talk about abilities in past

1. Could and couldn’t
abilities

2. Today is ____________________
unit 4 grammar: could / couldn’t
We use could followed by the base
form of the verb to talk about
abilities people develop in the past.
This means they know or learn how
to do something in the past

3. We use COULD to mean that we were able
to do something in the past.
Example:
When he was 1, he could walk.

4. Affirmative example :
SUBJECT MODAL
VERB
Can in past
VERB
BASE FORM
COMPLEMENT
I Could cook vegetable soup when I
was in third grade
I could play Soccer when I was in
kindergarten
I could say “hello” in Japanese
since the last year

5. Activity 1:
Re-write the sentences using “could”
1. Karla went to school in a rainy day.
2. Ray climbed up to a palm tree.
3. I saw a concert on TV.
4. My family came in bus.
5. They said “goodbye” in
Chinese

6. Activity 1:
Re-write the sentences using “could”
1. Karla could go to school in a rainy
day.
2. Ray could climb up to a palm tree.
3. I could see a concert on TV.
4. My family could come in bus.
5. They could say “goodbye” in
Chinese

7. We use COULDN'T to mean that we
weren't able to do something in the
past.
Ex: When she was 1, she couldn't
speak

8. Negative example:
SUBJEC
T
MODAL VERB
CAN + not in past
VERB
BASE FORM
COMPLEMENT
I couldn’t shout very loud because
I’m shy
I couldn’t look behind me I have a
neck ache
I couldn’t hit the boxing pear it
was to high
I couldn’t cut Triangles until I was
8