Verbes modauxNiveau d’anglais A2
Could
Could est le passé de can — la capacité dans le passé — et la façon polie de demander quelque chose aujourd’hui.
Règle
Emploie could / couldn't pour la capacité passée. Could you…? est une demande polie, plus douce que Can you…? Après could, le verbe reste à la forme de base.
Structure
| Capacité passée (+) | Subject + could + V1 | I could read at five.She could swim very well. |
|---|---|---|
| Négative (-) | Subject + couldn't + V1 | I couldn't sleep last night. |
| Demande polie (?) | Could you + V1? | Could you help me?Could you open the window? |
En conversation
- ACould you pass the salt, please?
- BSure, here you are.
Remarques
- Échelle de politesse : Can you…? → Could you…? → Would you mind…?
- Possibilité : It could rain later. (= peut-être)
Exercices
I mot manquant read when I was five.
mot manquant you pass the salt, please?
I mot manquant sleep last night - too much coffee.