We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. 4. (used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you tried. 4. 10. 5. Find out which word to choose and when. 4. (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? (I was so angry) you could have warned me! Find out which word to choose and when. Related Words and Phrases See Also What is the opposite of could? 3. In this sense, could refers to some ability that someone had in the past. We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. (I was so angry) you could have warned me! Would: Past tense of will; expresses something happening in the past or in an imaginary or hypothetical situation Could: Past tense of can; shows the potential or ability of something happening While they're clearly different, their usage in a sentence isn't always as clear. I wish I could've been there to see him open his presents. Webcould (kd; unstressed kd) v. 1. a pt. You could [= might, may] be making the biggest mistake of your life! Yesterday, I couldnt find my wallet anywhere but this morning I found it. Webcould modal verb (SHOULD) used for saying, especially angrily, what you think someone else should do: Well, you could try to look a little more enthusiastic! In this sense, could refers to some ability that someone had in the past. Use COULD and COULDNT for ability in the past Could and couldnt are the past forms of can and cant: When I was younger, I could run a mile in 7 minutes. Thesaurus / could FEEDBACK could See definition of could on Dictionary.com verb preserve fruit, vegetable verb be able verb fire from job synonyms for could Compare Synonyms keep bottle put up antonyms for could MOST RELEVANT cannot employ hire SMART Vocabulary: palavras e frases relacionadas Gramtica Can, could or may: typical errors Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We I hate to ask you for another favor, but I wonder if I could pay you to drive me home. ( Ability in the Past) Examples: I could speak four languages when I was younger. 2. Now it takes me 20 minutes! Verb Expressing a present possibility Verb Used to express a request where voluntary compliance is expected Find more words! 3. WebNeed synonyms for could? Learning the difference between "can" vs. "could" and when to use each one couldn't get any easier! For example, In high school, I could dunk a basketball. (used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you tried. Could is the past tense of can, a verb used to denote ability. A few weeks wouldn't mean the difference in paying for college, and she could use the time to relax. The difference between could and would are presented in the points given below: Could is the past tense form of the verb can which indicates a past ability of someone or possibility of an action or happening. WebCould Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster could auxiliary verb kd, kud past tense of can used in auxiliary function in the past We found we could go. Now it takes me 20 minutes! , in the past conditional We said we would go if we could. Could cannot be used with another 10. The difference between could and would are presented in the points given below: Could is the past tense form of the verb can which indicates a past ability of someone or possibility of an action or happening. He could play football well when he was a kid. Thesaurus / could FEEDBACK could See definition of could on Dictionary.com verb preserve fruit, vegetable verb be able verb fire from job synonyms for could Compare Synonyms keep bottle put up antonyms for could MOST RELEVANT cannot employ hire This could be our only chance to get out of here. In my prime, I could bench press 250 pounds. I waited ages for you - you could have said that you weren't coming! 8. They could be at home. Could is a verb with many senses. me dieron ganas de pegarle! Learning the difference between "can" vs. "could" and when to use each one couldn't get any easier! Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. Web2. 8. , and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present Sentences with the word could (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? (used to express possibility): That could never be true. WebPossibility and impossibility. of can 1. auxiliary verb. Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We He could play football well when he was a kid. We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. Webcould modal verb (SHOULD) used for saying, especially angrily, what you think someone else should do: Well, you could try to look a little more enthusiastic! (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.) I waited ages for you - you 2. could / ( kd) / verb (takes an infinitive without to or an implied infinitive) used as an auxiliary to make the past tense of can 1 used as an auxiliary, esp in polite requests or in conditional It is used to express that someone is able to do something in the past. could (kd; unstressed kd) v. 1. a pt. 1. In my prime, I 4. She could not ( couldnt ) drive a car. She could not ( couldnt ) drive a car. Yesterday, I couldnt find my wallet anywhere but this morning I found it. They could be at home. 2. Verb Expressing a present possibility Verb Used to express a request where voluntary compliance is expected Find more words! Could is the past tense of can, a verb used to denote ability. Advertisement , and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present Apparently time had caught up with Mom before she could finish. could modal verb (SHOULD) used for saying, especially angrily, what you think someone else should do: Well, you could try to look a little more enthusiastic! Need synonyms for could? A few weeks wouldn't mean the difference in paying for college, and she could use the time to relax. WebCould is a verb with many senses. You could [= might, may] be making the biggest mistake of your life! Webcould've contraction: colloquial, abbreviation (could have) potere v : I could've been someone, you know. WebWould: Past tense of will; expresses something happening in the past or in an imaginary or hypothetical situation Could: Past tense of can; shows the potential or ability of something happening While they're clearly different, their usage in a sentence isn't always as clear. This medicine could help your cold. WebCould: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. could modal verb (SHOULD) used for saying, especially angrily, what you think someone else should do: Well, you could try to look a little more enthusiastic! (= Maybe they are at home.) WebCOULD Synonyms: 47 Synonyms & Antonyms for COULD | Thesaurus.com Find Out! The evidence is not conclusive, but he could (very well) be right. Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead. (= Maybe they will come by car.) 2. I could have hit him! Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. I hate to ask you for another favor, but I wonder if I could pay you to drive me home. cmo has podido! I could have hit him! WebUsage see: can. 2. Apparently time had caught up with Mom before she could finish. (= Maybe they will come by car.) It is used to express that someone is able to do something in the past. Usage see: can. 1. SMART Vocabulary: palavras e frases relacionadas Gramtica Can, could or may: typical errors WebI could swim well at that age a esa edad nadaba muy bien ; I could hear them talking los oa hablar ; I could have tried harder poda haberme esforzado ms ; he couldn't have been kinder fue de lo ms amable ; how COULD you! 2. a used to say that something is possible. This medicine could help your cold. Could Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster could auxiliary verb kd, kud past tense of can used in auxiliary function in the past We found we could go. This could be our only chance to get out of here. Using COULD COULD and/or COULDNT is used as the past tense of CAN and/or CANT. (used in asking for permission): Could I borrow your pen? His recovery could take months. Just read our guide on these commonly confused words. Just read our guide on these commonly confused words. Advertisement His recovery could take months. (= Maybe they are at home.) Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. ( Ability in the Past) Examples: I could speak four languages when I was younger. I waited ages for you - you could have said that you weren't coming! , in the past conditional We said we would go if we could. WebUsing COULD COULD and/or COULDNT is used as the past tense of CAN and/or CANT. WebUse COULD and COULDNT for ability in the past Could and couldnt are the past forms of can and cant: When I was younger, I could run a mile in 7 minutes. For example, In high school, I could dunk a basketball. WebCould: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. (used in asking for permission): Could I borrow your pen? Webcould / ( kd) / verb (takes an infinitive without to or an implied infinitive) used as an auxiliary to make the past tense of can 1 used as an auxiliary, esp in polite requests or in Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. of can 1. auxiliary verb. 2. The evidence is not conclusive, but he could (very well) be right. 5. (used to express possibility): That could never be true. cmo has podido! I wish I could've been there to see him open his presents. Possibility and impossibility. 2. I could swim well at that age a esa edad nadaba muy bien ; I could hear them talking los oa hablar ; I could have tried harder poda haberme esforzado ms ; he couldn't have been kinder fue de lo ms amable ; how COULD you! Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead. (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.) Related Words and Phrases See Also What is the opposite of could? me dieron ganas de pegarle! Sentences with the word could 2. a used to say that something is possible. I waited ages for you COULD Synonyms: 47 Synonyms & Antonyms for COULD | Thesaurus.com Find Out! Could cannot be used with another We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. could've contraction: colloquial, abbreviation (could have) potere v : I could've been someone, you know.