Page 94 - BASIC GRAMMAR PRACTICE

Modals

• couldn't: (i) wasn't able to:
I'm sorry, I couldn't come yesterday.
I couldn't go to work this morning.
could/couldn't (ii) used in the second conditional [> Exercise 59}
If you gave me the money, could I do the shopping?
• Requests: both can and could are used in requests. Could is a little more
polite:
Can I have a. glass of water, please?
Could you open the door for me, please?

Notes
• can refers To the future if it is followed by a time word {next week, tomorrow, etc):
I can do it for you next month.
• In the negative: can —* can't or cannot
could —* couldn't or could not.

Practice

Complete these sentences using can or could. If two answers arc possible, write
them both.

1 .Could.. n't you find John yesterday?
2 .Can/.Could. I come and see you tomorrow?
3 you pass me the salt, please?

4 you play the guitar?
5 Why 't the children go to the cinema tonight?
6 you help me with my suitcase, please?
7 you drive my car if you had to?
8 you answer the phone for me?

9 Why 't you come to the disco tomorrow?
10 It was very difficult to hear; I n't understand what
she was saying.

11 I smoke in here?
12 We had an appointment yesterday afternoon, but he n't
see me.
13 I do the job for you next year.
14 you tell me the time, please?

15 I n't find my front door key last night.