Unit 27. Could (do) and could have (done).
Unit 27; Part A
![galka.jpg galka.jpg](https://english-globe.ru/images/stories/books/galka.jpg)
• Listen. I can hear something. (now)
• I listened. I could hear something. (past)
![26.1.jpg 26.1.jpg](https://english-globe.ru/images/stories/grammar/26.1.jpg)
Butcould is not only used in this way. We also use could to talk aboutpossible actions now or in the future (especially to make suggestions).
For example:
• A: What shall we do this evening?
B: We could go to the cinema.
• A: When you go to Paris next month, you could stay with Julia.
B: Yes, I suppose I could.
Can is also possible in these sentences ('We can go to the cinema.' etc.). With could, the suggestion is less sure.
Unit 27; Part B
![galka.jpg galka.jpg](https://english-globe.ru/images/stories/books/galka.jpg)
• I'm so tired, I could sleep for a week. (not I can sleep for a week)
Compare can and could:
• I can stay with Julia when I go to Paris. (realistic)
• Maybe I could stay with Julia when I go to Paris. (possible, but less sure)
• This is a wonderful place. I could stay here for ever. (unrealistic)
Unit 27; Part C
![galka.jpg galka.jpg](https://english-globe.ru/images/stories/books/galka.jpg)
• The story could be true, but I don't think it is. (not can be true)
• I don't know what time Liz is coming. She could get here at any time.
Unit 27; Part D
![galka.jpg galka.jpg](https://english-globe.ru/images/stories/books/galka.jpg)
• I'm so tired, I could sleep for a week. (now)
I was so tired, I could have slept for a week. (past)
• The situation is bad, but it could be worse. (now)
The situation was bad, but it could have been worse. (past)
Something could have happened = it was possible but did not happen:
• Why did you stay at a hotel when you were in Paris? You could have stayed with Julia.
(you didn't stay with her)
• I didn't know that you wanted to go to the concert. I could have got you a ticket.
(I didn't get you a ticket)
• Dave was lucky. He could have hurt himself when he fell, but he's OK.
Unit 27; Part E
![galka.jpg galka.jpg](https://english-globe.ru/images/stories/books/galka.jpg)
• I couldn't live in a big city. I'd hate it. (= it wouldn't be possible for me)
• Everything is fine right now. Things couldn't be better.
For the past we use couldn't have (done):
• We had a really good holiday. It couldn't have been better.
• The trip was cancelled last week. Paul couldn't have gone anyway because he was ill.
(= it would not have been possible for him to go)
Exercises
![]() | Unit 26 Unit 27 Unit 28 | ![]() |
Вашеавто заботится о вас, вашем удобстве и комфорте – и вы ответьте заботойсвоему автомобилю. Автокниги Ауди или подробное руководство по ремонту, эксплуатации и техническому обслуживанию Вашего авто вы найдете на www.redvanov.net