PAST POTENTIAL TENSE

                       PAST POTENTIAL TENSE

DEFINITION:-

                       Such verb, which modifies the complete power or strength of the subject in doing some work in past time that is called past potential tense.

NOTE:- (1)

                   This tense shows the complete power or strength of the subject in doing some work.

EXAMPLE:-

(1)            He could settle the serious problem.

(2)            I could read a dawn newspaper.

NOTE:- (2)

                “Could” is the helping verb to this tense, which is followed by all the subjects.

NOTE:- (3)

                  First form of the verb is used in this tense.

FORMATION:-

SUBJECT	H.VERB	M.VERB	OBJECT
HE	could	win	the election
Police	could	arrest	the dacoit

= He could win the election.

= Police could arrest the dacoit.

CONJUGATION

I could fight.

We could fight.

You could fight.

He could fight.

She could fight.

It could fight.

They could fight.

ASSERTIVE

(1)            He could plot against me.

(2)            I could pass over your faults.

INTERROGATIVE

(1)            Could he plot against me?

(2)            Could I pass over your faults?

NEGATIVE

(1)            He could not plot against me.

(2)            I could not pass over your faults.

INT & NEG

(1)            Could he not plot against me?

(2)            Could I not pass over your faults?

NOTE:-

           “Could” is used to express permission, Ability, Power, Authority, offer and Polite request.

EXAMPLES:-

(1)            PERMISSION:-

(i)                          He could use my towel.

(ii)                       You could read my magazine.

(2)          ABILITY:-

(i)                          Akram could read out me an English letter.

(ii)                       Anwar could solve this difficult sum.

(3)          POWER:-

(i)                          He could shake the tree.

(ii)                       I could box him down.

(4)          AUTHORITY:-

(i)                          The director could appoint him, as a primary teacher.

(ii)                       The commissioner could dismiss you from the service.

(5)          OFFER:-

(i)                          I could serve you better.

(ii)                       We could give you good services.

(6)          POLITE REQUEST:-

(i)                          Could you please, tell me a funny story?

(ii)                       Could you please, give me your telephone set?

 MODEL SENTENCES

(1)            You could sit on the desk.

(2)            Could you buy a new bike?

(3)            At what time could you see me?

(4)            He could improve his profession.

(5)            I couldn’t meet to you.

(6)            Police could arrest you.

(7)            I couldn’t give you my new car.

(8)            What could you about me?

(9)            His friends could come tomorrow.

(10)      I could help you.

(11)      Could you please, give me your pen?

(12)      Could you please, tell me your name?