The verb
pouvoir is used in
Le Conditionnel Présent to express
could. It uses the same irregular stem as the
Le Futur Simple:
pourr-
Have a look at these sentences:
Je pourrais certainement obtenir un rendez-vous.I could certainly get an appointment.
Pourrais-tu me passer le sel?Could you pass me the salt?
Il pourrait aller à l'université s'il le voulait.He could go to university if he wanted to.
Nous pourrions manger chinois pour changer.We could eat Chinese for a change.
Pourriez-vous l'épeler pour moi, s'il-vous-plaît?Could you spell it for me, please?
Ils pourraient gagner cette année.They could win this year.
pourr- + endings of
L'Imparfait:
-ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient
The
je form has the same pronunciation as in
Le Futur Simple. Look for the context:
I will be able to vs
I could.
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