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Thus far, we have seen that
the modal auxiliary could is used
in several very different ways:
(1) as an "artificial" past form
that
occurs when sentences with can
are used in indirect
(reported) speech and the
main verb is past; (2) in making
polite requests in present or future time; and (3)
in showing
ability
(but not permission)
in the past.
A fourth way to use could is showing possibilities in present
or future
time. (The degree of possibility shown by could is
less than the degree of possibility
shown by may.)
Examples:
Aren't you going to answer
the phone? It could be
an important call!
(It's possible, though not
likely, that the call is
an important one.)
__________________________________________
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A:
B:
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Why can't I access my e-mail?
I don't know. There could be a problem
with
the server, I guess.
|
(It's
possible, though not likely, that there is a problem
with
the e-mail server.)
__________________________________________
It was cooler today and there were
a few dark clouds.
We could
have some rain tomorrow.
(It's possible, though not
likely, that there is going to be
rain tomorrow.)
________________________________________________
Special
Notes:
| 1. |
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Could is sometimes used in with affirmative ( + )
comparatives
to give a special meaning. When could
is used in this way, the meaning is something like
not
very:
I could
be better. =
I'm not very
well.
This soup could be hotter. =
This soup isn't very hot.
My house could be cleaner. =
My house isn't very clean.
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| 2. |
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Could is also used iwith negative ( - ) comparatives
to give
a special meaning, but the meaning is quite
from
the meaning with affirmative comparatives.
In
this situation, could
means something
like
as ___ as it's possible to be (or very
___ ):
I couldn't
be better. =
I'm as well as it's possibile to
be
(in other words, very well).
This soup couldn't be hotter. =
The soup is as hot as
it's possible to be
(in other words, very hot).
My house couldn't be cleaner. =
My house is as clean
as it's possible to be
(in other words, very clean).
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| 3. |
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Couldn't is also used in present or future
time
to indicate that something seems impossible:
|
A:
B:
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Did you know that Frank is
in England?
He couldn't
be in England! I saw
him
just a few minutes ago!
|
|
A:
B:
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Do you realize that it's almost
midnight?
It couldn't
be that late! The
last time
I looked at the clock, it was only 8:00
PM!
|
|
A:
B:
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Fred's daughter is going to
be 16 tomorrow.
She couldn't
be that old! I saw
her only
a few years ago, and she was just a baby!
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