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My question is only about THE PAST.

Could (in the past)- we use it to state a fact or talk about an ability. He couldn't hear us. I couldn't swim when I was a kid. Am I right? Do we also use could in different situations?

Could have (in the past)- is only for stating some probability. Something happened or not. She could have gone to work. It's possible that she's there but we're not certain. Is that right? Do we use could have in different situations in the past?

What I say here it only works like that with could right? I mean should is only used in the presence and future and should have is for the past thus only could can be used in the past presence and future. Is the only modal which behaves like that? Is that right?

train bee 282
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  • Could have is not only for probability. I could have gone to university if I had worked harder. (Meaning - I was lazy and didn't get good enough exam results.) – Kate Bunting Nov 27 '23 at 09:25
  • Ok thank you and what about mu last questions ? – train bee 282 Nov 27 '23 at 09:37
  • You could have helped and You should have helped are both past tense. The only difference is that interpreted literally, the first is about possibility / capability (what you might have done / were able to do), whereas the second is about recommendation / duty (what you ought to have done). But in practice, in conversational contexts, You could have helped me! is usually an even more bitter / emphatic complaint than You could have helped me! – FumbleFingers Nov 27 '23 at 12:25

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Yes - should refers to the present ("You should be able to see it through the telescope") or the future ("You should bring your sister next time you come").

Should have refers to the past. ("I should have brought my umbrella").

Kate Bunting
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