Could Should Would Flashcards
Could: when it refers to a single unique action in the past, the passé Composé of Pouvoir is used.
J’ai pu - I could
Nous avons pu - we could
Could: when it refers to a single unique action in the past, the passé Composé of Pouvoir is used.
He could not talk to him
Il n’a pas pu lui parler
Could: when it refers to a single unique action in the past, the passé Composé of Pouvoir is used.
I managed to convince her
J’ai pu la convaincre
Could: when it refers to a single unique action in the past, the passé Composé of Pouvoir is used.
He successes in obtaining the funding
Il a pu obtenir les fonds
When could refers to a description or a habitual action the imparfait of Pouvoir is used.
Je ..
Je pouvais - I could Tu pouvais - you could Il pouvait. - he could Vous pouviez Ils pouvaient
When could refers to a description or a habitual action the imparfait of Pouvoir is used.
At that time, women could not vote
En ce temps-là, les femmes ne pouvaient pas voter.
When could refers to a description or a habitual action the imparfait of Pouvoir is used.
So young, he was still able to make such a decision.
Si jeune, il pouvait quand même Prendre une telle décision.
When could refers to an idea of the future, hypothesis, suggestion, request the présent du conditionnel of Pouvoir is used.
Je..
Je pourrais
Tu pourrais - I could
Nous pourrions - we could.
When could refers to an idea of the future, hypothesis, suggestion, request the présent du conditionnel of Pouvoir is used.
Could you lend me the book you told me about?
Pourrais-tu me prêter le livre dont tu m’as parlé
When could refers to an idea of the future, hypothesis, suggestion, request the présent du conditionnel of Pouvoir is used.
I could lend you my car.
Je pourrais vous prêter ma voiture.
When could refers to an idea of the future, hypothesis, suggestion, request the présent du conditionnel of Pouvoir is used.
They could learn how to play the clarinet
Ils pourraient apprendre à jouer de la clarinette.
Could, should, would have several different meanings in English. Each time you come across these verbs, try to consider its English equivalent
Our
Should: Devoir, means to ought to… The present conditional or the past conditional is used to express this.
Present conditional.. Je..
Je devrais - i should Tu devrais - you should Il devrait - he should Nous devrions - we should Vous devriez - you should Ils devraient - They should
Should: means to ought to… The present conditional or the past conditional is used to express this.
Passé conditionnel: je..
J’aurais dû - i should have
Il aurait dû - he should have
Nous aurions dû - we should have
Ils auraient dû - They should have
Devoir: to should.
She should relax a bit
Elle devrait se détendre un peu
Devoir- to should
You should have asked him for explanations
Tu aurais dû lui demander des explications.
Do you think Amy should have call you before coming
Pensez-vous que Joliane aurait dû vous appeler avant de venir
Would: when would refers to a repeated action in the past, imparfait is used.
When I was a student, I would read the newspaper everyday.
Quand j’étais étudiant, je lisais les journaux tous les jours.
Would: when would refers to a repeated action in the past, imparfait is used.
When they were teens they would play volleyball on Thursdays.
Quand Ils étaient adolescents, Ils jouaient au volley-ball le jeudi
When would refers to a polite request, the présent du conditionnel is used.
Would you mind showing me the way?
Voudrais-tu me montrer le chemain?
When would refers to a polite request, the présent du conditionnel is used.
Could you help me solve that problem?
Est-ce que tu voudrais biens m’aider à résoudre ce problème?
When would refers to a specific action in the past, passé composé of vouloir is used.
I asked her the questions several times; she would not answer.
Je lui posé la question plusieurs fois; elle n’a pas voulu répondre.
When would refers to a specific action in the past, passé composé of vouloir is used.
They would not do It
Ils n’ont pas voulu le faire
When would refers to an idea in the future, a hypothesis, suggestion, the présent du conditionnel of the main verb is used. The imparfait is used in the si clause.
When would refers to an idea in the future, a hypothesis, suggestion, the présent du conditionnel of the main verb is used. The imparfait is used in the si clause.
Would referring to future,
Hypothesis, or suggestion.
I would tell you if I knew
Je vous dirais si je le savais.
Would referring to future,
Hypothesis, or suggestion.
She would be so happy if he proposed to her.
Elle serait si heureuse s’il la demandait en mariage.
