: I missed the last bus and walked home in the dark. B: Why didn't you ring me? I picked you up.

  6. A: Where shall we meet on Friday? B: Well, I to your flat, if that's easier.

  7. A: Is Shona still working at the bakery? B: I've no idea. She could on by now.

  8. A: Did you go to the leaving do? B: No. I could have , but I was too tired.

27.4 Complete the sentences. Use couldn't or couldn't have with one of these verbs in the correct form.

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  1. I couldn't live on a farm. I'd miss the shops too much.

    I couldn't live on a farm. I'd miss the shops too much.

  2. The weather on our wedding day was perfect. It couldn't have been better.

    The weather on our wedding day was perfect. It couldn't have been better.

  3. I shoes like those. I'd fall over in five minutes.

  4. Thanks for looking after the kids last week. I without you.

  5. The nurses on the ward were wonderful. They kinder.

  6. We a holiday this year. The car repairs took all our savings.

  7. Amira did every practice paper twice before the exam. She harder.

  8. I wouldn't like to live next to a nightclub. I the noise at weekends.

See also