Fill in the blanks.
1What shall we do tonight? We ............... a movie.
Wrong!
Use "could watch" to make a polite suggestion about now or the future.
2I was very hungry. I ............... an elephant.
Wrong!
Use "could eat" for an exaggerated feeling in the past or in an imagined situation.
3This is a beautiful place. I wish I ............... here forever.
Wrong!
After "I wish", use "could stay" for an unreal wish about the present.
4She ............... be telling the truth, but I don't think she is.
Wrong!
Use "could" to show that something is possible but not certain.
5The weather ............... change at any time in the mountainous regions.
Wrong!
Use "can" for a general possibility that is true at any time.
6I was so angry. I ............... him.
Wrong!
Use "could have killed" for a strong past feeling about something that did not actually happen.
7I ............... anyone I wanted to, but I chose to stay single.
Wrong!
Use "could have married" for a past possibility that did not happen.
8You needn't have stayed in a hotel. You ............... with us.
Wrong!
Use "could have stayed" for a past possibility that was not used.
9If you needed help tomorrow, you ............... me.
Wrong!
Use "could call" for a possible future situation after "if you needed help".
10She ............... walk when she was just 9 months old.
Wrong!
Use "could" to talk about general ability in the past.
11If you like, we ............... go for a walk.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Use "can" or "could" to make a suggestion about now or the future.
12We had a great time. It ............... better.
Wrong!
Use "could not have been" to say that the past situation was as good as possible.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- What shall we do tonight? We could watch a movie.
- I was very hungry. I could eat an elephant.
- This is a beautiful place. I wish I could stay here forever.
- She could be telling the truth, but I don’t think she is.
- The weather can change at any time in the mountainous regions.
- I was so angry. I could have killed him.
- I could have married anyone I wanted to, but I chose to stay single.
- You needn’t have stayed in a hotel. You could have stayed with us.
- If you needed help tomorrow, you could call me.
- She could walk when she was just 9 months old.
- If you like, we can / could go for a walk.
- We had a great time. It could not have been better.

