Learn English Grammar: How to use the auxiliary verb 'COULD'
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 พ.ค. 2024
- In this grammar lesson, you will learn about the many uses of the auxiliary verb "could" in English. I will teach you how to use it correctly when speaking about the past, the conditional, and even when making polite requests for the future. For example, do we say "Can you tell me" or "Could you tell me"? What about "I could have been" or "I could of been"? I will give you many examples of how it can be used in different contexts. Even native English speakers use "could" incorrectly, so watch this video to avoid making common mistakes! Next, take the quiz: www.engvid.com/auxiliary-verb...
Watch my lesson how to use the auxiliary verb 'WOULD': • Learn English Grammar:...
TRANSCRIPT
Hello. I'm Gill at www.engvid.com, and today we have a lesson on an auxiliary modal verb: "could", the use of "could". So, there are two ways... Well, we have five ways that it's used here, but "could" comes either from as the past tense of the verb "can", which is also an auxiliary modal verb, "can": "could" in the past; or it's used as an auxiliary verb with other verbs combined. So, sorry that sounds very complicated, but I hope it comes clearer with the sentences to illustrate how it can be used. Okay.
So, first of all, just to show the simple past tense of "can", if I can do something: I can do something today, yesterday I could do it as well; or I couldn't do it yesterday, you could use the negative as well. So, first sentence, then: "At one time"-in the past-"I could run a mile and not get out of breath". So, to get out of breath is when you've been running a lot, and then you can't... You're breathing very quickly and you have to wait for your body to get back to normal. And if you're running, also, it might be painful and you have to stop, so that's getting out of breath. Okay? So: "At one time in the past I could run a mile." I can't say now in the present I can run a mile, because I can't, okay? But in the past, at one time, I could run a mile and not get out of breath. Okay, so that's just the past tense of "can".
But then the other four examples are where it's used as an auxiliary modal verb with different ways of using it. So we have four different ways of using it, here. First of all, number two is a polite request. So, instead of: "Can I...?" you say: "Could I...? Could I borrow your pen, please, just for a moment? Could I borrow your pen, please?" If you say: "Can I...?" it's okay, but it's not quite as polite. So if you really want the person to say: "Yes, of course", if you're polite they are more likely to let you borrow their pen. So: "Could. Could I please?" So we've got: "Could I" and we also have "please" at the end. Or you could put: "Please" near the beginning: "Please. Please could I...? Could I please...?" Any order. "Can I borrow your pen, please, just for a moment?" So that's a polite request. Okay.
And then the third sentence is when you're saying that something is possible. You're telling somebody something is possible if... If they do something, so this is called a conditional. Okay. And that... We have lots of video lessons on conditionals, so do have a look for those. So, here is an example: "You could get good marks in the exam if you study every day." So, the conditional: "Could" often uses "if", because you have a choice. Are you going to study every day and get good marks in the exam, or are you going to maybe study once or twice a week and then you get to the exam and you don't do so well, or what's your choice? So this is your teacher, your tutor might tell you: "You could get good marks in the exam if you study every day", if you work hard regularly every day. So that's a possibility, a conditional. Right.
So, then number four, this is a polite way of maybe giving a criticism or suggesting something isn't right, there's a mistake, or something may have gone wrong. If you say: "I could be wrong, but... I could be wrong, but I think there's a mistake (an error) in these figures." So if you're looking at some accounts, and the figures in columns and they're supposed to add up accurately, and you look at it and you think: "This doesn't look right." If you're an accounting genius, you can maybe see immediately something isn't right; the figures don't balance or something. So... But you don't want to say: "Oh, that's wrong. That's not right." You don't want to be so direct, so you're very careful that when you begin your sentence: "I could be wrong, but I think..." So you're not saying: "I know. I can see there's a mistake there." You wouldn't say that. "I think there's a mistake (an error) in these figures", so it's a polite way of suggesting there could be a mistake. "I could be wrong, but..." Okay. Useful phrase.
And then, finally, in this first half of the lesson, when somebody is saying they could have done something or they could have been something, a profession: "I could have been a ballet dancer, but something happened to stop me." […]
If you haven't already, watch my other lesson, on how to use the auxiliary verb 'WOULD': th-cam.com/video/Imfmh66zlX8/w-d-xo.html
THANKS A MILLION !!!
I must your help
Thanks.
I am still learning inglish @ 48
Thanks mam..
Thank you too much this lesson help us .
Gill,can you guide me which sentence is correct?
1) I assist the firemen with the investigation of the cause of the fire alarm activation.
2) I assist the firemen with the investigation of the cause of the activation of the fire alarm .
I watch the video just to listen to her beautiful accent.
Extraordinário Leitor Ordinário and her sweet voice! 😍
It's like the sweet granny I never had (my two grannies are harsh cool badass woman)
I always pretend she is naked
Thank you so so much
Squirrel ASMR gross!
I coulda be a math-Teacher, I coulda speak English fluently, I coulda be happier but my fate was written in another way. "C' est la vie" "When I was a little girl I asked my mother what I will I be....que sera, sera. Whatever will be will be. The future's not ours to see what will be, will be. " I am in the end of my seventies and this song was new when I was twenty and I used to sing it. My father didn't like it and he said to me : Don't believe it, it's not true: " Whatever will be will be" - you had to form your life. But events of our history formed my life better than I coulda.
I LOVE THIS TEACHER GILL, THE ENGLISH LADY IS THE BEST FOR ME!! A LOT OF RESPECT FOR THIS WOMEN. WITH LOVE FROM RUSSIA
I could be wrong but i think there is a mistake in word (women)..
If I may:
The bit : A lot of respect for this women should be ' I have a lot of respect for this woman'
@Mohammad Hamadi Me TOO
@@lottiewilliams8412 Me too.
Me too
I love this extraordinary Lady. She is much more than a teacher.
Thank you very much for your help.
I can listen to her voice for all day. What beautiful accent. I wish could have an accent like this.
I could be wrong, but your lecture is the most useful one I've ever watched in TH-cam :)
Exactly!..
Please to meet you and thanks !
I could have been a contender rather than nobody. Leaning languages is now my cup of tea. Have a blessed filled day!
Many thanks, Gill, your classes are so helpful. You speak clearly with the right tone and rhythm. 🙏
It's Very good to listen a soft english. It's easy to learn. Thanks so much.
I love your accent,it's lovely
Yes is good
Hello dear how are you doing
Hi sister I'm Indian
@@FFgamer-do5fq nice I'm from Florida so tell me what do you do for a living
You are the real grammar teacher because you are british and knows english well than other teachers.
Very beautiful voice!!!
And so sexy for her age.
@@SquirrelASMR 🤦🤦😂
@@gusion8677
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I love listening to your videos. You're such a gentle, polite and amiable person and your lessons are always well-structured, clear and entertaining. Keep up the good work!
You're right also I loved her videos
An exrodinary teacher.I love listening your videos.A gentle voice ,nice ,smoothly.Long live to you.
Am teacher in Africa but for real ur best teacher ever seen before
God bless u
I respect this noble lady very much.Her simple detailed explanations enable even stupid students to understand the material.Thanks a million.VL
I love your accent. It is clear and beautiful.
I think so too
the best teacher i have ever seen. my honour and respect to her.
"could have... it's a conditional where it's already in the past and it's too late now. You can't go back and change it."
I felt that.
No worries! We all have regrets, but it's best not to dwell on what you could've done... focus on what you can do!
To be honest I have watched loads of english lessons on youtube but your one is the best, thanks I clearly understood it, it is because your voice is evidently beautiful , calm and soft that makes us learners eager to hear more or watch more :) x thanks again Jill
I admire her beacuse she is so lovely
It really thrills me to see adorable women like you with such an amazing smile, i really would love to learn more about you but if you dont mind for to be friend request thank you 👍😊❤️🌹🇪🇬
It's so calming, beautiful and lovely. I learned a lot from you and thank you for that!!!💜
Hi madam
I'm very pleasured to participate in your teaching english class.
When i was young, i've took part at learning english class.
And then i didn't have more time to take part again to learn advanced level of english courses..
When i watched you in your videos , it seems i ' m borned again.
I feel your sound and your face and your accent are more lovely and seems more kindly.
I respect to you for all you do for others to learn more.
I want my god more health and more good life for you.
You’re the best, greetings from Colombia.
Gill, it's a wonderful session.You are a great teacher indeed. It helped me to rectify grammatical errors and misconceptions in English grammar.
Best teacher in English I have never seen before.lovely
Absolutely in love with this lady and her lessons. Thank you very much!
If l had a teacher like you,l would not speak broken English, thanks for your channel helping me a lot.
Gill is an excellent teacher. Gill, I love you and thank you very much.
I don't know why, but I understand every words only when speake this Lady. The best teacher for me.
I don’t know why,but for me it is most useful teacher on you tube
A most precise and clear diction. It sets a highly qualitative pattern for students of all levels.
Thank you Gill your lessons are really helpful, I am brushing my English up and with your support is getting easier.
Even now we could do something if you really want.
I never forget you. Great.
I love your way of teaching.. A very good accent, pronunciation and wonderfully explained.. I am delighted.. I found you a couple of days ago and I have to admit that your traditional method works, besides you are natural and you also show yourself as a good-humored woman.. Thanks for everything, greetings from Spain..
Me too I love this
Hello
Let talk
Hi I'm Indian
Thank you Gill . You are the best teacher I have ever followed.
I love your lessons!! even when the topic seems easy I learn something new.. Love your accent too !
Best teacher ever she is explaining so nicely I like so much thanks mam you best teacher love you mam a
I've found a great teacher with her wonderful lessons here. Thank you, Ms. Gill.
The best English teacher ever ...........
I like the way you are teaching ,you are doing good job for english learners
Thank you very much😍 me too, I love your video and your prononciation helps me to understand English.
I'm 61years old, I speak Russian, Arménien and French. I Have studied English for 10yers (😅), but I can't it speak very wel, but I think you will me help!!!
I do enjoy learning English with you.
Take care and keep up your amazing work.
Thank you so so much Gill ❤️
Do not worry it all becomes very simple thanks to you. À Perfect teacher
She seems to be kind and polite in her presentation, which I admire the most. Totally, she seems to be a nice lady. Kindness and politeness always brings a cool look and a totally positive personality.
Watching your videos serves as many purposes as one can even imagine when he somehow starts and continues with it,that too ,at the same time.oow!how I love it myself!
I could learn english through your videos
Thank you Gill. I adore your accent! You are such a wonderful teacher! Keep on going!!
English is not my mother tongue... but with this teacher I am sure things are going to be most easier
You are the jest teacher. Greetings from Poland.
Thank you I really do appreciate it you’re absolutely brilliant and admire your own way to teach English.
I think You’re the best teacher ever... I live in London since 2018 ... I have to say thank you to you my English is improving... many thanks
Hello mrs. Gill. I am Nicollas. Congratulations. Your videos are very good. I am Brazilian and I am a student of english in my school. I will want speak English!!!
Thank you, Gill!
Very usefull examples for this word with many meanings.
You are perfect teacher thank you so much for your help ❤ 😊 🙏 ♥ 💕
I have some internet friends from the UK who write 'could of' all the time and I thought it was just a slang (? or just something about the accent) in there or something. I live in an Asian country where English is a foreign language and even though I speak English very well, I still could be wrong. This is why I still watch videos like this even when I already know about it and pronounce things ☺
This is a great video, btw! Thank you for the free class ♥
"Could of" is one of my pet peeves! People make this mistake all the time, because the proper, "could've" sounds as they spell it. Totally wrong and very happy that you became aware of it 😆
This Lady is pure Gold ❤
she is soo sweet(tutor) .I love the way she explains it.
She’s best master of English !!!
I am Azerbaijanian . Thank you for the beautiful lesson . Good look .
Yes mom Gill
All your explanation are really clear for me. Best teaching how to inprove english esspecially for people which is english is not as mother tounge.
Thank you mom.
I love the way you teach, thank you so much!
Thanks Gill! Your lessons are always useful!
I truly appreciate and enjoy your teaching methods. Even though English is not my native language, this lessons sure do refresh and polish my pronunciation and grammar. Thank you
Very useful lesson.Instead of saying 'a full minute',I think it would be right to say 'a minute'.
You could definitely say, "a minute," but saying, "a full minute," is simply an emphasis :) Hope that helps!
Wow! I'm from Tanzania. I really love your accent and the way you 're teaching. Be blessed
Millions of thanks Gill. It is very clear.
You are a good teacher, thank you very much, respect for what you do!
Thank you so much Gill.Ilearn a lot from your lessons,videos and I wonder when I listen to you I understand every thing but when I listen to other british people I don't. Your pronunciation is very clear and nice .I live in the since 3years.we need more and I appreciate your efforts. Thanks a lot again and billions like for you👍👍👍👍
Thank you very much for this lesson , very useful . Could you please make more videos like this? The conditionals are hard for me and I want to use them more in my conversation!!!
You are the best English tutor I have ever seen, I really follow the way you speak as I like your accent
big admirer of this beautiful lady , love the way she explains everything with love, affection and great accent too
I could have given this video a thumbs up, but I already have!
well said
Very clear and practical lesson, thanks Gill.
I think you have a good voice and good pronunciation. I wish I had a good English teacher like you when I was young.
Thanks Gill for your lesson. Very clear as always!
for the first time to me i understand everything you talked about it .thank you very much .
Thanks you are a great teacher . You have a excellent 👍 Way of teaching. Thanks.
She is always polite. I could have left already if had not heard the word 'polite' hahahaha. Thanks Gill. You are so adorable.
Well, Gill, I find your lessons not only useful, but relaxing in a way... I mean before going to bed. Thank you, and just keep on like this.
Thank You very much 'Mother" for teaching us wonderful topics .
Thank you so much for teaching English. I happened to see this video by chance and found it wonderful. God bless.
Hello, Gill! I appreciate your videos, I am always watching them. Thank you for everything!
You are the best teacher for all of the world! Thank you, so much!👍⚘
you are the best teacher whom i have heard
She is so cute and genteelly teacher. I just found her and I’m so glad and thankful!! I appreciate you!! From Brazil - Rio de Janeiro - Gabriela
Your lessons are very clear! I love it!
The teaching style is very beautiful thank you very much
Gill!!! I love you, I understood everything!!! I can't believe it. Love you!!!. This is my first video, so now I'm suscribed :) Thanks for your time.
Can I talk to you?
Me understand more from this teacher. Love how she explain.
You are a great teacher. Thank you so much. I could have been somebody rather than no body, but I do
not use this pattern any more. I learnt to live now.
I really like your accent and clarity in your delivery. In my language ( Indonesian) it says kereeeeen! Thanks so much
I do really like this amazing teacher
Gill... I found you yesterday... and I am to confess that your English accent is fantastic...
And your explanations are very clear and useful. With love from Brazil
Thanks Gill. You are a star now.
Cool. Commends from Ukraine. Such a lesson could help me badly in English education. Beautiful.
Thanks, dear! From Brazil🇧🇷
I love your teaching so much. Many thanks.
I really like the way you teach, it's very easy to understand. Thank you very much.
I would like to say that your teaching is very clear and easy to understand. Thank you so much teacher
I just love your lessons! Best teacher ever 💞💞💞 Greetings from Chile !
She teaches with ease!
Thank you my dear to teach me grammar because this has been a big problem for me in my English lessons. you are the best, regards from Chile