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Question
Study the different uses of ‘could’. Identify what it indicates.
Abhi could perform well in his school days. (suggestion/past ability)
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Solution
past ability
Explanation:
Here, ‘could’ serves as the past tense of ‘can,’ expressing that Abhi had the talent or capacity to achieve good results during a specific time that has already ended. It is not a suggestion because the sentence states a fact about his prior capabilities rather than offering advice for a current or future situation.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Do as directed.
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Fill in the blank with appropriate modal auxiliaries according to the situation given in the following sentence.
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In the above examples, the modals indicate the expressions given in brackets. There are other modals that are used for expressions.
Study the given table carefully and do the activities that follow.
| Modals less definite to more definite | Expressions |
| can, could | ability |
| should | advise, obligation |
| shall, will | futurity, determination |
| would | habitual past, request |
| may, might | permission, possibility |
| must, have to | compulsion |
| used to | habitual past |
| ought to | obligation |
| need to | necessity |
| dare to | courage |
(a) Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals according to the situations given in the following sentences.
- Take an umbrella. It _______ rain later.
- People _______ walk on the grass.
- _______ I ask you a question?
- The signal has turned red. You _______ wait.
- I was a sportsperson in my school days. I ________ play badminton.
- I am going to the library. I _______ find my friend there.
(b) Find from the text, the sentences that show past habit.
Write the shortened form of the following.
It is
Write the shortened form of the following.
You are
Write the shortened form of the following.
will not
Study the different uses of ‘could’. Identify what it indicates.
We could go on an excursion, if we didn’t have exam. (suggestion/condition)
Supply short answer (Pronoun + Auxiliary Verb).
Isn’t it a dandy?
Pick out the modal auxiliary and state its function:
Could I use your computer for surfing net ?
