UNIT 27 • Could (do) and could have (done)

Nov 10, 2016

Answer the questions with a suggestion. Use ‘could’.
- Where shall we go for our holidays?
  We (to Scotland)
- What shall we have for dinner tonight?
  We (fish)
- What shall I give Ann for her birthday?
  You (her / book)
- When shall I phone Angela?
  (her / now)
- When shall we go and see Tom?
  (him / on Friday)
- Where shall we hang this picture?
  (it / in / kitchen)
Put in ‘can’ or ‘could’. Sometimes either word is possible.
- ‘The phone is ringing. Who do you think it is?’ ~ ‘It . . .
  could
  be Tim.’
  - could
  - can
- I’m really hungry. I . . .
  could
  eat a horse!
  - can
  - could
- If you’re very hungry, we . . .
  can
  have dinner now.
  - can
  - could
- It’s so nice here. I . . .
  could
  stay here all day but unfortunately I have to go.
  - can
  - could
- ‘I can’t find my bag. Have you seen it?’ ~ ‘No, but it . . .
  could
  be in the car.’
  - could
  - can
- Peter is a keen musician. He plays the flute and he . . .
  can
  also play the piano.
  - could
  - can
- ‘What shall we do?’ ~ ‘There’s a film on television. We . . .
  could
  watch that.’
  - could
  - can
- The weather is nice now but it . . .
  could
  change later.
  - could
  - can
Complete the sentences. Select ‘could’ or ‘could have …’ + a suitable verb.
- A: What shall we do this evening?
  B: I don’t mind. We . . .
  could go
  to the cinema.
  - could go
  - could have gone
- A: I had a very boring evening at home yesterday.
  B: Why did you stay at home? You . . .
  could have gone
  to the cinema.
  - could have gone
  - could go
- A: There’s an interesting job advertised in the paper. You . . .
  could apply
  for it.
  B: What sort of Job is it? Show me the advertisement.
  - could apply
  - could have applied
- A: Did you go to the concert last night?
  B: No. We . . .
  could have gone
  but we decided not to.
  - could go
  - could have gone
- A: Where shall we meet tomorrow?
  B: Well, I . . .
  could come
  to your house if you like.
  - could come
  - could have come
Read this information about Ken:

Ken didn’t do anything on Saturday evening.
Ken was short of money last week.
Ken doesn’t know anything about machines.
Ken’s car was stolen on Monday.
Ken was free on Monday afternoon.
Ken had to work on Friday evening.
Some people wanted Ken to do different things last week but they couldn’t contact him. So he didn’t do any of these things. You have to say whether he could have done or couldn’t have done them.
- Ken’s aunt wanted him to drive her to the airport on Tuesday.
  He because his car
- A friend of his wanted him to go out for a meal on Friday evening.
  Ken because he
- Another friend wanted him to play tennis on Monday afternoon.
  Ken
- Jack wanted Ken to lend him £50 last week.
  He £50 because he
- Jane wanted Ken to come to her party on Saturday evening.
  He
- Ken’s mother wanted him to repair her washing machine.
  He because he

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