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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Modal "could"

Hi. Would you say the following is correct?

I think the modal "could" is used for the past of the modal "can" here. Doesn't "could" express something she was able to do at a moment? If so, would you say this is not within the domain of the modal "could" use (that is, not correct in terms of its use)?

When she came home yesterday, she could tell he was angry.

Yesterday, she could tell he was angry.
  

Top answer

Hi, Both of your examples are fine. As regards 'at a moment', you seem to have the wrong idea. There's nothing wrong with saying something like Last year, I could walk to work.

— Clive

  • Hi, Both of your examples are fine.
  • As regards 'at a moment', you seem to have the wrong idea.
  • There's nothing wrong with saying something like Last year, I could walk to work.
  • However, this year I can't, because I moved.
  • Best wishes, Clive
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3 Answers
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Hi,

Both of your examples are fine.

As regards 'at a moment', you seem to have the wrong idea.

There's nothing wrong with saying something like

Last year, I could walk to work. However, this year I can't, because I moved.

Best wishes, Clive
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Could is the past form of the auxilliary verb (modal) "can" (meaning be able to). It is used as a modal in past tense forms.

When I was younger, I could run a mile in six minutes.

Your sentences are fine examples.
AnonymousWhen she came home yesterday, she could tell he was angry.

Yesterday, she could tell he was angry.
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Anonymous I think the modal "could" is used for the past of the modal "can" here.
Yes.
AnonymousDoesn't "could" express something she was able to do at a moment?
Yes, in a way, but not exactly. The idiom "can tell" is like "know" (by observing). So if she "could tell", she "knew" (by observing). This is not the same as "f
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