2 Could (do) and could have (done)

Question 1

We also use could to say that something is p____ now or in the future. The meaning is similar to might or may.

Answer 1

We also use could to say that something is possible now or in the future. The meaning is similar to might or may.

The story could be true, but I don’t think it is. (not can be true)

I don’t know what time Liz is coming. She could get here at any time.

Question 2

I’m so angry I can / could scream.

Answer 2

I’m so angry I could scream. _{(unrealistic)}

Question 3

We also use could (not can) for actions which are not r_____ .

Answer 3

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

I’m so tired, I could sleep for a week. (not I can sleep for a week)

Compare can an could:

I can stay with Candice when I go to New York. (realistic)

Maybe I could stay with Candice when I go to New York. (possible, but less sure)

This is a wonderful place. I could stay here forever. (unrealistic)

Question 4

I was so hungry that I could / could have (eat) the whole pot of soup by myself.

Answer 4

I was so hungry that I could have eaten the whole pot of soup by myself. _{(possibility in the past)}

Question 5

We managed to find the restaurant you recommended, but we couldn’t / couldn’t have (find) it without the map that you drew for us.

Answer 5

We managed to find the restaurant you recommended, but we couldn’t have found it without the map that you drew for us. _{(not possible in past)}

Question 6

Where would you like to go on vacation? We _____ go to San Diego.

Answer 6

Where would you like to go on vacation? We could go to San Diego. _(suggestion)

Question 7

It’s so nice here. I can / could stay here all day, but unfortunately I have to go.

Answer 7

It’s so nice here. I could stay here all day, but unfortunately I have to go. _{(unrealistic)}

Question 8

I spent a very boring evening at home yesterday. Why did you stay at home? You could / could have (go) with us.

Answer 8

I spent a very boring evening at home yesterday. Why did you stay at home? You could have gone with us. _{(possibility in thepast)}

Question 9

Why is the baby crying? I don’t know. She could / could have (want) to be picked up and held.

Answer 9

Why is the baby crying? I don’t know. She could want to be picked up and held. _{(possibility now)}

Question 10

I couldn’t / couldn’t have (wear) that hat. I’d look silly, and people would laught at me.

Answer 10

I couldn’t wear that hat. I’d look silly, and people would laught at me. _{(not possible now)}

Question 11

I got very wet walking home in the rain last night. Why did you walk? You could / could have (take) a taxi.

Answer 11

I got very wet walking home in the rain last night. Why did you walk? You could have taken a taxi. _{(possibility in the past)}

Question 12

Don’t complain about the heat. It could / could have (be) hotter.

Answer 12

Don’t complain about the heat. It could be hotter. _{(possibility now)}

Question 13

What should I give Ana for her birthday? You _____ (give) her a book.

Answer 13

What should I give Ana for her birthday? You could give her a book. _(suggestion)

Question 14

I suppose I could / could have (work) a little harder. Then my boss would like me better.

Answer 14

I suppose I could work a little harder. Then my boss would like me better. _{(possible action in future)}

Question 15

We enjoyed our vacation a lot. We couldn’t / couldn’t have (ask) for a nicer hotel.

Answer 15

We enjoyed our vacation a lot. We couldn’t have asked for a nicer hotel. _{(possibilty in the past)}

Question 16

I couldn’t / couldn’t have (live) in a big city. I’d hate it.

Answer 16

I couldn’t live in a big city. I’d hate it. _{(not be possible now)}

Question 17

We use couldn’t to say that something would not be p_____ now.

Answer 17

We use couldn’t to say that something would not be possible now.

I couldn’t live in a big city. I’d hate it. (= it wouldn’t be possible for me)

Everything is fine right now. Things couldn’t be better.

For the past, we use couldn’t have (done):

We had a really good vacation. It couldn’t have been better.

The trip was cancelled last week. Paul couldn’t have gone anyway: he was sick.

Question 18

Paul has to get up at 4:00 every morning. I don’t know how he does it. I couldn’t / couldn’t have (get) up at that time every day.

Answer 18

Paul has to get up at 4:00 every morning. I don’t know how he does it. I couldn’t get up at that time every day. _{(not possible now)}

Question 19

Everything about the film was wonderful. It couldn’t / couldn’t have (be) better.

Answer 19

Everything about the film was wonderful. It couldn’t have been better. _{(not possible in past)}

Question 20

Where should we meet tomorrow? Well, I could / could have (come) to your house if you want.

Answer 20

Where should we meet tomorrow? Well, I could come to your house if you want. _(suggestion)

Question 21

We use could h_____ d_____ to talk about the past.

Answer 21

We use could have done to talk about the past.

Compare:

I’m so tired, I could sleep for a week. (now)

I was so tired, I could have slept for a week. (past)

Something could have happened = it was possible but did not happen:

Why did you stay at a hotel when you’re in NY. You could have stayed with Candice.

Dave was lucky. He could have hurt himself when he fell, but he’s OK.

Question 22

Sometimes could is the past of can. But we also use could to talk about p_____ actions now or in the f_____ ,especially to make s_____ .

Answer 22

Sometimes could is the past of can. But we also use could to talk about possible actions now or in the future, especially to make suggestions.

“What would you like to do tonight?” “We could go to the movies”.

“When you go to New York next month, you could stay with Candice.” “Yes, I guess I could.”

Note: Can is also possible in these sentences, but could is less sure than can.

Question 23

What should we do tonight? We could / could have (go) to the movies.

Answer 23

What should we do tonight? We could go to the movies. _(suggestion)