Written Language II

Mauro Corbalan

Modals- Ability

1) He could drive a car when he was 18.

Since the communicative need is to refer to the possession of ability
in a particular time of the past, the linguistic choice to use would be
COULD.
2) I found that I could understand ---- could speak it.(when I first
arrived)
Since the communicative need is to refer to the possession of ability in
a particular time of the past, the linguistic choice to use would be
COULD. These are potential performances, we dont know if they
actually were carried out.
3) I could have let you have the money yesterday.
Since the communicative need is to refer to a potential past ability
which wasnt performed, the linguistic choice to use would be
COULDVE. It gives a conditional idea. If he had asked me, I couldve
let him have the money.
Is the possession of ability in particular circumstances.
4) You couldve persuaded him last week- If anyone could.
Since the communicative need is to refer to a potential past ability
which wasnt performed, the linguistic choice to use would be
COULDVE. . It gives a conditional idea.
In the second part, le linguistic choice is once more COULD, because
the communicative need is to refer to the possession of ability in a
particular circumstance. It is a potential past ability.
5) My daughter could play the piano- at one time.
The linguistic choice is COULD, because the communicative need is to
make reference of the possession of ability in particular
circumstances.
6) You could see- he was bored last night.
In this case the communicative need is to refer the possession of
ability in a particular circumstance, so the linguistic choice is COULD.
However, this is an actual performance due to the fact that, the ability
to see and the actual performance of seeing are inseparable.
COULD + verbs of perception
____________________________________________.

7) I couldnt get into- I had forgotten my key

Since the communicative need is to refer to lack of ability at a particular
circumstance, the linguistic choice is COULD + NOT.

Written Language II

Mauro Corbalan

Modals- Ability

8) We could overhear every word.

In this case the communicative need is to refer the possession of ability
in a particular circumstance, so the linguistic choice is COULD.
However, this is an actual performance due to the fact that, the ability
to hear and the actual performance of hearing are inseparable.
COULD + verbs of perception
____________________________________________.
9) The doctor could have seen you yesterday.
Since the communicative need is to refer to a potential past ability
which wasnt performed, the linguistic choice to use would be
COULDVE. It gives a conditional idea.
10) I could suggest one way.
In this case the communicative need is to refer the possession of ability
in a particular circumstance, so the linguistic choice is COULD

11) I could well understand how you felt.

In this case the communicative need is to refer the possession of ability
in a particular circumstance, so the linguistic choice is COULD.
However, this is an actual performance due to the fact that, the ability
to understand and the actual performance of understanding are
inseparable.(?9

12) I couldnt but I could have got it done.

Since the communicative need is to refer to lack of ability at a particular
circumstance, the linguistic choice is COULD + NOT.
Since the communicative need is to refer to a potential past ability
which wasnt performed, the linguistic choice to use would be
COULDVE. . It gives a conditional idea