Meaning of could in English

could

verb

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strong /kʊd/ weak /kəd/ us

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strong /kʊd/ weak /kəd/

could verb (CAN)

past simple of "can", used to talk about what someone or something was able or allowed to do:

When I was younger I could stay up all night and not get tired.

It was so noisy that we couldn't hear ourselves speak.

You said we could watch TV when we finished our homework.

We asked if the computer could access the internet.

More examples

She walked off before I could say anything.
I could never have achieved this without the encouragement of my husband and family.
I could see by the look on their faces that something was wrong.
I wish I could find (the) time to do more reading.
Even when you win a match you always feel you could have played better.

Grammar

We don’t usually use could to talk about single events that happened in the past. …

Could, may and might

We use could, may and might to express degrees of possibility. Many native speakers disagree on which one expresses more or less certainty. …

could

modal verb

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strong /kʊd/ weak /kəd/ us

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strong /kʊd/ weak /kəd/

could modal verb (PERMISSION)

used as a more polite form of "can" when asking for permission:

Could I speak to Mr Davis, please?

Excuse me, could I just say something?

More examples

Could I borrow your pen?
Could we see her now, please?
Could I have some more pudding?
Could I use your bathroom, please?
Could I leave the children with you this morning?

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Polite expressions

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could modal verb (REQUEST)

used as a more polite form of "can" when asking someone to provide something or do something:

Could you lend me £5?

Could you turn that music down a little, please?

More examples

Please could you explain why you're so late.
I'm frozen - could you close the window?
I've got rather a full week next week - could we postpone our meeting?
If you could get that report finished by Thursday I'd be very grateful.
Ben, could you hand round the biscuits?

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Making appeals & requests

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could modal verb (POSSIBILITY)

used to express possibility, especially slight or uncertain possibility:

A lot of crime could be prevented.

She could arrive anytime now.

This new drug could be an important step in the fight against cancer.

Be careful with that stick - you could have hit your sister!

More examples

Passengers could face long delays.
The temperature could fall below zero overnight.
You could be the Queen of England, for all I care - you're not coming in here without a ticket.
Anything could happen in the next half hour.
It is not inconceivable that she could be lying.

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Possible and probable

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could modal verb (SUGGESTION)

used for making a suggestion:

We could go out for a drink after work tomorrow, if you want.

You could always call Susie and see if she will babysit.

More examples

You could offer to buy her a new one.
Could you get a bigger house?
We could try mending it with glue.
I could look after Toby for you.
We could have lunch one day.

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Suggestions & proposals

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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!

I waited ages for you - you could have said that you weren't coming!

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Duty, obligation and responsibility

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Grammar

Can, could or may: typical errors

We don’t usually use could to talk about single events that happened in the past. …

Could, may and might

We use could, may and might to express degrees of possibility. Many native speakers disagree on which one expresses more or less certainty. …

Idiom

could do with sth

(Definition of could from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

could | American Dictionary

could

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/kʊd, kəd/

could (CAN)

past simple of can:

You said we could watch television when we finished our homework.

When I was younger I could stay up all night and then go to work.

Idioms

could care less
could have died
could use

could

modal verb

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/kʊd, kəd/

could modal verb (ASK PERMISSION)

present tense could

used as a more polite form of can when asking for permission:

Could I speak to Mr. Harley, please?

could modal verb (REQUEST)

present tense could

used as a more polite form of can when making a request:

Could you lend me $5?

could modal verb (BE POSSIBLE)

used to express possibility, esp. slight or uncertain possibility:

A lot of these problems could be prevented.

It could be days before we hear from her.

I could have been an actor.

could modal verb (SUGGEST)

present tense could

used for making a suggestion:

We could go to the movies.

could modal verb (SHOULD)

present tense could

used for saying what you think someone else should do:

You could try to look a little more enthusiastic.

(Definition of could from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Translations of could

in Chinese (Traditional)

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in Spanish

能, （can 的過去式，表示能夠或允許）能，可以, 許可…

“can” の過去形, （許可を求める疑問文で、”can” よりも丁寧）～してもよろしいですか, （推量を表す）～かもしれない…

can' fiilinin geçmiş zaman hali, bir şeyin olma olasılığını anlatmada kullanılır, bir şeyi nazikçe istemede veya sormada kullanılır…

pouvais/-ait/-ions/-iez/-aient, pourrais/-ait/-ions/-iez/-aient, puis/peux/peut/pouvons/pouvez/peuvent…

passat de “can”, s’utilitza per a expressar el que algú sabia, o el que algú o alguna cosa podia fer…

يُمكِن, يَسْتَطيع, هَل بالإمْكان؟…

mohl, mohl by…

kunne…

dapat, mungkin…

กริยาช่องที่ 2 ของกริยาช่วย can, สามารถ…

chỉ sự cho phép, sự bày tỏ khả năng…

mógł itp., można było, może…

boleh, mungkin…

pret. von ‘können‘, Konjunktiv von ‘können‘…

kunne, kan, skulle kunne…

“can”의 과거형, 허락을 구할때 “can”보다 공손한 표현으로 “could”가 쓰임, 가능성이 있음을 표현할 때 쓰임…

passado de “can”, forma educada de “can” quando usado para pedir algo, poderia…

能, （can 的过去式，表示能够或允许）能，可以, 许可…

usato come passato semplice di “can” per esprimere capacità o permesso al passato, usato come forma più gentile di “can” per chiedere permesso di fare qualcosa, usato per esprimere ciò che è possibile o che potrebbe accadere…

прош. вр. гл. can, может, мог бы…

pasado de “can”, se usa para expresar lo que alguien sabía o podía hacer, forma más cortés que “can” de pedir permiso…

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