use of modal verb "could"

Question

Hi, Please check the usage cases of the modal verb "could."

1. When I was ten years old. I could play tennis well.

2. For three years before entering college, I could play tennis well.

3. Three years before becoming a ten-year-old, I could play tennis well.

4. A year prior to today, I played tennis well. -- It seems the use of 'could play' here wrong or awkward at best.

Ant_222 · Accepted Answer

IMHO it is OK.

Just think of it as past time of "can".

What is it that you don't like?

Neeraj Jain · Answer

All sentences seem okay to me.

CalifJim · Answer

could play is all right. You can also use used to be able to play.

When I was ten years old, I used to be able to play tennis well.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you, CalifJim. Would you say that only context would tell whether the modal verb use of 'could' is referring to the present or is referring to the past?

I could play tennis well -- could be interpreted as referring to a person's present state ability -- how he can play tennis well now; but, it could mean how he could play tennis well in the past if some part or parts preceding it or following it indicate that. Right?

Neeraj Jain · Answer

For referring to a person's present state ability, I believe, you will say "I can play tennis well." Right?

Marius Hancu · Answer

Both past and present/future:

One year ago, I could play tennis well. Not these days .... Past.

If I enroll in that course, I could, at the end of it, play tennis quite well. Hypothetical future

Should I enroll in that course, I could, at the end of it, play tennis quite well. Hypothetical future.

Neeraj Jain · Answer

Hi Maris,

If I have just one sentence:

I could play tennis well.

can it be used to refer to the present tense?

Yankee · Answer

AnonymousHi, Please check the usage cases of the modal verb "could."

1. When I was ten years old. I could play tennis well. You had the general ability to play tennis well at the age of ten. It is not clear from this sentence alone whether or not you still play tennis well.

2. For three years before entering college, I could play tennis well. This sentence suggests to me that you did not have the general ability to play tennis well before or after the time period mentioned.

3. Three years before becoming a ten-year-old, I could play tennis well. This sentence sounds awkward and forced because a normal and much easier wording would be "I could play tennis well when I was seven." (for example)

4. A year prior to today, I played tennis well. -- It seems the use of 'could play' here wrong or awkward at best. To me, this sentence suggests one specific instance of having played tennis well. However, the broader context might alter that interpretation.

Anonymous · Answer

Marius HancuBoth past and present/future:

If I enroll in that course, I could, at the end of it, play tennis quite well. Hypothetical future

Dear Marius Hancu,

Shouldn't enroll be enrolled?

Best,

BarbaraPA · Answer

No, your prior post was correct.

I could play tennis well (past). It's possible you still play tennis well because you are referring to a time in the past and it makes no comment about how well you play today. When I was only 10, I could play tennis as well as my coach. But then I broke my wrist and I've never been able to get my game back. OR And I'm still quite good today, although now that I'm 80, I've slowed down a bit.

I can play tennis well (present).

use of modal verb "could"

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