COULD

COULD is the past form of the modal CAN. 

It expresses somebody's ability that lasted longer in the past:

Emma could play the piano when she was four.

Ben could read when he was five.

The children could swim when they were quite young.

It also shows some past opportunity:

In those days they had a car so they could travel very easily.

We use COULD in polite requests:

I wonder if you could explain something to me.

Could you show me the way?

Could you help me, please?

Compare the uses in the present and past:

- ability (She can read Arabic. --> She could read Arabic when she was four.)

- prohibition (You can't smoke there, it's not allowed. --> They couldn't smoke there.)

- request (Can you help me, please? --> Could you help me, please?)

- invitation (Can you come to the cinema? --> Could you come to the cinema?)

- permission (Can I open the window? --> Could I open the window?)

Translate into English:

1. Možete li da dođete na žurku?

2. Nadamo se da možemo naći vremena da ih opet posetimo.

3. Ne mogu da odu dok se Tom ne vrati.

4. Znate li da vozite kola?

5. Uzmite koliko možete da ponesete.

6. Zašto ne možete da ostavite dete na miru?

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of CAN and COULD:

1 Baby _____ walk when she was a year old.

2 Jane _____ talk when she was a year old, but she _____ now.

3 Mary _____ go to school today because of her cold.

4 Meg _____ speak French when she was a child, but now she _____.

5 Sam _____ play tennis very well now, but he _____ play quite well when he was younger.

6 Lisa _____ sing now, but she _____ sing very well when she was a child.

Put the sentences into the past:

1 Jack can't help Stella.

2 Can you make some tea?

3 Can I look at your photos?

4 He can't remember the address.

5 I can't go there.