Primary Longman Elect 4A Chapter 6 could/couldn’t … when …

Couldn’t (Could not) = was not able to do Could / Couldn’t Could / Couldn’t are the past tense forms of can / can’t. Could = was able to do Couldn’t (Could not) = was not able to do

Jack could swim two years ago. Could / Couldn’t Could / Couldn’t are the past tense forms of can / can’t. two years ago Jack could swim two years ago.

I couldn’t play the violin last year. Could / Couldn’t Could / Couldn’t are the past tense forms of can / can’t.  last year I couldn’t play the violin last year.

When We use the connective when to link up two sentences. 4 years old Tom could ride a bike when he was four.

When We use the connective when to link up two sentences. 7 years old Jenny could skip when she was seven.

Key structure I could ride a bike when I was five. couldn’t play the piano The verb after could / couldn’t doesn’t change.

Practice What could the children do when they were young? Susie do ballet / 6 Susie could do ballet when she was six.

Practice What could the children do when they were young? Ben hop / 4 Ben could hop when he was four.

Practice What could the children do when they were young? Willy tidy his toys / 3 Willy could tidy his toys when he was three.

Practice What could the children do when they were young? Peter Jill swim / 7 Peter and Jill could swim when they were seven.

Practice What could the children do when they were young? Danny I play table tennis / 8 Danny and I could play table tennis when we were eight.

Reflexive pronouns Tammy could tie her shoelaces by herself. Doing something by myself/yourself = Doing something without other people’s help Tammy could tie her shoelaces by herself.

Reflexive pronouns Ken couldn’t get dressed by himself. Doing something by myself/yourself = Doing something without other people’s help Alan Ken Ken couldn’t get dressed by himself.

Key structure I could get dressed by myself. He himself. She herself. You yourself/yourselves. We ourselves. They themselves.

Practice What could/couldn’t the children do by themselves when they were five? Carmen couldn’t pack her school bag _________ . You could climb the stairs ____________ . Connie and Cathy could carry their school bags ____________ . David couldn’t tie his shoelaces ____________ . I could do up my buttons _____________ . Betty and I couldn’t comb our hair __________ . You and John could get dressed ____________ . by herself by yourself/yourselves by themselves by himself by myself by ourselves by yourselves

What could/couldn’t you do by yourself when you were young? Tell your friends.

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