Soal Uraian Bab II

1. Analyze the meaning of could by giving the examples.

2. Analyze the following sentences:

You must stop when the traffic lights turn red; He must be very tired. Hes been working all
day long.

3. Make some sentences consists of probabilities.

Use could in a sentence

The definition of could is often used in the place of "can" to show a little doubt.

An example of could is someone asking if they can help someone.

An example of could is saying that something is able to happen if someone does something.

could
pt. of can: he gave what he could give

used as a modal auxiliary in verbal phrases with present or future time reference, generally equivalent
to can in meaning and use, with the following functions:

expressing esp. a shade of doubt or a lesser degree of ability or possibility: it could be so

expressing a lesser degree of permission: could I go?

forming the present conditional: it would help if he could wait

forming the past conditional: he would have left if he could

expressing or suggesting politely less certainty than can: could you wait?
 Origin of could
altered (infl. by would, should) from Middle English coud from Old English cuthe (akin to Gothic kuntha,
Old High German konda, Old Norse kunna), past tense of cunnan, to be able: see can

pt. of can: he gave what he could [Obs.] pt. of can

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to
learn how "could" behaves in different contexts.

Positive Forms Negative Forms Also

Modal Use
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future use:

1. John could be the one who stole 1. Mary couldn't be the one who
the money. stole the money.

could 2. John could have been the one who 2. Mary couldn't have been the one might,
possibility stole the money. who stole the money. may

3. John could go to jail for stealing 3. Mary couldn't possibly go to jail

the money. for the crime.

1. Even if I had more time, I couldn't

1. If I had more time, I could travel
around the world.
could
2. If I had had more time, I could
conditional
have traveled around the world.
of can
3. If I had more time this winter, I
could travel around the world.
travel around the world.
2. Even if I had had more time, I
couldn't have traveled around the
world.
3. Even if I had more time this
winter, I couldn't travel around the
world.

1. NO PRESENT FORM

2. You could have spent your vacation

could
in Hawaii. NO NEGATIVE FORMS
suggestion
3. You could spend your vacation in
Hawaii.

could I could run ten miles in my twenties. I couldn't run more than a mile in my be able
past ability
 twenties.
I could speak Chinese when I was a
kid. I couldn't speak Swahili.

"Could" cannot be used in positive "Could" can be used in negative

sentences in which you describe a to
sentences in which you describe a
momentary or one-time ability. momentary or one-time ability.

Yesterday, I could lift the couch by Yesterday, I couldn't lift the couch by
myself. Not Correct myself. Correct

Couldn't he come with us?

Could I have something to drink?
could Couldn't you help me with this for can,
Could I borrow your stapler?
polite just a second? may,
request Requests usually refer to the near might
Requests usually refer to the near
future.
future.

REMEMBER: "Could not" vs. "Might not"

"Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen. "Might not" suggests you do not
know if something happens.

Examples:

Jack might not have the key. Maybe he does not have the key.

Jack could not have the key. It is impossible that he has the key.

"Could" is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests. "Could"
is also commonly used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of "can."

Examples:

Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city. possibility

Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11. past ability

You could see a movie or go out to dinner. suggestion

Could I use your computer to email my boss? request

We could go on the trip if I didn't have to work this weekend. conditional

Using "Could" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn
how "could" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use Positive Forms

1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future Negative Forms

1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future Also use:

could

possibility 1. John could be the one who stole the money.

2. John could have been the one who stole the money

3. John could go to jail for stealing the money.

1. Mary couldn't be the one who stole the money.

2. Mary couldn't have been the one who stole the money.

3. Mary couldn't possibly go to jail for the crime.

might,may,could,conditional

of can 1. If I had more time, I could travel around the world.

2. If I had had more time, I could have traveled around the world.

3. If I had more time this winter, I could travel around the world.

1. Even if I had more time, I couldn't travel around the world.

2. Even if I had had more time, I couldn't have traveled around the world.

3. Even if I had more time this winter, I couldn't travel around the world.

could
suggestion 1. NO PRESENT FORM

2. You could have spent your vacation in Hawaii.

3. You could spend your vacation in Hawaii.

NO NEGATIVE FORMS

could

past ability I could run ten miles in my twenties.

I could speak Chinese when I was a kid.

"Could" cannot be used in positive sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability.

Yesterday, I could lift the couch by myself. Not Correct

I couldn't run more than a mile in my twenties.

I couldn't speak Swahili.

"Could" can be used in negative sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability.

Yesterday, I couldn't lift the couch by myself. Correct

be able to.could

polite request Could I have something to drink?

Could I borrow your stapler?

Requests usually refer to the near future.

Couldn't he come with us?

Couldn't you help me with this for just a second?

Requests usually refer to the near future.

can,may,might

REMEMBER: "Could not" vs. "Might not"

"Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen. "Might not" suggests you do not
know if something happens.

Examples:

Jack might not have the key. Maybe he does not have the key.

Jack could not have the key. It is impossible that he has the key.

Adverbials of probability
We use adverbials of probability to show how certain we are about something. The most frequent
adverbials of probability are:

certainly - definitely - maybe - possibly

clearly - obviously - perhaps - probably

maybe and perhaps usually come at the beginning of the clause:

Perhaps the weather will be fine.

Maybe it wont rain.

Other adverbs of possibility usually come in front of the main verb:

He is certainly coming to the party.

Will they definitely be there?

We will possibly come to England next year.

but after am, is, are, was, were:

They are definitely at home.

She was obviously very surprised.

- Perhaps you could talk to him

-the accident was clearly my fault.

- they may possibly cancel the events

-have you definitely decided to quit?

-they will certainly win the election.

-maybe we should start again.

-he said he would definitely be there.