Past perfect of "can"

[Dany]

Hello,

I got a question again.

Is it possible to use "could + 3rd form of the verb" as past perfect of "can"? If not, what is the past perfect of can?

In my book there isn't given a 3rd form of "can".

Example: We could rent a car. (Is this sentence correct?)


Thanks in advance,
Dany

[doltcrow]

Aloha

well, it depends on what you want to say.
Let me try to explain.

Situation #1
Your friend bought called a boy whom she is into. She COULD have written a letter to him.

So you use COULD + have + pp main verb because it describes an hipothetical sitatuation which you WISH it had happen but it didn'.t


Situation #2
In a restaurant, you need a fork.
You call the waiter and ask him "Could you please bring me another fork?"

You use COULD in this situation for making requests politly.



I am kinda sleepy so I cant figure any other example into my sleepy tired mind.
LOL


I hope I helped you.


Cheers,
RC/DC

[Tdol]

We could have rented a car = we had the chance but didn't
We had been able to rent a car = the renting took place before another past action, so this is the way to make a past perfect with 'can', as it doesn't have a past participle.

[Dany]

Thanks a lot for you explanation.

Kind regards,
Dany