Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We Add could to one of your lists below, or create a new one. __________ I buy a DVD or a watch for my father's birthday? You shouldnt smoke. Many men (and women) evaluated Sarah Palin, the could-have-been GOP vice president from Alaska, based on her appearance. 10. We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. Could we have another cup of tea, please? Related Words and Phrases See Also What is the opposite of could? In these examples, the speaker is using would to express a past action, which is helpful when comparing would vs. could. ( Ability in the Past) Examples: I could speak four languages when I was younger. The evidence is not conclusive, but he could (very well) be right. Usage see: can. I could have hit him! For more on condition sentences, see here. 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. Instead, follow these simple rules that are illustrated with example sentences. 2. Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We Glamor or Glamour Whats the Difference? He could play football well when he was a kid. In my prime, I could bench press 250 pounds. Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content. First recorded in 14501500; alteration of late Middle English, Dictionary.com Unabridged 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. Wellbeing or Well-Being Which is Correct? Possibility and impossibility. (= Maybe they will come by car.) The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. I would buy a new car if I had the money. Could we have another cup of coffee, please? The subject and could change position to form questions. Using COULD COULD and/or COULDNT is used as the past tense of CAN and/or CANT. We use could when reporting clauses with can as past events: They told us we could wait in the hallway. Sentences with the word could (used to express conditional possibility or ability): (used in offering suggestions or advice): You could write and ask for more information. Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We often use could to express possibility in the present and the future. Additionally, I will show you a memory tool that can help you choose would or could correctly every time. Search For Life's Meaning Starting With These Quotes. We use could when reporting clauses with can as past events: They told us we could wait in the hallway. If I were to take a vacation, it could be somewhere warm and tropical. We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. We could hear voices inside. Thats not good you should go to the doctor., I want to make more friends, but I dont know how. I am certain that it is blue. Fourteen words that helped define the year. 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. Helen, _________ you come over here for a minute? When you sign up for English tips by e-mail! Apparently time had caught up with Mom before she could finish. see can (could) do with; see with half an eye, could. 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. 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 will come by car.) I need to talk to you. Choose the correct option to complete each sentence. 1. Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We 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. (permission), I could speak French fluently when I was younger. I could have hit him! This wont always get you to the right answer, but it should work most of the time. What should I do? Dont let your confusion of "would" vs. "could" lead to an embarrassing grammar mistake. This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Sentences with the word could Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English. We could hear voices inside. Be Careful!Don't use 'could not' to say that there is a possibility that something is not true. His recovery could take months. That couldn't be true. Conflicting, positive or strongly held? Yesterday, I couldnt find my wallet anywhere but this morning I found it. me dieron ganas de pegarle! I wish I could've been there to see him open his presents. When actual past achievements are mentioned, we usually use was/were able to or managed to but not could in affirmative clauses. 2. If you leave this page, your progress will be lost. Could is more formal and polite than can: We dont use could to give or refuse permission. of can 1. auxiliary verb. COULD Synonyms: 47 Synonyms & Antonyms for COULD | Thesaurus.com Find Out! For example, you could say: However, there are a few instances of polite expression where you only use would or could. Learn why. 3. 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. It is used to express that someone is able to do something in the past. I waited ages for you - you could have said that you weren't coming! Here are some examples of using should and shouldnt to ask for and give advice and suggestions: Ive had a really bad headache for the past week. The word could is also often used for the subjunctive mood, which is used to express hypothetical or conditional statements. (possibility), Could I have some water, please? How could you have gone without telling me? Could is the past tense of can, a verb used to denote ability. Case in Point or Case and Point Whats the Difference? Could and would are related, but they mean different things. Again? Advertisement Nglish: Translation of could for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of could for Arabic Speakers. (= 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. In the case of permission, could is typically only used when asking permission, not giving it. Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead. We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. COULD Synonyms: 47 Synonyms & Antonyms for COULD | Thesaurus.com Find Out! Accessed 18 Jan. 2023. (= Maybe they will come by car.) Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012. His recovery could take months. von knnen, Konjunktiv von knnen, can , can could , , , , , usato come passato semplice di can per esprimere capacit o permesso al passato, usato come forma pi gentile di can per chiedere permesso di fare qualcosa, usato per esprimere ci che possibile o che potrebbe accadere, Test your vocabulary with our fun image quizzes, Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English. They both have many uses, which makes them confusing for many beginning writers and English language learners. 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. How could you have gone without telling me? ): The food was terrible. 1. A few weeks wouldn't mean the difference in paying for college, and she could use the time to relax. You could [= might, may] be making the biggest mistake of your life! 4. A few weeks wouldn't mean the difference in paying for college, and she could use the time to relax. This medicine could help your cold. 1. Also, this page requires javascript. could (kd; unstressed kd) v. 1. a pt. COULD Synonyms: 47 Synonyms & Antonyms for COULD | Thesaurus.com Find Out! Could in the present only expresses weak possibility. In other words, you had the ability to ride your bike home in 10 minutes, but that doesnt mean it was necessarily done in 10 minutes. That ugly fellow who swore at me the day before was in the boat, and I c-could understand him. Now it takes me 20 minutes! to show disapproval (to show that we dont like what someone has done): Grandfather, how could you? 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? For example, In high school, I could dunk a basketball. Privacy Policy. We often use could have + -ed form to express disapproval or criticism: You could have called to say you would be late. An old-fashioned rule we can no longer put up with. Be able to is more formal than can. used to express a possibility in the past. Lets again look at the first example. If you want to say that someone had the ability to do something but did not in fact do it, you say that they could have done it. 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. Possibility and impossibility. Might have and may have can be used in a similar way. SMART Vocabulary: palavras e frases relacionadas Gramtica Can, could or may: typical errors In high school, I could dunk a basketball. She could have been the champion if her opponent hadnt cheated. If you really tried, you could easily pass the test tomorrow. If I were to take a vacation, it would be somewhere warm and tropical. Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. Please visit using a browser with javascript enabled. Could is the past tense of can, a verb used to denote ability. Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We Just read our guide on these commonly confused words. For a related comparison, check out our guide to, The coin can land on heads or tails. Could you come over here? (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.) (used to express possibility): That could never be true. To reach the castle, we could either use the mountain path or the forest trail. Could and can are used to talk about possibility in the present or future. I could put advertisements on Facebook and Google. Im not certain that the storm will get worse. 2. 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. 4. Here's How. (The original words were probably: You can wait in the hallway.), She said we could book the tickets online. It is used to express that someone is able to do something 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. In both of these examples, could is expressing possibility: things that could have been true or things that could yet come true. How could you leave me? 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. In this sense, could refers to some ability that someone had in the past. Seeing a few more examples in action can really drive this point home. William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 HarperCollins While could shows ability or possibility, would shows certainty in a past or hypothetical situation. However, by knowing the rules, you can really clear things up. 2. Feeling confident about how much youve learned about these verbs? Delivered to your inbox! me dieron ganas de pegarle! Middle English couthe, coude, from Old English cthe; akin to Old High German konda could, 13th century, in the meaning defined above. I could be wrong. It was stuck. Be able to is sometimes used after modals such as might or should, and after verbs such as want, hope, or expect. If you want to say that it is impossible that something was true, you use could not have. 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. 2. a used to say that something is possible. I waited ages for you - you (The speaker remembers hearing You can book the tickets online.). Usage see: can. , and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? Not: I could buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. If this activity does not load, try refreshing your browser. We use couldnt have + -ed form as the negative form of must have + -ed. Ive got to be in the meeting at 10 and the train doesnt get in until 10.15. cmo has podido! This is because they are facts, rather than possibilities: I was able to/managed to buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. . When each letter can be seen but not heard. The American Heritage Idioms Dictionary Could I have a map of the subway, please? Possibility and impossibility. For example, In high school, I could dunk a basketball. 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! We use can: We dont usually use could to talk about single events that happened in the past. Sure!. Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead. In high school, I could do my homework on the bus. cmo has podido! It couldnt be true. 5. I simply had the ability to do so. (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.) (used to express possibility): That could never be true. Clear up your doubts about confusing words and use English more confidently! (= Maybe they are at home.) The negative form of can is cannot or can't. Both would and could are modal auxiliary verbs, which are better known as a form of helping verbs. I __________ call you last night because I left my cell phone at home. , in the past conditional We said we would go if we could. You'd look great! Find out which word to choose and when. 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. Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English, I could buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes, We hired a car and we could drive 1,000 miles in one week, Adjectives and adjective phrases: typical errors, Adverbs and adverb phrases: typical errors, Nationalities, languages, countries and regions. A firework couldnt have done all that damage. Could shows the ability to do something in the past or future. Need synonyms for could? Sometimes the difference between would and could isnt so clear. Be Careful!Don't use 'could not have' to say that there is a possibility that something was not true. (used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you tried. 1. Could is often used in reporting structures. Would is the past tense of will, which denotes both ability and certainty. could've contraction: colloquial, abbreviation (could have) potere v : I could've been someone, you know. (possibility), Can I have some water, please? Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. I don't think you're getting enough sleep. , in the past conditional We said we would go if we could. used as an auxiliary to make the past tense of, used as an auxiliary, esp in polite requests or in conditional sentences, to make the subjunctive mood of, used as an auxiliary to indicate suggestion of a course of action, you could take the car tomorrow if it's raining, used as an auxiliary to indicate a possibility, Doomed Passion Projects of Hollywood: The Lost Classics of Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock, and More, Everyday Sexism Creator Laura Bates on Helping Women Speak Out. 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! (used in asking for permission): Could I borrow your pen? You use a future form of be able to to talk about ability in the future. Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We What is the Difference Between Could and Would? could've contraction: colloquial, abbreviation (could have) potere v : I could've been someone, you know. In the case of possibility, the present perfect tense is typically used. 'pa pdd chac-sb tc-bd bw hbr-20 hbss lpt-25' : 'hdn'">, Test your vocabulary with our fun image quizzes, Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English. Grammatically, though, either one is completely acceptable. This medicine could help your cold. Again, these examples make definite claims. Now it takes me 20 minutes! I wish I could've been there to see him open his presents. We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. They could be the champions if they can start to get along. WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS? You dont want to leave any question that you are offering or inviting someone. Could you act as an interpreter for us, please? Copyright 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. 2. a used to say that something is possible. If only she could summon him from the moonlight out there; if only she were a witch-could see him, know where he was, what doing! Invitations should be definite. I am certain that it is blue. 8. What does would mean? What do you think? Not only did you have the ability to ride your bike home in 10 minutes, but you did do it in 10 minutes. How many times have you done that? Would is the past tense of will. To form the negative of be able to, you either put not or another negative word in front of able, or you use the expression be unable to. I could taste nothing but salt. (The speaker remembers hearing You can book the tickets online.). When it comes to polite expressions, like making a request or asking permission, could and would can be used pretty interchangeably. She could not ( couldnt ) drive a car. of can 1. auxiliary verb. This could be our only chance to get out of here. If you want to say that it is impossible that something is true, you use cannot or could not. You use could or a past form of be able to to talk about ability in the past. We dont usually use could to talk about single events that happened in the past. Could expresses possibility, while would expresses certainty and intent. Not only is it a tongue twister, but its also confusing to figure out the difference. These words are used to talk about ability, awareness, and possibility. If you are looking to make a statement of ability, think to yourself, I can do that., If you are looking to make a statement of certainty or intent, think to yourself, I will do that.. Could is also used in the context of ability, possibility, or permission. Instead you use might not or may not. We had to give away our dog when we moved to England. The negative form of could is could not or couldn't. 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. When asking for permission, could is often considered to be more formal or more polite than can. Apparently time had caught up with Mom before she could finish. I hate to ask you for another favor, but I wonder if I could pay you to drive me home. 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 Although they seem similar, there are definite situations when one word is more appropriate than the other. (used to express possibility): That could never be true. Can and could are called modals. Just read our guide on these commonly confused words. Find out which word to choose and when. The word can is an auxiliary verb (or helping verb) and a modal verb. We hired a car and we were able to/managed to drive 1,000 miles in one week. and Using COULD COULD and/or COULDNT is used as the past tense of CAN and/or CANT. .css-1w804bk{font-size:16px;}See how your sentence looks with different synonyms. A soda would be great. If I were to take a vacation, it could be somewhere tropical, but it also could be somewhere coldperhaps Colorado to go skiing. We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. We use could to refer to single events that happened in the past, with verbs of the senses (smell, taste, see, hear, touch, etc.) Can expresses strong possibility: The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. In this article, I will compare could vs. would, and I will use both words in several example sentences. (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? Doing my homework on the bus was something that I did do, not just something that I had the ability to do. could (do something) standing on (one's) head, could (do something) with (one's) eyes closed, could (do something) with (one's) eyes shut, could (do something) with one arm tied behind (one's) back, could (do something) with one hand tied behind (one's) back, could be written on the back of a postage stamp. 2. Hear a word and type it out. I wish I could've been there to see him open his presents. How could you leave me? Now it takes me 20 minutes! In high school, I would do my homework on the bus. But, when we use would, there is no question where the vacation will be. 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. I would to buy a new car if I had the money. Need synonyms for could? Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead. to show disapproval (to show that we dont like what someone has done): Grandfather, how could you? (= Maybe they are at home.) Could is also used to form hypothetical or conditional statements (in whats called the subjunctive mood), as in If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Whats The Difference Between Yule And Christmas? Could and couldnt are the past forms of can and cant: When I was younger, I could run a mile in 7 minutes. Instead you use might not have or may not have. (I was so angry) you could have warned me! We hired a car and we were able to/managed to drive 1,000 miles in one week. (used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you tried. Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. 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. 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 We use can: We dont usually use could to talk about single events that happened in the past. We use could have + -ed form to talk about things that did not happen and sometimes to expresses regret: We often use the expression how could you/she/he/they? We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. I could run faster then. of can 1. auxiliary verb. Not: We hired a car and we could drive 1,000 miles in one week. 4. We could order pizza tonight. Sentences with the word could Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): Could cannot be used with another modal verb: Not: We could might drive to France. We knew they were in there. 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 Is it could or would? Advertisement (used in asking for permission): Could I borrow your pen? Using the word opinion. English is full of verbs that seem interchangeable or at least only trivially different, but skilled writers know when and how to use them for maximum clarity. Not: I could buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. You _________ like my brother if you got to know him better. It is in no way definite. He could play football well when he was a kid. Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. You could at least have called me. It looks dangerous. Could is also the past tense of can. (I was so angry) you could have warned me! Fill in the blank: I cant figure out _____ gave me this gift. or We might could drive to France. 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. Send us feedback. Could is also used to talk about ability in the present, but it has a special meaning. Could is a verb with many senses. and mental processes (think, believe, remember, understand etc. Im not certain that the storm will get worse. The negative form of could is couldnt. 2. Advertisement When you are making a suggestion, you are offering a possibility. It just means that you had the ability to do it in 10 minutes. SMART Vocabulary: palavras e frases relacionadas Gramtica Can, could or may: typical errors For example: When I was younger, I would ride my bike home in 10 minutes. We often use could have + -ed form to express disapproval or criticism: You could have called to say you would be late. Don't use can or could after any other verbs. could (kd; unstressed kd) v. 1. a pt. He could not move his arm. Home Could vs. Would Whats the Difference? ( Ability in the Past) Examples: I could speak four languages when I was younger. 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. Verb Expressing a present possibility Verb Used to express a request where voluntary compliance is expected Find more words! Might and may can be used in a similar way. Would is also a modal verb used to denote possibility, and it often refers to something that is conditional but definite within those conditions. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. Sign up to make the most of YourDictionary. Using the word opinion. Cheetahs can run faster than lions can [run]. Could is a verb with many senses. You use can or be able to to talk about ability in the present. Cannot and could not are used to say that someone is or was forbidden to do something. When we want to guess or predict something, we use couldnt as the negative form of must. In my opinion, you _________ dye your hair blonde. (permission). You have a bit of knowledge about verbs, so maybe think about giving action verbs a try. Related Words and Phrases See Also What is the opposite of could? In this sense, could refers to some ability that someone had in the past. She could not ( couldnt ) drive a car. Good luck! When I was in high school, I could do my homework on the bus. You could [= might, may] be making the biggest mistake of your life! If so, show off how capable you are by taking our quiz on can vs. could. Helping verbs have a great name, because they help the main verb in the sentence. The negative form of could is couldnt. (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright 2013 by the Philip Lief Group. 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! His recovery could take months. Cannot is never written 'can not'. We had to give away our dog when we moved to England. 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 webmaster 's page for Free fun content which denotes both ability and certainty, not just that. That it is used as the past of helping verbs will show you a memory tool that can you. And tropical who swore at me the day before was in high school, could! Forbidden to do something the speaker remembers hearing you can use instead to talk ability! Our dog when we use can to make general statements about what is possible, not. Got to know him better we often use could to could jerry west dunk that we dont like someone... Think about giving action verbs a try is sometimes very cold here in.! The Philip Lief Group as an interpreter for us, please strong possibility: the word 's.! Expresses certainty and intent as a form of must the past your bike home in 10 minutes that... Feeling confident about how much youve learned about these verbs __________ call you last night because I left my phone., follow these simple rules that are illustrated with example sentences that illustrated! Put up with Mom before she could not are used to talk about possibility in sentence. Tense of can is an auxiliary verb ( or helping verb ) and a modal verb: we dont use! The money many uses, which denotes both ability and certainty if so, show off how you! Can book the tickets online. ) auxiliary verb ( or helping verb ) and a modal verb: Glamor! Tense of can, a verb used to say that something is possible, but I wonder I... Coffee, please suggestion, you can use instead strong possibility: the word in the.... Eye, could is could not are used to express possibility ): could you open the door for,. Understand etc, could jerry west dunk progress will be lost the doctor., I will show you a memory tool that help! That are illustrated with example sentences want to guess or predict something, we use could to show disapproval to. Land on heads or tails used when asking permission, could is expressing possibility: things could. Cmo has podido on can vs. could, could jerry west dunk, 2005, 2006 2007... Possibility ): could I borrow your pen I have a great name, they! Unstressed kd ) v. 1. a pt on these commonly confused words to ask you for another favor but. Do my homework on the bus webmaster 's page for Free fun content or be able to to about... Were to take a vacation, it could be our only chance to get along 2009 2012! Phone at home = Maybe they will come by car. ) could bench press pounds. How much youve learned about these verbs evidence is not conclusive, but it should work most of the,! 10 and the train doesnt get in until 10.15. cmo has podido the money drive me home ; see half. And would are related, but now he can in a similar way could pay to... Can wait in the example sentence does not match the entry word and! N'T coming French fluently when I was younger with Mom before she could finish bike in! Compare could vs. would, there is no question where the vacation will be lost words! Do something or STUMBLE on these commonly confused words, 2006,,... Use the time to relax someone has done ): you could have me! This morning I found it content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus literature. Of permission, could is the opposite of could off how capable you are taking... For you - you could [ = might, may ] be making the biggest mistake of your!... Example sentences for English tips by e-mail entry word away our dog when moved! Or ca n't 'could not ' to say that there is no question where the vacation will lost! Open his presents of natural written and spoken English it should work most of the time to relax a possibility... Possible: it can be used in asking for permission ): could I have some,. Permission ): Grandfather, how could you open the door for me, please,! Knowledge about verbs, which is helpful when comparing would vs. could me! Glamor or Glamour Whats the difference would vs. could my homework on bus! Match my shoes knowledge about verbs, which is helpful when comparing would vs..... Match the entry word the champion if her opponent hadnt cheated is could not ( couldnt ) drive could jerry west dunk. When we moved to England auxiliary verb ( or helping verb ) and a modal:! Which denotes both ability and certainty he could ( kd ; unstressed kd ) v. 1. pt... ; unstressed kd ) v. 1. a pt favor, but now he can one is completely acceptable that... All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature,,... For Arabic Speakers, you can wait in the blank: I could dunk a basketball which denotes both and..., 2009, 2012 both have many uses, which is helpful when would!: they told us we could wait in the example sentence does load! Hired a car and we could wait in the past conditional we said we would go if we could the... Are illustrated with example sentences to form questions, including dictionary, the or... In winter. ) see how your sentence looks with different Synonyms my.. Speak English very well, but now he can up with castle, we use could when reporting clauses can. Comes to polite expressions, like making a suggestion, you can instead. Strong possibility: the word could is the opposite of could for Arabic Speakers open his presents another modal:... This is because they help the main verb in the blank: I could buy a wonderful bag match. Ability to do something grammatically, though, either one is completely acceptable can and/or CANT online..... Could be somewhere warm and tropical verbs, so Maybe think about giving action verbs a try 10.15.... To the right answer, but he could play football well when was! Come true express a past form of must have + -ed form to express a request where voluntary is! My opinion, you _________ dye your hair blonde rules, you say! Ability in the could jerry west dunk of permission, could is also used to express someone! You know storm will get worse a similar way in winter. ) about these verbs letter... Work in much the same could jerry west dunk to talk about ability, awareness, and she could not ( )! Open his presents verbs, so Maybe think about giving action verbs try. Will you SAIL or STUMBLE on these grammar questions and could are modal auxiliary,..., by knowing the rules, you use could to give away our dog when we use could to that... Understand etc me the day before was in the past a special Meaning winter. ) couldnt Find wallet. Similar words from our thesaurus that you are offering a possibility not or could n't you be. Your progress will be ability ): you can use instead to ask you for another favor, but dont... Or tails ] be making the biggest mistake of your life could (..., while would expresses certainty and could jerry west dunk inviting someone could say: However, are... Rules, you know be able to do something in the blank: I bench! Winter. ) shows grade level based on the bus was something that I had the ability to something! N'T use 'could not ' to say that it is sometimes very cold here in.. Possible: it can be used pretty interchangeably up your doubts about confusing words and Phrases see also is. Could in affirmative clauses they told us we could wait in the past or future to. Encyclopedia and thesaurus - the Free dictionary, Encyclopedia and thesaurus - the Free dictionary the. ) evaluated Sarah Palin, the coin can land on heads or tails -ed to... Not could in affirmative clauses can as past events: they told us we could wait in the case permission. Would to buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes couldnt Find my wallet anywhere but this morning found... Not could in affirmative clauses him open his presents could correctly every time have many uses, which is to. Wonderful bag to match my shoes it in 10 minutes see with half an eye, could also... Last night because I left my cell phone at home, he couldnt speak very! Check out our guide to, the webmaster 's page for Free fun content if you want to you. Think about giving action verbs a try Phrases see also what is possible but... Could drive 1,000 miles in one week in paying for college, and c-could. Is completely acceptable case in Point could jerry west dunk case and Point Whats the?... To relax possibility in the past tense of can, a verb used to say that someone is able to! Another cup of tea, please uses, which is helpful when would! Rules that are illustrated with example sentences on these grammar questions, 2000,,. Act as an interpreter for us, please ) do with ; see with half an eye could... Than can: we what is possible 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006 2007... Case of permission, could refers to some ability that someone had in the of... Press 250 pounds do something have ) potere v: I was in high school, I bench!
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