Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 27 · B2

could (do) and could have (done)

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.

Start the lesson

18Steps · about 30 minutes

In this lesson

could is not always past: suggestionsA4 screens of questions
could for things that are not realisticB3 screens of questions
could for what is possible now or laterC1 screen of questions
could have (done): possible, but it did not happenD1 screen of questions
couldn't (do) and couldn't have (done)E2 screens of questions

Point A of 5

could is not always past: suggestions

could is sometimes the past of can (Unit 26), but not always. It also points to possible actions now or later, and it is the natural word for a suggestion.

can works in suggestions too ("We can go to the cinema"). could is less certain, 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."

Point A · Exercise 27.1 · part 1 of 2

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

Use these

  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. Example

    What shall we have for tea tonight?

    c

    AnswerWhat 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?

Point A · Exercise 27.1 · part 2 of 2

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

Use these

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

Point A · Exercise 27.3 · part 1 of 2

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

Use these

gonecould becould comecould sleephave movedcould havecould have comecould have been

  1. Example

    A: You look worn out. B: I am. Honestly, I could sleep for a week.

    AnswerYou look worn out. I am. Honestly, I could sleep for a week.

  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.

Point A · Exercise 27.3 · part 2 of 2

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

Use these

gonecould becould comecould sleephave movedcould havecould have comecould have been

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

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

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

Point B of 5

could for things that are not realistic

For actions that are not realistic, only could will do; can is wrong.

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.

Point B · Exercise 27.2 · part 1 of 3

Put in can or could.

  1. Example

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

    AnswerThe 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)

Point B · Exercise 27.2 · part 2 of 3

Put in can or could.

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

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

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

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

Point B · Exercise 27.2 · part 3 of 3

Put in can or could.

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

Point C of 5

could for what is possible now or later

could (again, not can) also says that something might be true or might happen, now or later.

can is 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.

Point C · Extra practice

Put in could. These sentences are about something that may be true or may happen.

  1. Sam says he's won the lottery. It be true, though I have my doubts.

  2. Take a coat. It rain later.

  3. Don't go out. The plumber arrive at any minute.

Point D of 5

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.

Point D · Extra practice

Complete each sentence with could have and the verb in brackets.

  1. Why did you walk? You me for a lift. (ask)

  2. You were lucky. You your leg. (break)

  3. It was a bad storm, but it worse. (be)

Point E of 5

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

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

In the past it becomes couldn't have + past participle (= it would have been impossible).

I couldn't can mean either of two things:

  1. Hypothetical: I would be unable, now. "I couldn't swim a mile now. I'm not fit enough."
  2. Past: I was unable. "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.

Point E · Exercise 27.4 · part 1 of 2

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

Use these

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  1. Example

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

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

  2. Example

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

    AnswerThe 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.

Point E · Exercise 27.4 · part 2 of 2

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

Use these

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

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

Lesson 27 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: must and can'tBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. could is not always past: suggestions–Not checkedB. could for things that are not realistic–Not checkedC. could for what is possible now or later–Not checkedD. could have (done): possible, but it did not happen–Not checkedE. couldn't (do) and couldn't have (done)–Not checked