COULD definition: 1. past simple of "can", used to talk about what someone or something was able or allowed to do…. Learn more.

The meaning of COULD is —used in auxiliary function in the past, in the past conditional, and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present. How to use could in a sentence.

Mar 23, 2023 · When you’re talking about the possibility of something happening in the future, use can if something is very likely to happen. Could, on the other hand, should be used for things that have an equal chance of not happening.

Could and would are related, but they mean different things. Could expresses possibility, while would expresses certainty and intent. A good way to remember the differences between these two words is simply to bring each word back to its root verb.

We use could to refer to single events that happened in the past, with verbs of the senses (smell, taste, see, hear, touch, etc.) and mental processes (think, believe, remember, understand …

We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. (= Maybe they will come by car.) They could be at home. (= Maybe they are at home.) We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.) You can easily get lost in ...

Definition of could modal verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

You use could to say emphatically that someone ought to do the thing mentioned, especially when you are annoyed because they have not done it. You use why couldn't in questions to express your surprise or annoyance that someone has not done something.

COULD definition: 1. used as the past form of 'can' to talk about what someone or something was able or allowed to…. Learn more.

Could I borrow your pen? You could write and ask for more information. You could at least have called me. See care. First recorded in 1450–1500; alteration of late Middle English coude, …