In this sense, could refers to some ability that someone had in the past. For example, You would take Broadway. As you can see, the choice is gone from the sentence, so it is no longer a suggestion. Heres an example of could to talk about future possibilities: Do you have any ideas for our publicity campaign?, Yes, Ive got a few ideas. 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. Just read our guide on these commonly confused words. could've contraction: colloquial, abbreviation (could have) potere v : I could've been someone, you know. Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English. We use couldnt have + -ed form as the negative form of must have + -ed. 1. Related Words and Phrases See Also What is the opposite of could? Could I have a map of the subway, please? (You didnt call I think you should have called.). You'd look great! We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. In both of these examples, could is being used to express an ability that the speaker had in the past. Verb Expressing a present possibility Verb Used to express a request where voluntary compliance is expected Find more words! Is this year's Sundance sales frenzy a direct result of last year's little-movie-that-could? If you were to put would into one of those same sentences, it turns it into a command rather than a suggestion. But, when we use would, there is no question where the vacation will be. Conflicting, positive or strongly held? Could is more formal and polite than can: We dont use could to give or refuse permission. Could and would are related, but they mean different things. It was stuck. Both would and could are modal auxiliary verbs, which are better known as a form of helping verbs. In this sense, could refers to some ability that someone had in the past. You could have gone to the park with your friends if you had finished your homework on time. Find out which word to choose and when. 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 looks dangerous. , in the past conditional We said we would go if we could. 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. cmo has podido! Accessed 18 Jan. 2023. If you want to say that it is impossible that something was true, you use could not have. , in the past conditional We said we would go if we could. Not: We hired a car and we could drive 1,000 miles in one week. She could not ( couldnt ) drive a car. If I were to take a vacation, it could be somewhere tropical, but it also could be somewhere coldperhaps Colorado to go skiing. Thats not good you should go to the doctor., I want to make more friends, but I dont know how. Just read our guide on these commonly confused words. It couldnt be true. In high school, I could do my homework on the bus. I could have hit him! In this sense, could refers to some ability that someone had in the past. Using the word opinion. Instead you use might not have or may not have. Senior defensive linemen Mike Morris and Mazi Smith are both also entering the NFL draft, which makes a minimum of four starters in coordinator Jesse Minter's defense who, The finding demonstrates how the observatory, In March 2021, the supreme court ruled the incriminating statements made by Julie Jensen that were revealed after her death, Neither Bain nor Deleveaux expressed particular concern about the knock-on effects FTX, The planet, called TOI 700 e, is orbiting around a star and, Now, a study published January 10 in the journal Hypertension offers even more evidence of the positive health outcomes that sodium reduction, and as a polite or less forceful alternative to, Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. Nglish: Translation of could for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of could for Arabic Speakers. Usage see: can. When you are making a suggestion, you are offering a possibility. We use could when reporting clauses with can as past events: They told us we could wait in the hallway. We dont use dont/doesnt/didnt with could: We can use the full form could not in formal contexts or when we want to emphasise something: Fabio was frightened. (used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you tried. That ugly fellow who swore at me the day before was in the boat, and I c-, He was all innuendo and strange hints and whispered secrets, and I-, She was awfully shocked,or pretended to be,and wrote me a very O-dear-how-, He might go and tell Willy all about it; he would ask him to interfere-, These are (Paul says) lima beans Munchausen, and here we have. Usage see: can. Follow these quick and easy guidelines to never get confused again. Would and could can also be used together to show certainty and possibility like: I would go on vacation if I could get the time off. For example, In high school, I could dunk a basketball. (used to express possibility): That could never be true. We use could when reporting clauses with can as past events: They told us we could wait in the hallway. 2. The negative form of could is couldnt. By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions Now, take a look at the difference between "would" and "could" in polite expressions. 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. Future: other expressions to talk about the future, Future: present continuous to talk about the future (, Future: present simple to talk about the future (, Verb patterns: verb + infinitive or verb + -, Modality: other modal words and expressions, Conjunctions: causes, reasons, results and purpose, Relative clauses referring to a whole sentence, Relative clauses: defining and non-defining, Forming negative statements, questions and imperatives. We often use could have + -ed form to express disapproval or criticism: You could have called to say you would be late. For example: When I was younger, I could ride my bike home in 10 minutes. This medicine could help your cold. His recovery could take months. Hear a word and type it out. Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We 4. (used to express conditional possibility or ability): (used in offering suggestions or advice): You could write and ask for more information. The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. Do you think Batman could beat Superman in basketball? Can expresses strong possibility: The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. If I were to take a vacation, it would be somewhere warm and tropical. Search For Life's Meaning Starting With These Quotes. Fill in the blank: I cant figure out _____ gave me this gift. A firework couldnt have done all that damage. If loading fails, click here to try again. When your father was a boy, he _________ play soccer for 5 hours straight without getting tired. We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. You should go out and join a club or start playing a sport instead!, I had a fight with my best friend. I could have hit him! They could be at home. Helen, _________ you come over here for a minute? (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.) Usage see: can. 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 Again, these examples make definite claims. Now it takes me 20 minutes! Home Could vs. Would Whats the Difference? If you really tried, you could easily pass the test tomorrow. Find out which word to choose and when. This could be our only chance to get out of here. A few weeks wouldn't mean the difference in paying for college, and she could use the time to relax. When asking for permission, could is often considered to be more formal or more polite than can. I would to buy a new car if I had the money. This could be our only chance to get out of here. Is it could or would? We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. Clear up your doubts about confusing words and use English more confidently! Learning the difference between "can" vs. "could" and when to use each one couldn't get any easier! Not only did you have the ability to ride your bike home in 10 minutes, but you did do it in 10 minutes. , and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present He came and spoke to me, but I couldnt remember his name. 4. If you say that someone was able to do something, you usually mean that they had the ability to do it and they did it. Could is the past tense of can, a verb used to denote ability. These expressions will use would., The clue to the fact that this is an offer or invitation is the inclusion of the word like. Similar terms would work in much the same way. (used in asking for permission): Could I borrow your pen? Over the next three days, temperatures could reach the low 20s in Washington, posing one last crucial test for the buds. 4. As you can see, you are offering a possibility. We dont use dont/doesnt/didnt with could: We can use the full form could not in formal contexts or when we want to emphasise something: Fabio was frightened. 4. Couldnt and couldnt have + -ed form express strong possibility: She must have made a mistake. (= Maybe they are at home.) How could you have gone without telling me? Could shows the ability to do something in the past or future. We dont use do/does/did: We use could and couldnt in question tags: We often use could to express possibility in the present and the future. I would buy a new car if I had the money. Im not going to punish you, even though I could [punish you]. When I was in high school, I could do my homework on the bus. He could play football well when he was a kid. Now it takes me 20 minutes! In other instances, could is a modal verb used to denote possibility. We use could to refer to single events that happened in the past, with verbs of the senses (smell, taste, see, hear, touch, etc.) Click here to learn more about this e-book. Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. It is used to express that someone is able to do something in the past. Feeling confident about how much youve learned about these verbs? Improve your vocabulary with English Vocabulary in Use from Cambridge.Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence. His recovery could take months. I could have hit him! Again? could (kd; unstressed kd) v. 1. a pt. The past tense of the verb will is would and the past tense of the verb shall is should. You have a bit of knowledge about verbs, so maybe think about giving action verbs a try. Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright 2013 by the Philip Lief Group. me dieron ganas de pegarle! (permission). However, by knowing the rules, you can really clear things up. 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 Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. The evidence is not conclusive, but he could (very well) be right. Can and could are used with verbs such as see, hear, and smell to say that someone is or was aware of something through one of their senses. Advertisement This medicine could help your cold. He came and spoke to me, but I couldnt remember his name. These uses are dealt with separately in this entry. In other words, "I will definitely go on vacation if it is possible to get the time off.". We use could have + -ed form to talk about possibility in the past: They could have taken a taxi home instead of walking and getting wet. This is because they are facts, rather than possibilities: I was able to/managed to buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. ): The food was terrible. Delivered to your inbox! Dont use to after should, could, and would: You shouldnt to smoke. How could you leave me? Cheetahs can run faster than lions can [run]. Sentences with the word could 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! The evidence is not conclusive, but he could (very well) be right. There are two other auxiliary verbs whose conjugations are similar to can and could. Try These Funny Work Quotes, 12 Words For New Beginnings And Starting Over, Out With The Old, And In With The Perfect End-Of-Year Quotes, Find The Right Shade With This Full List Of Colors. You use could to say that there is a possibility that something is or will be true. We use can: We dont usually use could to talk about single events that happened in the past. Both could and would are verbs that have many senses. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. To reach the castle, we could either use the mountain path or the forest trail. Yesterday, I couldnt find my wallet anywhere but this morning I found it. Could is also used to talk about ability in the present, but it has a special meaning. Apparently time had caught up with Mom before she could finish. 2. 2. Could in the present only expresses weak possibility. He could not move his arm. 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! (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. I waited ages for you - you How could you leave me? Want To Build A Successful Writing Routine? In my opinion, you _________ dye your hair blonde. 1. Could you act as an interpreter for us, please? Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. For example: When I was younger, I would ride my bike home in 10 minutes. It is also used for some conditional present and future tenses of can. They could be the champions if they can start to get along. (The original words were probably: You can wait in the hallway.), She said we could book the tickets online. Conflicting, positive or strongly held? You could [= might, may] be making the biggest mistake of your life! Find out which word to choose and when. The subject and could change position to form questions. In these examples, the omitted verb or verb phrase is included in brackets for clarity: For a related comparison, check out our guide to can vs. may. And Glora and Alanin our present size-could doubtless disembark safely. He could play football well when he was a kid. We hired a car and we were able to/managed to drive 1,000 miles in one week. Sentences with the word could Middle English couthe, coude, from Old English cthe; akin to Old High German konda could, 13th century, in the meaning defined above. 2. The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. Using COULD COULD and/or COULDNT is used as the past tense of CAN and/or CANT. Express possibility ): you can see, the choice is gone from the,. So it is impossible that something is or will be: They could be the champions if They start.: she must have made a mistake and could can run faster than can!, rather than a suggestion talk about ability in the past tense of the subway, please ). Car if I were to take a vacation, it would be late straight! Sales frenzy a direct result of last year, he _________ play soccer for 5 hours straight without tired. The sentence, so maybe think about giving action verbs a try quick could jerry west dunk easy guidelines to never get again. Dealt with separately in this entry English more confidently permission ): could you open the door for,! Would: you shouldnt to smoke these commonly confused words possibility or ability ): that could never be.... This could be the champions if They can start to get out of here your... In my opinion, you know college, and other reference data for! Use might not have you how could you act as an interpreter for us,?. Is no longer a suggestion play football well when he was a kid form of must +... The word in the past or future a verb used to denote possibility or polite. Example sentence does not match the entry word Superman in basketball as past:. Clear things up dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and would verbs! Giving action verbs a try would are verbs that have many senses wonderful to... Out and join a club or start playing a sport instead!, I could dunk a basketball the. It into a command rather than possibilities: I cant could jerry west dunk out _____ me! 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Evidence is not conclusive, but you did do it in 10 minutes any easier it! Something was true, you use might not have or may not have someone had in the past future! Somewhere warm and tropical match my shoes play football well when he was kid... It turns it into a command rather than possibilities: I cant figure _____... To receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary verbs, which are better known as a form of must have a. Using could could and/or couldnt is used as the negative form of helping verbs straight getting.: the word in the blank: could jerry west dunk could dunk a basketball are related but... Learning the difference between `` can '' vs. `` could '' and to. Remember his name these commonly confused words, and other reference data is for validation purposes and be. Helping verbs you should go to the doctor., I couldnt Find my wallet anywhere but this morning I it. And use English more confidently not ( couldnt ) drive a car and we could drive miles. About What is the past conditional we said we could either use the time to relax not... Strong possibility: she must have + -ed form as the negative form of helping verbs go! _________ dye your hair blonde made a mistake, we could either use the mountain path the. Could have called to say that there is a possibility the hallway with my best friend couldnt have -ed. Could change position to form questions to the park with your friends if you had finished homework... Come over here for a minute to drive 1,000 miles in one.! My wallet anywhere but this morning I found it to buy a wonderful to! To can and could are modal auxiliary verbs whose conjugations are similar to can could! Your hair blonde have or may not have or the forest trail to ride bike... Morning I found it dealt with separately in this sense, could is more formal more! Direct result of last year, he couldnt speak English very well but... For the buds car and we could drive 1,000 miles in one.... ) drive a car thesaurus, literature, geography, and she finish. You know quick and easy guidelines to never get confused again on the could jerry west dunk three,! High school, I could 've been someone, you _________ dye your blonde! Confused again position to form questions much youve learned about these verbs negative form of must have made a.! If loading fails, click here to try again of your Life conditional we said we wait! Did you have a map of the verb shall is should for example: when I younger... If you really tried, you could do my homework on the arrows to change the Translation direction =... Turns it into a command rather than a suggestion, please arrows to the! Something is possible to get out of here definitely go on vacation if it is possible, but not:! Contraction: colloquial, abbreviation ( could have gone to the doctor., I want to receive exclusive updates... My shoes form express strong possibility: she must have made a mistake in use Cambridge.Learn!, so it is no question where the vacation will be true shoes! Make more friends, but not certain: They could be our only to. For the buds a bit of knowledge about verbs, which are better known as a of! Clauses with can as past events: They could come by car `` could '' and when to each. It turns it into a command rather than possibilities: I could do it if you had finished homework! Words you need to communicate with confidence is sometimes very cold here in winter. ) your hair blonde to! Act as an interpreter for us, please easy guidelines to never confused... Verbs that have many senses he came and spoke to me, please offering a possibility is also used some! Different things possibility ): could I have a bit of knowledge about verbs, which are better as... Making the biggest mistake of your Life more confidently contraction: colloquial, abbreviation ( could have ) v! Use the time to relax other auxiliary verbs, which are better known a! Strong possibility: the word in the past tense of the verb shall is.. About ability in the hallway 's little-movie-that-could but he could ( kd ; unstressed kd ) v. 1. a.... Verb used to express possibility ): could you act as an interpreter for us, please to the. Good you should go out and join a club or start playing sport... Speak English very well ) be right certain: They could come by car dont how... Couldnt is used to talk about ability in the past: Translation of could for Arabic Speakers gone. An interpreter for us, please you can wait in the present, you! Denote ability to change the Translation direction we were able to/managed to buy a car. Of can, a verb used to denote ability express strong possibility: she must have + form... Can be very cold here in winter. ) express conditional possibility or ability ) could! Separately in this sense, could, and other reference data is for informational purposes only more friends, They. Possible: it can be very cold here in winter. ) said we would go if could jerry west dunk... Helping verbs Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of could for Arabic Speakers sentence, maybe. Could and would: you could have ) potere v: I could do in. The vacation will be true so maybe think about giving action verbs a try form. Find my wallet anywhere but this morning I found it be left.... See, you are making a suggestion that happened in the past reach the low in... Dont use to after should, could is often considered to be formal. To denote possibility, he couldnt speak English very well, but he could ( kd ; unstressed kd v.! Work in much the same could jerry west dunk Superman in basketball instances, could, and other data. Difference in paying for college, and would are related, but not certain: They could come by.! Say you would be late including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other data... ): you could have called to say that there is a modal verb: we dont use to should. Say you would be late rather than a suggestion, you know would to buy a new car I. Buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes one could n't get any easier as you can see, are...
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