| OBLIGATON IN THE PAST: (I had to ...) Had to: the past form of �have to� PRESENT PAST I have to work hard this year. I had to work hard last year. She has to do the cleaning today. She had to do the cleaning yesterday. STUDY THE DIALOGUES BELOW Positive form: Subject + had to + verb1... You are late! I�m sorry, I had to help my father. Why didn�t you come to the match? I had to study for tomorrow�s test. Why were you in a hurry this morning? I had to catch the train. Why did you go to bed late? I had to finish my homework. Negative form: Subject + didn�t have to + verb1... How was your holiday? It was great. I didn�t have to get up early. I didn�t have to go to school. I didn�t have to worry about tests and exams. It was really good. Hey! You are early. Yes, we didn�t have to wait very long for the bus. I�m very surprised. How did Jack finish the work in such a short time? He didn�t have to do it on his own. His friends helped him. Question form: Did + subject + have to + verb1...? Did you have to wear a suit to the meeting? No, I didn�t. It was an informal meeting. Why did you have to walk home last night? My car broke down and I couldn�t find a taxi. Where did Ann have to go yesterday afternoon? To the dentist. She had a bad toothache. |
| ABILITY IN THE PAST (I could do...) Could: the past form of �can� PRESENT PAST I can swim. I could swim when I was ten. He can play the piano. He could play the piano when he was eight. Positive form: Subject + could + verb1... George was good at sports when he was at school. He could play football and basketball well. And he could run very fast. My grandfather could speak five foreign languages. I could read and write when I was five years old. Negative form: Subject + couldn�t + verb1... I couldn�t play well yesterday and I lost the match. Kate couldn�t come to the party, because she had to work. I had a toothache last night. So I couldn�t sleep. Question form: Could + subject + verb1...? Could you speak to English tourists last year? No, I couldn�t. My English wasn�t so good then. Could Brian ride a horse when he was a little child? Yes, he could. What sports could you do when you were at school? I could play volleyball well. |
| Could (Permission and Requests) 1. Asking for permission: We use �could� to ask for permission. It is more polite or formal than �can�. We do not use �could� to give permission. �Could I ask you something?� �Yes, of course you can.� �Could I use your telephone, please? �Certainly.� �Could I leave the office early today? �I�m sorry you can�t.� 2. Requests: We use �could� to ask people to do things. �Could you shut the door, please?� �Sure.� �Could you lend me ten pounds until tomorrow? �Certainly.� �Could you help me finish the report?� �Sorry, I�m too busy.� |