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?
