Get grammar tips, writing tricks, and more from Thesaurus.com right in your inbox! Nglish: Translation of could for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of could for Arabic Speakers. 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. His recovery could take months. While I was working, I would go out to eat more frequently. Now it takes me 20 minutes! Conflicting, positive or strongly held? In both of these examples, could is expressing possibility: things that could have been true or things that could yet come true. 2. a used to say that something is possible. Once you are finished, click the button below. Using COULD COULD and/or COULDNT is used as the past tense of CAN and/or CANT. 8. For more on condition sentences, see here. It is commonly used together with other verbs to express ability, possibility, or permission (asking and giving). But, when we use would, there is no question where the vacation will be. You also use could have to say that there was a possibility of something being true in the past, although it was not in fact true. Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. Learn a new word every day. We hired a car and we were able to/managed to drive 1,000 miles in one week. 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. Could we have another cup of tea, please? Could is often used in reporting structures. Im certain that the storm will get worse. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. When discussing the past in this context, the word could is often used alongside the auxiliary verb have. (The speaker remembers hearing You can book the tickets online.). (permission), I could speak French fluently when I was younger. He could play football well when he was a kid. 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. Instead you use might not have or may not have. 2. to show disapproval (to show that we dont like what someone has done): Grandfather, how could you? So, you will use "could" for suggestions. or We might could drive to France. I would buy a big house if I had a million dollars. ( Ability in the Past) Examples: I could speak four languages when I was younger. This could be our only chance to get out of here. Could does not have this meaning. To save this word, you'll need to log in. You use can to say that something is sometimes possible. Be Careful!Don't use 'could not' to say that there is a possibility that something is not true. Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. Add ${headword} to one of your lists below, or create a new one. I don't think you're getting enough sleep. Like other auxiliary verbs, can and could often appear alone in sentences. Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. You could [= might, may] be making the biggest mistake of your life! of can 1. auxiliary verb. Glamor or Glamour Whats the Difference? I would to buy a new car if I had the money. Im not certain that the storm will get worse. 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? ): The food was terrible. WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS? (I was so angry) you could have warned me! 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? How to use a word that (literally) drives some pe Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference. We dont usually use could to talk about single events that happened in the past. Advertisement Could is also used in the context of ability, possibility, or permission. If loading fails, click here to try again. I am certain that it is blue. 2. a used to say that something is possible. 2. Add could to one of your lists below, or create a new one. 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. (used in asking for permission): Could I borrow your pen? As you can see, could is simply making a statement of ability. Hear a word and type it out. It was stuck. They could be the champions if they can start to get along. Sure!. Choose the correct option to complete each sentence. Should you use would or could" in your sentence? We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. . Jerry Brown, California's once and could-be future governor, is a master of reinvention, just like the pop icon. The negative form of could is could not or couldn't. We use couldnt have + -ed form as the negative form of must have + -ed. Please wait while the activity loads. could (kd; unstressed kd) v. 1. a pt. When I was in high school, I could do my homework on the bus. 2. Im not going to punish you, even though I could [punish you]. All rights reserved. If this activity does not load, try refreshing your browser. There are two other auxiliary verbs whose conjugations are similar to can and could. 4. Could you add some windshield wiper fluid? Improve your vocabulary with English Vocabulary in Use from Cambridge.Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence. Note: These are only a handful of many aborted could-be classics. Related Words and Phrases See Also What is the opposite of could? Additionally, I will show you a memory tool that can help you choose would or could correctly every time. Again? 2. You'd look great! We use couldnt have + -ed form as the negative form of must have + -ed. It was stuck. Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. Could and couldnt are the past forms of can and cant: When I was younger, I could run a mile in 7 minutes. If you want to say that someone had the ability to do something in the past, although they don't now have this ability, you say that they used to be able to do it. This is because they are facts, rather than possibilities: I was able to/managed to buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. Find out which word to choose and when. (used in asking for permission): Could I borrow your pen? Sign up to make the most of YourDictionary. Could. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/could. Its a fact. If it rains on the date of the wedding, we _________ have the ceremony inside the church instead of in the park. What does would mean? 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. As you can see, could is making a simple claim of ability. Need synonyms for could? I hate to ask you for another favor, but I wonder if I could pay you to drive me home. Anthony said you-could hear Emmy's tongue striking the roof of her-mouth all thee time. We use could, may and might to express degrees of possibility. A few weeks wouldn't mean the difference in paying for college, and she could use the time to relax. 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! They could be at home. And Glora and Alanin our present size-could doubtless disembark safely. Be able to is more formal than can. __________ I buy a DVD or a watch for my father's birthday? Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. In my prime, I could bench press 250 pounds. . Also see under can; couldn't. , in the past conditional We said we would go if we could. Possibility and impossibility. Using the word opinion. Its a fact. We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. Ive got to be in the meeting at 10 and the train doesnt get in until 10.15. (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.) You really __________ stay up so late. When it comes to ability and hypothetical situations, would and could are used slightly differently. We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. In this article, well explain the differences between can and could, cover when and how both words should be used, and provide examples that show how theyre typically used in sentences. Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright 2013 by the Philip Lief Group. (I was so angry) you could have warned me! 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. Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Random House, Inc. 2023, Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English. Usage see: can. If I were to take a vacation, it would be somewhere warm and tropical. Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. Sentences with the word could We use can: We dont usually use could to talk about single events that happened in the past. Here's How. For example, You would take Broadway. As you can see, the choice is gone from the sentence, so it is no longer a suggestion. You could at least have called me. Could in the present only expresses weak possibility. Could is the past tense of can, a verb used to denote ability. Could is the past tense of can, a verb used to denote ability. Could and would are related, but they mean different things. Maybe John could even contact local TV stations., Note: In this case, would is often shortened tod. We use can: We dont usually use could to talk about single events that happened in the past. 3. 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. The subject and could change position to form questions. The word can is an auxiliary verb (or helping verb) and a modal verb. Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. How many times have you done that? Doing my homework on the bus was something that I did do, not just something that I had the ability to do. Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We This is because they are facts, rather than possibilities: I was able to/managed to buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? What is the Difference Between Could and Would? Invitations should be definite. I waited ages for you - you could have said that you weren't coming! The evidence is not conclusive, but he could (very well) be right. 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. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'could.' Not only is it a tongue twister, but its also confusing to figure out the difference. 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 this year's Sundance sales frenzy a direct result of last year's little-movie-that-could? Now, take a look at the difference between "would" and "could" in polite expressions. (The original words were probably: You can wait in the hallway.), She said we could book the tickets online. We could to order pizza tonight. Don't use can or could after any other verbs. Could is also used to talk about ability in the present, but it has a special meaning. In this sense, could refers to some ability that someone had in the past. If you think about would being the past tense of will, then it completely makes sense. In my opinion, you _________ dye your hair blonde. You have a bit of knowledge about verbs, so maybe think about giving action verbs a try. We use could to ask for permission. Using COULD COULD and/or COULDNT is used as the past tense of CAN and/or CANT. Could you tell me which one is more expensive? I had the ability to do my homework on the bus, but this doesnt mean that I did. 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. (permission), Sure, you can have some water. I __________ call you last night because I left my cell phone at home. Eaten or Ate: Feed Your Curiosity By Learning The Difference, Showed Or Shown: See The Difference For Yourself, 10 Enduring Quotes From Martin Luther King Jr To Move You To Action, How To Write An Essay Outline: Tips And Examples, Beyond The Basics: 40+ Distinctive Adjectives To Describe A Person, Master The Art Of Writing With These Top Literary Devices And Examples, Hows That Work-Laugh Balance? If you were to put would into one of those same sentences, it turns it into a command rather than a suggestion. Not: We hired a car and we could drive 1,000 miles in one week. If you want to say that it is impossible that something is true, you use cannot or could not. Many native speakers disagree on which one expresses more or less certainty. You could [= might, may] be making the biggest mistake of your life! If you want to say that someone did not do something because they did not have the ability to do it, you say that they could not have done it. Lets take the first of these two examples. A few weeks wouldn't mean the difference in paying for college, and she could use the time to relax. A good way to remember the differences between these two words is simply to bring each word back to its root verb. We often use could have + -ed form to express disapproval or criticism: You could have called to say you would be late. I simply had the ability to do so. Could expresses possibility, while would expresses certainty and intent. Would is also a modal verb used to denote possibility, and it often refers to something that is conditional but definite within those conditions. We use could to ask for permission. You could have gone to the park with your friends if you had finished your homework on time. Lets again look at the first example. 4. Cannot and could not are used to say that someone is or was forbidden to do something. Add ${headword} to one of your lists below, or create a new one. , and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present (= Maybe they will come by car.) 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 Case in Point or Case and Point Whats the Difference? We use could when reporting clauses with can as past events: They told us we could wait in the hallway. If you ever have trouble deciding on would or could, remember where they come from. 1. (= Maybe they will come by car.) 10. , and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present could've contraction: colloquial, abbreviation (could have) potere v : I could've been someone, you know. She could not ( couldnt ) drive a car. An old-fashioned rule we can no longer put up with. (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.) This medicine could help your cold. 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. If you want to say that it is impossible that something was true, you use could not have. You _________ like my brother if you got to know him better. (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.) 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 Clear up your doubts about confusing words and use English more confidently! Be able to is sometimes used after modals such as might or should, and after verbs such as want, hope, or expect. We use could when reporting clauses with can as past events: They told us we could wait in the hallway. or We might could drive to France. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. A firework couldnt have done all that damage. .css-1w804bk{font-size:16px;}See how your sentence looks with different synonyms. When used this way, could is used to express conditional or hypothetical ability or possibility even when talking about the present or the future. You could [= might, may] be making the biggest mistake of your life! (= Maybe they are at home.) In high school, I could dunk a basketball. Conflicting, positive or strongly held? When it comes to polite expressions, like making a request or asking permission, could and would can be used pretty interchangeably. Both could and would are verbs that have many senses. ( Ability in the Past) Examples: I could speak four languages when I was younger. , in the past conditional We said we would go if we could. He could not move his arm. to make polite offers: Would you like anything to drink? Both would and could are modal auxiliary verbs, which are better known as a form of helping verbs. Still confused? The American Heritage Idioms Dictionary Good luck! You use a future form of be able to to talk about ability in the future. He could play football well when he was a kid. Thats not good you should go to the doctor., I want to make more friends, but I dont know how. Could you act as an interpreter for us, please? (I was so angry) you could have warned me! Related Words and Phrases See Also What is the opposite of could? This way, you will be able to see them in their proper context. Sometimes the difference between would and could isnt so clear. You shouldnt smoke. Over the next three days, temperatures could reach the low 20s in Washington, posing one last crucial test for the buds. (permission). 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! I waited ages for you - you (possibility), Could I have some water, please? When I was young, I could easily touch my toes. 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. Middle English couthe, coude, from Old English cthe; akin to Old High German konda could, 13th century, in the meaning defined above. 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.
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