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Pructus Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Could, meaning past

Hello....

I learned from Grammar books that "could" in the meaning of Past, is to be used only when the context shows that the situation is in the past.

So, without any context, the sentence "I could drive a car, but I did not." seems to be awkward or ungrammatical....

It should be "I was able to drive a car" or "I could have driven a car".

I'd like some advice....
  

Top answer

pructus It should be "I was able to drive a car" or "I could have driven a car". I agree. Avoid the simple past of 'can' when you can, since it so often is ambiguous.

— Mister Micawber

  • pructus It should be "I was able to drive a car" or "I could have driven a car".
  • I agree.
  • Avoid the simple past of 'can' when you can, since it so often is ambiguous.
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4 Answers
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pructusIt should be "I was able to drive a car" or "I could have driven a car".
I agree. Avoid the simple past of 'can' when you can, since it so often is ambiguous.
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I see.....

Thanks a lot, Mister Micawber!!
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Mister MicawberI agree. Avoid the simple past of 'can' when you can, since it so often is ambiguous.
To me, it's not clear what it is that you agree with.
Do you, Mister Micawber, specifically agree that it is awkward or ungrammatical to say "I could drive a car, but I did not" and that it should be, as pructus suggests, "I was able to drive a car, but I
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Hello...

In what meaning do you understand, "I could drive a car, but I did not"?

I was able to OR I could have driven?
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