could
The English word “could” expresses several distinct ideas, including past ability, successful past opportunity, present or future possibility, polite suggestion, permission, hypothesis, and unreal past events. French does not have a single equivalent. Translation depends on function and context, most commonly using forms of pouvoir, the conditional mood, or other structures.
Past ability in general
When “could” refers to a general or habitual ability in the past, French uses the imperfect of pouvoir.
Examples:
- Je pouvais courir très vite enfant.
I could run very fast as a child. - Elle pouvait lire sans lunettes à l’époque.
She could read without glasses at the time. - Nous pouvions voyager librement.
We could travel freely.
This use describes capacity, not a specific completed event.
Specific past ability or opportunity that occurred
When “could” refers to a concrete past situation in which the action was actually possible and typically realised, French uses the passé composé of pouvoir.
Examples:
- J’ai pu finir le rapport à temps.
I could finish the report on time. - Elle a pu entrer sans attendre.
She could get in without waiting. - Nous avons pu discuter calmement.
We could talk calmly. - Il a pu voir le médecin le jour même.
He could see the doctor the same day.
English often allows “could,” “was able to,” or “managed to” in these contexts. French distinguishes this use clearly through tense choice.
Contrast between imperfect and passé composé
The distinction is meaning based.
Examples:
- Je pouvais conduire la nuit. I could drive at night.
General past ability. - J’ai pu conduire jusqu’à Paris. I could drive to Paris.
Successful completion in a specific case.
Another contrast:
- Elle pouvait venir quand elle voulait. She could come whenever she wanted.
- Elle a pu venir hier soir. She could come last night.
Present or future possibility
When “could” expresses that something is possible now or later, French uses the present or conditional of pouvoir.
Examples:
- Ça peut marcher. That could work.
- Il peut pleuvoir ce soir. It could rain tonight.
- Cela pourrait poser problème. That could cause a problem.
- Elle pourrait arriver en retard. She could arrive late.
Alternatives:
- Il est possible que + subjunctive
Il est possible qu’il pleuve. - Peut-être que
Peut-être qu’elle viendra.
Polite suggestions
“Could” is frequently used to soften suggestions. French typically uses the conditional.
Examples:
- Tu pourrais essayer autrement. You could try another way.
- On pourrait se voir demain. We could meet tomorrow.
- Vous pourriez commencer par ici. You could start here.
Alternatives:
- Pourquoi ne pas
Pourquoi ne pas attendre un peu. - Il serait possible de
Il serait possible de reporter la réunion.
Polite requests
In requests, “could” signals politeness rather than time or ability. French uses the conditional of pouvoir or indirect question forms.
Examples:
- Tu pourrais m’aider. Could you help me.
- Pourriez-vous fermer la porte. Could you close the door.
- Est-ce que tu pourrais répéter. Could you repeat.
Alternatives:
- Est-ce que tu veux bien
Est-ce que tu veux bien m’aider. - Ça te dérangerait de
Ça te dérangerait de fermer la fenêtre.
Permission
When “could” refers to permission, French generally uses pouvoir.
Examples:
- Je pourrais partir plus tôt. I could leave early.
- On pourrait entrer. Could we come in.
- Tu pourrais utiliser mon téléphone. You could use my phone.
Alternatives:
- Avoir le droit de
Tu as le droit de partir. - Être autorisé à
Il est autorisé à entrer.
Hypothetical or unreal situations
When “could” describes a theoretical or unreal situation, French uses the conditional, often with a si clause.
Examples:
- Je pourrais accepter, mais je ne veux pas. I could accept, but I don’t want to.
- On pourrait vivre ailleurs. We could live somewhere else.
- Si j’avais le temps, je pourrais venir. If I had time, I could come.
Alternative:
- Être capable de in conditional contexts
Il serait capable de le faire.
Tentative opinions and speculation
“Could” often softens an opinion or introduces speculation. French uses the conditional or probability markers.
Examples:
- Ce pourrait être une erreur. That could be a mistake.
- Il pourrait avoir raison. He could be right.
- Cela pourrait expliquer le problème. That could explain the problem.
Alternatives:
- Il se peut que + subjunctive
Il se peut qu’il ait raison. - Peut-être que
Peut-être que c’est une erreur.
“Could have” and unreal past events
English “could have” refers to past possibilities that did not happen. French uses the conditional past of pouvoir.
Examples:
- J’aurais pu t’aider. I could have helped you.
- Elle aurait pu réussir. She could have succeeded.
- On aurait pu éviter ça. We could have avoided that.
Negative forms
Negative uses are frequent and important.
Examples:
- Je ne pouvais pas comprendre. I couldn’t understand.
General past inability. - Je n’ai pas pu le joindre. I couldn’t reach him.
Failed attempt in a specific case. - Je ne pourrais pas venir. I couldn’t come.
Hypothetical or polite refusal.
Idiomatic English uses requiring reformulation
Some English expressions with “could” do not translate literally.
Examples:
- I couldn’t care less. Je m’en fiche complètement.
- That couldn’t be better. On ne peut pas faire mieux.
- I couldn’t agree more. Je suis entièrement d’accord.
Summary
- “Could” has multiple meanings that French expresses through tense, mood, and structure.
- The imperfect of pouvoir expresses general past ability.
- The passé composé of pouvoir expresses a specific past opportunity or successful ability.
- The conditional is central for politeness, suggestion, hypothesis, and speculation.
- Unreal past events use the conditional past.
- Many idiomatic uses require reformulation rather than literal translation.
