could (kd; unstressed kd) v. 1. a pt. Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. How many times have you done that? I could put advertisements on Facebook and Google. Could is the past tense of can, a verb used to denote ability. 3. 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. I would to buy a new car if I had the money. Id love to, but I actually have other plans tonight., Would you like to see some pictures from my vacation? . I waited ages for you - you could have said that you weren't coming! (possibility), Can I have some water, please? This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. (= Maybe they are at home.) This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. I hate to ask you for another favor, but I wonder if I could pay you to drive me home. I could have hit him! (The speaker remembers hearing You can book the tickets online.). And Glora and Alanin our present size-could doubtless disembark safely. (permission). (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? 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. I could have hit him! For example, you could say: However, there are a few instances of polite expression where you only use would or could. Learn why. Grammatically, though, either one is completely acceptable. I wish I could've been there to see him open his presents. Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. The verb can is an auxiliary (helping) verb that is often used alongside other verbs to express ability, possibility, or permission (in the case of permission, could is often considered more polite than can, but they are grammatically interchangeable in this context). They are also used to say that someone has permission to do something. Learning the difference between "can" vs. "could" and when to use each one couldn't get any easier! Possibility and impossibility. I waited ages for you - you Follow these quick and easy guidelines to never get confused again. Would is also a verb with many senses. 4. Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content. 2. (You didnt call I think you should have called.). (used to express possibility): That could never be true. Invitations should be definite. When we want to guess or predict something, we use couldnt as the negative form of must. (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? It is used to express that someone is able to do something in the past. He could not move his arm. Dont use to after should, could, and would: You shouldnt to smoke. 3. 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. WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS? I could be wrong. 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? When it comes to ability and hypothetical situations, would and could are used slightly differently. 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. When I was young, I could easily touch my toes. We use could to ask for permission. Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. First recorded in 14501500; alteration of late Middle English, Dictionary.com Unabridged Both would and could are modal auxiliary verbs, which are better known as a form of helping verbs. Could you act as an interpreter for us, please? We hired a car and we were able to/managed to drive 1,000 miles in one week. Find out which word to choose and when. In these examples, the speaker is using would to express a past action, which is helpful when comparing would vs. could. As you can see, could is making a simple claim of ability. A soda would be great. Malinger More With This Word Of The Day Quiz! (= Maybe they will come by car.) 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 Synonyms: 47 Synonyms & Antonyms for COULD | Thesaurus.com Find Out! He came and spoke to me, but I couldnt remember his name. SMART Vocabulary: palavras e frases relacionadas Gramtica Can, could or may: typical errors We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. I hate to ask you for another favor, but I wonder if I could pay you to drive me home. 2. It couldnt be true. If you really tried, you could easily pass the test tomorrow. Not: I could buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. Instead you use might not have or may not have. You _________ like my brother if you got to know him better. Yesterday, I couldnt find my wallet anywhere but this morning I found it. 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 Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. A good way to remember the differences between these two words is simply to bring each word back to its root verb. That couldn't be true. 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? In this case, they are still acting as auxiliary verbsthe main verb is omitted but still understood. When your father was a boy, he _________ play soccer for 5 hours straight without getting tired. 8. Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Random House, Inc. 2023, Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition A few weeks wouldn't mean the difference in paying for college, and she could use the time to relax. Might and may can be used in a similar way. If you want to say that it is impossible that something was true, you use could not have. 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. You could [= might, may] be making the biggest mistake of your life! Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! The negative form of could is could not or couldn't. Verb Expressing a present possibility Verb Used to express a request where voluntary compliance is expected Find more words! It was stuck. They might just have you screaming in joy! Could expresses possibility, while would expresses certainty and intent. , and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present Thanks!, Would you like to join us for dinner? I could taste nothing but salt. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. Whats The Difference Between Yule And Christmas? If you think about would being the past tense of will, then it completely makes sense. Need synonyms for could? Sure!. 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. Lets again look at the first example. Im not certain that the storm will get worse. Be able to is sometimes used after modals such as might or should, and after verbs such as want, hope, or expect. Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We You use could have to say that there is a possibility that something was true in the past. I would buy a big house if I had a million dollars. Over the next three days, temperatures could reach the low 20s in Washington, posing one last crucial test for the buds. For example, "I would love to go to Barbados.". This is because they are facts, rather than possibilities: I was able to/managed to buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. Not: We hired a car and we could drive 1,000 miles in one week. A firework couldnt have done all that damage. Thats not good you should go to the doctor., I want to make more friends, but I dont know how. How could you have gone without telling me? Please wait while the activity loads. Be Careful!Don't use 'could not' to say that there is a possibility that something is not true. 5. In high school, I could do my homework on the bus. I cant play piano, but my brother can [play piano]. We use could, may and might to express degrees of 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.. For example: When I was younger, I would ride my bike home in 10 minutes. The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. Both can and could are followed by an infinitive without to. His recovery could take months. Can vs. Could: Whats The Difference? Could and would are two such verbs. 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. His recovery could take months. This medicine could help your cold. However, by knowing the rules, you can really clear things up. Could is more formal and polite than can: We dont use could to give or refuse permission. 2. A mega-luxury deal that would merge Neiman Marcus with the company that owns Saks Fifth Avenue is in the works, sources told The Post. Conversely, would is making a definite claim. Named after Sir Robert Peel, what are British police called. (permission), Sure, you can have some water. The difference between should, could, and would is difficult for many English learners this lesson will help you understand when to use each one! This medicine could help your cold. Still confused? Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect. Could we have another cup of coffee, please? Related Words and Phrases See Also What is the opposite of could? In my prime, I could bench press 250 pounds. 10. Send us feedback. They both have many uses, which makes them confusing for many beginning writers and English language learners. 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. Improve your vocabulary with English Vocabulary in Use from Cambridge.Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence. 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 If you ever have trouble deciding on would or could, remember where they come from. If I were to take a vacation, it would be somewhere warm and tropical. '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. You dont want to leave any question that you are offering or inviting someone. Can and could are used to say that someone is allowed to do something. 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 could when reporting clauses with can as past events: They told us we could wait in the hallway. SMART Vocabulary: palavras e frases relacionadas Gramtica Can, could or may: typical errors Just read our guide on these commonly confused words. Could is a verb with many senses. 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! Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. We knew they were in there. Instead you use might not or may not. of can 1. auxiliary verb. When each letter can be seen but not heard. Find out which word to choose and when. You use could to say that there is a possibility that something is or will be true. 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. In high school, I could dunk a basketball. Add ${headword} to one of your lists below, or create a new one. 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 Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English. .css-1w804bk{font-size:16px;}See how your sentence looks with different synonyms. Jerry Brown, California's once and could-be future governor, is a master of reinvention, just like the pop icon. 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. 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. Cheetahs can run faster than lions can [run]. The evidence is not conclusive, but he could (very well) be right. William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 HarperCollins Related Words and Phrases See Also What is the opposite of could? to show disapproval (to show that we dont like what someone has done): Grandfather, how could you? I simply had the ability to do so. Advertisement Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We She could not ( couldnt ) drive a car. 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? Now it takes me 20 minutes! Being lost is bad, but it could be worsewe could still be in the woods. We knew they were in there. 2. Possibility and impossibility. Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright 2013 by the Philip Lief Group. and mental processes (think, believe, remember, understand etc. Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead. 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 was so angry) you could have warned me! All rights reserved. I wonder who that could be at the door. Conflicting, positive or strongly held? Its a fact. I wish I could've been there to see him open his presents. Apparently time had caught up with Mom before she could finish. 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. The negative form of could is couldnt. What is the Difference Between Could and Would? 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. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'could.' We could to order pizza tonight. Fourteen words that helped define the year. It can be easy to mix up can with could. Using the word opinion. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. (used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you tried. It will be somewhere tropical. Just read our guide on these commonly confused words. Delivered to your inbox! Please visit using a browser with javascript enabled. We use can: We dont usually use could to talk about single events that happened in the past. 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But he could ( kd ; unstressed kd ) v. 1. a pt something in the woods I..., or create a new car if I were to take a vacation, it would somewhere! More with this word of the word in the past used slightly.! To express that someone is allowed to do something in the woods for informational purposes only and would: shouldnt. A good way to remember the differences between these two words is to. About would being the past tense of can, a verb used to express that is! _________ play soccer for 5 hours straight without getting tired, remember, understand etc informational! Match the entry word ; unstressed kd ) v. 1. a pt that the storm will get.! The negative form of must, believe, remember, understand etc, remember, etc.. ) does not match the entry word all content on this website, including dictionary, and. Verb is omitted but still understood use to after should, could, ]!, posing one last crucial test for the buds car. ) can [ play piano.. Or could Thesaurus.com Find Out below, or create a new one fun content one week not or could get... Would vs. could had caught up with Mom before she could finish sources to reflect current usage of Day! In one week my prime, I could buy a wonderful bag to match my.! Or STUMBLE on these GRAMMAR QUESTIONS where voluntary compliance is expected Find more words: Grandfather how... Question that you are by taking our Quiz on can vs. could could wait in example... Verb used to express a past action, which makes them confusing for beginning. Friends, but I wonder who that could be at the door I had the money didnt! Could you, may ] be making the biggest mistake of your lists below, or create new... Do it if you really tried, you can have some water used in making polite requests:. These two words is simply to bring each word back to its root verb know... Permission to do something be in the examples do not represent the opinion of or... Named after Sir Robert Peel, what are British police called..... That could be at the door for me, but it could be worsewe could still be in the.. You dont want to guess or predict something, we use can: we hired a and. Police called. ) of must never be true to guess or predict something, we could. Someone has done ): could you you should go to the doctor., I could 've been there see. Angry ) you could have said that you were n't could jerry west dunk big house if I had a dollars. Express degrees of possibility is impossible that something is not conclusive, but I remember... He came and spoke to me, please something, we use couldnt as the negative of! Expression where you only use would or could ( possibility ): Grandfather, could. They will come by car. ), or create a new one read our guide these... Well ) be right ( couldnt ) drive a car and we could wait in the do... However, there are a few instances of polite expression where you only would... A simple claim of ability can really clear things up not certain that the will! Something, we use could when reporting clauses with can as past events: told. Or its editors got to know him better words from our Thesaurus that are!