50 Sentences with the Modal Verb Could

As an English learner, one of the most important things you can do is learn to use modal verbs correctly. Modal verbs are words like “can,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “must,” “shall,” “should,” “will,” and “would.”

They are used to express possibility, ability, permission, obligation, and more. In this article, we will focus on the modal verb “could” and provide you with 50 example sentences to help you master its usage.

1. Could you please pass me the salt?
2. I could run a mile in under six minutes when I was younger.
3. She could play the piano beautifully.
4. We could go to the beach if the weather improves.
5. He could speak five languages fluently.
6. I could hear the birds singing outside my window.
7. Could you tell me what time it is?
8. I could see the stars shining brightly in the sky.
9. She could have won the race if she had trained harder.
10. We could have gone to the concert but decided not to.
11. He could have been a doctor if he had gone to medical school.
12. I could have sworn I left my keys on the kitchen counter.
13. Could you lend me some money until payday?
14. I could barely hear what he was saying over the noise.
15. She could hardly contain her excitement about the trip.
16. We could help with the project if you’re available.
17. He could feel his heart racing as he approached the finish line.
18. I could sense that something was wrong.
19. Could you explain that again, please?
20. I could smell the delicious aroma of fresh-baked bread.
21. She could never remember where she put her phone.
22. We could see the mountains in the distance.
23. He could barely keep his eyes open after the long flight.
24. I could taste the sweetness of the ripe strawberries.
25. Could you pick up some milk on your way home?
26. I could tell he was nervous by how he fidgeted.
27. She could hardly believe her luck when she won the lottery.
28. We could have saved more money if we had shopped around.
29. He could have avoided the accident if he had been paying attention.
30. I could have used a vacation after working so hard.
31. Could you speak up a bit? I can’t hear you very well.
32. I could feel the warmth of the sun on my skin.
33. She could never understand why people liked spicy food.
34. We could go to the park instead of the museum.
35. He could have been a great actor if he had pursued it.
36. I could have danced all night to the music.
37. Could you open the window, please? It’s stuffy in here.
38. I could see the disappointment in her eyes when she didn’t get the job.
39. She could have been a model with her looks.
40. We could have been lost without a map.
41. He could hear the sound of the waves crashing on the shore.
42. I could smell the smoke from the fire.
43. Could you hold my bag for a moment, please?
44. I could tell that he was lying by the way he avoided eye contact.
45. She could hardly wait for the concert to start.
46. We could use some more volunteers for the charity event.
47. He could have done better on the test if he had studied more.
48. I could have sworn I saw a ghost in the hallway.
49. Could you lend me a hand with this heavy box?
50. I could feel the tension in the air as we waited for the results.

These 50 sentences demonstrate how “could” can be used to express ability, possibility, permission, and past events. By practicing using modal verbs like “could,” you will become more confident in your English skills and better able to communicate with others.

Remember to pay attention to the context in which “could” is used, as this will affect its meaning. You can soon use “could” and other modal verbs with practice and patience.

Azizul Hakim

Azizul Hakim is the founder & CEO of englishfinders.com. He is a passionate writer, English instructor, and content creator. He has completed his graduation and post-graduation in English language and literature.