MODAL VERB

«COULD»
Modal verbs are:
will
might
must
can
would

should
may
could
shall
We use modals to show if we believe something is certain,
possible or impossible:

1. My keys must be in the car.

2. It might rain tomorrow.

3. That can't be Peter's coat. It's

too small.
Modal verbs are different from normal verbs:

1. They don't use an 's' for the third person singular.

2. They make questions by inversion ('she can go' becomes 'can

she go?').

3. They are followed directly by the infinitive of another verb

(without 'to').
We also use them to do 1. May I ask a question?
things like talk about
ability, ask permission, and
make requests and offers: 2. Could I have some tea, please?

3. Would you like some help?

ANYWAY, WE WOULD LIKE TO
FOCUS ON THE VERB “CAN” IN
CONTEXT OF DOUBT AND
UNCERTAINTY.
The modal verb «can» or its past tense
form «could»

 are used in interrogative sentences to express the

speaker's doubt or uncertainty about something.

At the same time, it may express a greater degree of uncertainty

(the person doubts even more) than «can».
 IN THIS SENSE, WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE
PRESENT TENSE, WITH “CAN” AND “COULD”, A
SEMANTIC VERB IS USED IN THE FORM OF A
SIMPLE INFINITIVE AND A CONTINUOUS
INFINITIVE.

1. Could she be right? - Is she right?

2. Can she tell the truth? - Is she telling the truth (now)?
 WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE PAST TENSE, THE
METHOD OF A PERFECT AND COMPLETELY
CONTINUOUS INFINITIVE OF A SEMANTIC VERB IS
USED.

1. Could she have been right? - Was she right?

2. Could she live with him for 5 years? - Is it really true that she lived
with him for 5 years?
Sources:

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/english-grammar-reference/modal-verbs

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/modal-verbs.html

https://grammarway.com/ru/can-could