Could est le passé de l’auxiliaire modal Can. On l’utilise pour exprimer ce que l’on savait faire dans le passé (capacité passée) ou pour demander quelque chose encore plus poliment qu’avec can.
1. La Capacité au Passé
On utilise Could pour parler d’un talent ou d’une aptitude que l’on avait avant.
| Sujet | Conjugaison | Exemple |
|---|---|---|
| I / You / He / She / It / We / They | Could + verbe | I could swim when I was five. |
- When I was young, I could run very fast.
- She could speak three languages ten years ago.
2. La Forme Négative : Couldn’t
Pour dire ce que l’on ne savait pas faire, on utilise Could not ou sa forme contractée Couldn’t.
- I couldn’t walk until I was two years old.
- They couldn’t find the house yesterday.
3. La Forme Interrogative
On place Could au début de la phrase.
- Could you swim when you were a child?
- Where could they stay in London?
4. La Politesse (Requêtes)
Au présent, Could est utilisé pour faire des demandes très polies. C’est plus formel que Can.
- Could you help me, please? (Pourriez-vous m’aider ?)
- Could I have a glass of water?
5. Réponses Courtes
- Could she play the piano? -> Yes, she could. / No, she couldn’t.
💡 Attention !
Comme pour Can, le mot Could ne change jamais (pas de -s, pas de -ed) et il est toujours suivi d’un verbe à la base (sans “to”).
- Erreur : I could to dance. -> Correction : I could dance.
À toi de jouer ! ✍️
Complète avec could or couldn’t.
À toi de jouer ! ✍️
#1 When I was three, I (ne pas) read.
#2 you speak English five years ago?
#3 My grandmother sing beautifully when she was young.
#4 I (ne pas) finish my homework last night, it was too difficult.
#5 you help me with this door, please? (poli)
#6 We (ne pas) go to the beach yesterday because of the rain.
#7 When he was a student, he study for 10 hours.
#8 I see the stage because a tall man was in front of me.
#9 I use your computer for a moment, please?
#10 She swim very well when she was a child.
#11 They (ne pas) hear the music, it was too quiet.
#12 you tell me the time, please?
#13 I (ne pas) sleep last night.
#14 My brother play football very well before his accident.
#15 you repeat that, please?