Could / Couldn't (A1)

Nimm could + Grundform des Verbs für etwas, das du in der Vergangenheit tun konntest. Kein to nach could: I could swim, nicht I could to swim.

could + Grundform

• When Amina was five, she could swim.
• Hiroshi could ride a bike at six.
• I could read when I was four.
• Not "She could to swim." — say "She could swim.". Zwischen could und dem Verb steht nichts – kein to.
• Probier es: When Amina was five, she ___. (could swim / could to swim / could swimming) Antwort: could swim — Nach could folgt die Grundform des Verbs ganz allein: could swim. Nach could steht kein „to“ und kein „-ing“.

Gleich für alle (kein -s)

could verändert sich nie. He, she, it verwenden ebenfalls could, und das Verb dahinter hat kein -s.

• I could speak English.
• She could speak English.
• They could speak English.
• Not "She could speaks English." — say "She could speak English.". Selbst bei she bleibt das Verb in der Grundform – niemals could speaks.
• Probier es: When she was young, Sofia ___ French. (could speak / could speaks / coulds speak) Antwort: could speak — Could bekommt nie ein -s, und auch das Verb danach bleibt in der Grundform: could speak (nicht „could speaks“ oder „coulds“).

Verneinung: couldn't

Für etwas, das du nicht tun konntest, nimmst du couldn't + Grundform des Verbs. (couldn't = could not.)

• She couldn't find her keys.
• I couldn't swim when I was three.
• They couldn't come yesterday.
• Not "She couldn't found her keys." — say "She couldn't find her keys.". Nach couldn't steht die Grundform des Verbs: find, nicht found.
• Probier es: Hiroshi ___ his keys this morning. (couldn't find / couldn't found / didn't could find) Antwort: couldn't find — Die Verneinung heißt couldn't + Grundform des Verbs: couldn't find (nicht „couldn't found“ und nicht „didn't could“).

Fragen: Could an den Anfang

Für eine Frage stellst du Could vor die Person, gefolgt von der Grundform des Verbs.

• Could you swim at five?
• Could she speak French?
• What could you do?
• Not "Did you could swim?" — say "Could you swim?". Für eine Frage steht Could am Anfang, du brauchst kein 'did'.
• Probier es: ___ you ride a bike when you were six? (Could / Did could / Were) Antwort: Could — Beginne die Frage mit Could vor der Person: Could you ride a bike? Vor could setzt man kein „did“.
• Probier es: Remember what follows could, As a child, Lani ___ a bike. (could ride / could rides / could to ride) Antwort: could ride — Nach could steht immer die Grundform des Verbs: could ride. (Jedes Mal ohne -s, ohne „to“, ohne „-ing“.)