50 Examples of Sentences with “could”

could it's a modal verb in english which is used to express ability in the past. It is also used to express requests and permissions in the present. could It is translated as “could” or “could”, depending on the context. For example:

• Yo could run very fast when I was little./ I could run very fast when I was a child. (ability in the past)
• could you help me with my homework, please? / Could you help me with my homework, please? (order)

Attention: Like all modal verbs, couldit is invariable, that is, it does not change according to the pronoun. For example: Yo could play for hours. I have could play for hours.

• See also: Modal verbs in English (and their meaning)

Sentence structure with could

could is always followed by a main verb in infinitive (without to). The structure of sentences with could is:

• Affirmative sentences: Subject + could+ infinitive verb.
  For example: I have could play the piano when he was a kid. / He knew how to play the piano when he was a child.
• Negative sentences: Subject + could not (couldn't)
  instagram story viewer
  + infinitive verb.
  For example: She couldn't believe what he said. / She couldn't believe what he said.
• Interrogative sentences: could + subject + infinitive verb + ?
  For example: could you speak English when you were little?/ Could you speak English as a child?

• It can help you: Sentences with "would”

Examples of sentences with could

1. my sister could play the guitar when she was five years old.
   My sister knew how to play the guitar when she was five years old.
2. Bob could Count up to 100 at the age of three.
   Bob could count to one hundred at the age of three.
3. as ben could speak four languages, he got the job.
   Since Ben could speak four languages, he got the job.
4. Yo could do the exam fast, so I left the class early.
   I was able to do the test quickly, so I left class early.
5. The boy saved his life because he could swim to the shore.
   The boy saved his life because he was able to swim to shore.
6. My parents could buy that big house because they had savings.
   My parents were able to buy that big house because they had savings.
7. Yo could sign up for the competition just in time.
   I was able to sign up in time for the competition.
8. Amy could say “hello” in ten different languages ​​when she was four years old.
   Amy knew how to say "hello" in ten different languages ​​when she was four years old.
9. my grandfather could lend us the money we need.
   My grandfather was able to lend us the money we needed.
10. The project could take years to complete.
    The project could take years to complete.
11. We could have tried doing it the other way round.
    We could have tried to do it the other way around.
12. the doctor could see you tomorrow.
    The doctor could see you tomorrow.
13. you could use my car if you need it.
    You could use my car if you needed it.
14. The boss could speak to us all next week.
    The boss could talk to all of us next week.
15. Yo could stay over all summer at my best friend's if I wanted to.
    I could stay all summer at my best friend's if I wanted to.
16. She could have moved somewhere else.
    She may have moved elsewhere.
17. Joe couldn't come to the party.
    Joe couldn't come to the party.
18. The students couldn't understand the lesson.
    The students could not understand the lesson.
19. My father couldn't speak English when he was a child.
    My dad didn't know how to speak English when he was a kid.
20. Yo couldn't sleep last night.
    I could not sleep last night.
21. I'm sorry I couldn't attended the meeting yesterday.
    I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the meeting yesterday.
22. Tom couldn't believe what he heard.
    Tom couldn't believe what he heard.
23. We couldn't get together last weekend.
    We couldn't meet last weekend.
24. The accused couldn't prove his identity of him.
    The defendant could not prove his identity.
25. dad couldn't find the keys.
    Dad couldn't find the keys.
26. I tried not to eat the cake but I couldn't help it.
    I tried not to eat cake but I couldn't help it.
27. Yo couldn't get to school on time this morning.
    I couldn't make it to school on time this morning.
28. I have couldn't hear the news.
    He couldn't hear the news.
29. the police couldn't reveal the boy's whereabouts.
    Police were unable to reveal the whereabouts of the boy.
30. Yo couldn't believe my eyes!
    I couldn't believe what I saw!

Examples of questions with could

1. could you play any instruments when you were little?
   Did you know how to play an instrument when you were a child?
2. could you walk when you were nine months old?
   Could you walk when you were nine months old?
3. could you feed the dog before you left home?
   Were you able to feed the dog before you left home?
4. could you attend the class?
   Could you go to class?
5. could you speak to the teacher?
   Could you talk to the teacher?
6. could you open the window?
   Could you open the window?
7. could will you lend me some money?
   Could you lend me some money?
8. could you help me carry this box?
   Could you help me carry this box?
9. could you translate this for me, please?
   Could you translate this for me please?
10. could you explain what the problem is?
    Could you explain to me what the problem is?
11. could you wait for me, please?
    Could you wait for me please?
12. could you read that back to me?
    Could you repeat to me what you wrote?
13. could you buy some milk at the market?
    Could you buy milk in the market?
14. could I have some more water, please?
    Could you give me more water, please?
15. could I have two tickets, please?
    Could I have two tickets, please?
16. could I bring a friend with me?
    Could I bring a friend with me?
17. could Borrow your dictionary?
    Could I borrow your dictionary?
18. could I have a word with you?
    Could I talk to you for a moment?
19. could we enter now?
    Could we come in now?
20. could we finish the meeting?
    Could we end the meeting?

Uses of could

couldIt has several uses and expresses different functions, depending on the context:

• ability in the past (ability in the past). could It is used in affirmative and negative sentences to talk about what was known or could be done in the past. In this usage, couldis the past of dog. It translates as "could", "knew". For example: I have could exercise all day long in the past./ He used to be able to exercise all day.
• permissions(permission): Could + I…? couldIt is used in questions to politely ask for permission. It translates as "could?". For example: could I eat with you?/ Could I go with you?
• Orders and requirements (favors and requests). Could + you…? couldIt is used in questions to express requests in a polite manner. It translates as "could you?" For example:could you open the door, please?/ Could you open the door, please?

You can also use the structure Could I have… ? to ask another person to give or bring something to the speaker. It translates as “I would like…” or “could you give/bring me…?” It is equivalent to the expression: I would like … For example: could I have the menu, please?/ Could you bring me the letter, please?

Other uses of could

In addition to expressing past abilities, requests, and permissions, could is used for:

• Hypothetical and imaginary situations (imaginary situations). could is used in the second conditional (type 2 conditional sentences) to express hypothetical situations. It translates as "could". For example: Yo could buy more clothes if I had money. / I could buy more clothes if I had money.
• Probability in the present and future(probability). could is used as a synonym for mightto express an unlikely possibility. For example: Este could be our last chance to win the championship./ This could be our last chance to win the championship.
• logical conclusion(assumption). Could be + ingIt is used to express a slight probability about an action that occurs at the moment. Could have + past participleexpresses probability in the past. For example: She could be taking a shower./ He must be taking a shower.They could have gotten lost.

• It can help you: Sentences with "will" and "won't”

Follow with:

• Sentences with "will be«
• Prayers in "past simple”
• Sentences with "would rather”
• Sentences with "I wish” / “if only”

Interactive test to practice