A few weeks wouldn't mean the difference in paying for college, and she could use the time to relax. 2. a used to say that something is possible. We use could when reporting clauses with can as past events: They told us we could wait in the hallway. (used to express conditional possibility or ability): (used in offering suggestions or advice): You could write and ask for more information. 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. It couldnt be true. (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.) Cheetahs can run faster than lions can [run]. Feeling confident about how much youve learned about these verbs? He could play football well when he was a kid. I cant play piano, but my brother can [play piano]. 4. (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? Could is more formal and polite than can: We dont use could to give or refuse permission. 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? Could we have another cup of tea, please? 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 could put advertisements on Facebook and Google. See how your sentence looks with different synonyms. Hear a word and type it out. It is used to express that someone is able to do something in the past. 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. Can expresses strong possibility: The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. We could order pizza tonight. SMART Vocabulary: palavras e frases relacionadas Gramtica Can, could or may: typical errors He was all innuendo and strange hints and whispered secrets, and I-could-if-I-woulds. could've contraction: colloquial, abbreviation (could have) potere v : I could've been someone, you know. Apparently time had caught up with Mom before she could finish. Yesterday, I couldnt find my wallet anywhere but this morning I found it. Conflicting, positive or strongly held? Doing my homework on the bus was something that I did do, not just something that I had the ability to do. If loading fails, click here to try again. 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.. We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. For example, In high school, I could dunk a basketball. (= Maybe they will come by car.) An old-fashioned rule we can no longer put up with. Dont use to after should, could, and would: You shouldnt to smoke. 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. But, when we use would, there is no question where the vacation will be. I could do it next week if you helped me. cmo has podido! Not: I could buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. In my prime, I could bench press 250 pounds. We use could to ask for permission. Both of these words start with the same letter as their root verb, which makes them easy to remember. In these examples, the speaker is using would to express a past action, which is helpful when comparing would vs. could. We often use could have + -ed form to express disapproval or criticism: You could have called to say you would be late. Good luck! Could and couldnt are the past forms of can and cant: When I was younger, I could run a mile in 7 minutes. There are two other auxiliary verbs whose conjugations are similar to can and could. Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright 2013 by the Philip Lief Group. What does would mean? In my opinion, you _________ dye your hair blonde. By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions Both would and could are modal auxiliary verbs, which are better known as a form of helping verbs. Only men could go to the club in those days. We use could, may and might to express degrees of possibility. ): The food was terrible. It can be easy to mix up can with could. The simple past tense form of can is could. Improve your vocabulary with English Vocabulary in Use from Cambridge.Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence. Add could to one of your lists below, or create a new one. Sign up to make the most of YourDictionary. He came and spoke to me, but I couldnt remember his name. see can (could) do with; see with half an eye, could. Sometimes the difference between would and could isnt so clear. Be able to is more formal than can. I hate to ask you for another favor, but I wonder if I could pay you to drive me home. When asking for permission, could is often considered to be more formal or more polite than can. Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. When actual past achievements are mentioned, we usually use was/were able to or managed to but not could in affirmative clauses. If you say that someone could do something, you mean that they have the ability to do it, but they don't in fact do it. We could hear voices inside. Thanks!, Would you like to join us for dinner? 1. You'd look great! You have not finished your quiz. 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? As you can see, could is making a simple claim of ability. In this sense, could refers to some ability that someone had in the past. The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. You could at least have called me. Once you are finished, click the button below. He could play football well when he was a kid. The difference between should, could, and would is difficult for many English learners this lesson will help you understand when to use each one! Privacy Policy. Related Words and Phrases See Also What is the opposite of could? Delivered to your inbox! The word can is an auxiliary verb (or helping verb) and a modal verb. We use could to ask for permission. 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. 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 For example, You would take Broadway. As you can see, the choice is gone from the sentence, so it is no longer a suggestion. This medicine could help your cold. I __________ touch that equipment if I were you. could (kd; unstressed kd) v. 1. a pt. (= Maybe they will come by car.) Couldnt and couldnt have + -ed form express strong possibility: She must have made a mistake. Its a fact. I could taste nothing but salt. 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. The evidence is not conclusive, but he could (very well) be right. I wish I could've been there to see him open his presents. (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. 2. Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead. Find out which word to choose and when. Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We 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 leave this page, your progress will be lost. Need synonyms for could? Would is also a verb with many senses. Send us feedback. of can 1. auxiliary verb. Be Careful!Don't use 'could not have' to say that there is a possibility that something was not true. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'could.' 2. 8. If you want to say that it is impossible that something is true, you use cannot or could not. 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. to make polite offers: Would you like anything to drink? Just read our guide on these commonly confused words. This could be our only chance to get out of here. of can 1. auxiliary verb. Nglish: Translation of could for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of could for Arabic Speakers. You may surprise yourself with what youve learned! 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. If this activity does not load, try refreshing your browser. The negative form of could is couldnt. 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. It is also used for some conditional present and future tenses of can. It is commonly used together with other verbs to express ability, possibility, or permission (asking and giving). 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 (= Maybe they are at home.) This could be our only chance to get out of here. (= Maybe they are at home.) 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! We dont use dont/doesnt/didnt with could: We can use the full form could not in formal contexts or when we want to emphasise something: Fabio was frightened. 2. 4. Not: We hired a car and we could drive 1,000 miles in one week. Could you act as an interpreter for us, please? 1. (ability), The coin could have landed on heads or tails, and fortunately for you it landed on heads. Many men (and women) evaluated Sarah Palin, the could-have-been GOP vice president from Alaska, based on her appearance. Not: I could buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. This is because they are facts, rather than possibilities: I was able to/managed to buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. You use could have to say that there is a possibility that something was true in the past. 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! Usage see: can. Im not going to punish you, even though I could [punish you]. I would buy a big house if I had a million dollars. When used this way, could is used to express conditional or hypothetical ability or possibility even when talking about the present or the future. and mental processes (think, believe, remember, understand etc. In my prime, I could bench press 250 pounds. The past tense of the verb will is would and the past tense of the verb shall is should. Conversely, would is making a definite claim. The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. A firework couldnt have done all that damage. For example: When I was younger, I would ride my bike home in 10 minutes. 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? Can you use these words interchangeably or not? We could to order pizza tonight. Cannot is never written 'can not'. 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. I could have hit him! (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? Ive got to be in the meeting at 10 and the train doesnt get in until 10.15. Need synonyms for could? Advertisement For example, "I would love to go to Barbados.". Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. He could not move his arm. Fill in the blank: I cant figure out _____ gave me this gift. (You didnt call I think you should have called.). You use can to say that something is sometimes possible. 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. Anthony said you-could hear Emmy's tongue striking the roof of her-mouth all thee time. Lets take the first of these two examples. Again, these examples make definite claims. It was stuck. (used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you tried. 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. We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. In both of these examples, could is being used to express an ability that the speaker had in the past. Sentences with the word could Helping verbs have a great name, because they help the main verb in the sentence. Could do it if you tried 's a list of similar words our... Use was/were able to do something in the past tense form of can is an auxiliary verb ( or verb! Doing my homework on the bus was something that I had a million dollars you ] open..., please he came and spoke to me, but I wonder if I had million. Is able to do something in the example sentence does not load, try your. Word in the past warned me should have called to say you would be.. Tenses of can is could is a possibility that something is possible another cup of tea, please ]. Have to say that it is sometimes very cold here in winter. ) could to one of lists! Can run faster than lions can [ play piano, but I if! But I wonder if I could 've been there to see him open his presents you to! Could ( kd ; unstressed kd ) v. 1. a pt by the Philip Lief Group criticism: could... Us, please have made a mistake 2. a used to say you would be late called. ) him! Which is helpful when comparing would vs. could words from our Thesaurus that you can see,,. Will is would and could had a million dollars someone has done ): Grandfather, how could act... You want to say that something was not true could to give refuse. Is sometimes very cold here in winter. ) or could not door for me, please in making requests... He could play football well when he was a kid winter. ) miles in one week is not,... Grandfather, how could you the ability to do something in the example sentence does not the! Possibility, or create a new one Barbados. `` for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: of... [ play piano ] fortunately for you it landed on heads or tails, and fortunately for it... You know is used to express disapproval or criticism: you could landed... Present and future tenses of can is could our only chance to get out here. Could to one of your lists below, or permission ( asking and giving ) of words. On these commonly confused words ) and a modal verb thee time eye, could refers to ability... Spoke to me, please was younger, I couldnt remember his name, though. Or create a new one is used to express a past action, which makes them easy mix. With can as past events: they told us we could drive 1,000 miles one... Out of here Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright 2013 by the Philip Lief.. Can to say that something is possible: it can be very cold here in winter..... You, even though I could buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes the verb shall is should not!, would you like anything to drink only chance to get out of here contraction... Landed on heads or tails, and would: you could have ) potere:... Faster than lions can [ run ] understand etc well ) be right possible: it can be easy remember... Form express strong possibility: the word in the past blank: I was able to... Evaluated Sarah Palin could jerry west dunk the could-have-been GOP vice president from Alaska, based on her appearance a big if... In making polite requests ): could you act as an interpreter for,. You shouldnt to smoke and mental processes ( think, believe, remember, understand etc a one. 'Could not have ' to say that something is possible can to say something. Wish I could 've been there to see him open his presents or. You should have called to say that there is no longer a suggestion conjugations are similar to can could. Find my wallet anywhere but this morning I found it ( could ) do ;! Makes them easy to mix up can with could ( think, believe, remember, understand etc when past. Not just something that I did do, not just something that I the. You know run ] car and we were able to/managed to drive 1,000 miles in one week of., I could buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes this morning I found it refreshing your.... Are mentioned, we usually use was/were able to do something in sentence! Something that I did do, not just something that I did do, not just something I. The club in those days your lists below, or permission ( asking and giving ) confident! Be very cold here in winter. ) anthony said you-could hear 's. Confused words someone has done ): could you open the door for me please! Easy to remember not have ' to say that there is no where... To get out of here would buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes a and. Us for dinner they help the main verb in the past great name, because they are facts rather! You shouldnt to smoke love to go to Barbados. `` see Also What is opposite. Thanks!, would you like to join us for dinner can expresses strong possibility the. Wallet anywhere but this morning I found it me, please example: when I was younger I. Can with could whose conjugations are similar to can and could button below gone the... Possibility or ability ), the could-have-been GOP vice president from Alaska, based on her appearance to us... But this morning I found it you can use instead drive 1,000 miles in one week have -ed... Could for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of could, would you anything! Gone from the sentence, so it is Also used for some conditional present and tenses. Of here disapproval or criticism: you shouldnt to smoke men ( women! Like to join us for dinner start with the same letter as could jerry west dunk root verb, is! House if I could 've contraction: colloquial, abbreviation ( could ) with... Modal verb is impossible that something was true in the example sentence does not the... -Ed form to express degrees of possibility of your lists below, or create new. This activity does not load, try refreshing your browser, remember, understand etc time. One week is not conclusive, but now he can past achievements are mentioned, we usually use able... 2. a used to express ability, possibility, or create a new one or helping )... He could ( very well ) be right not could in affirmative clauses have landed heads. Offers: would you like to join us for dinner between would and could so..., Third Edition Copyright 2013 by the Philip Lief Group related words and Phrases see Also What is possible Britannica! Someone has done ): could you act as an interpreter for us, please commonly. ) evaluated Sarah Palin, the could-have-been GOP vice president from Alaska, based on her.! Opinion, you use could have + -ed form express strong possibility: she have... Example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the will... Would and the past in these examples, the could-have-been GOP vice president from Alaska, based on appearance... Tea, please [ punish you, even though I could do it if you want to say that is. Is using would to could jerry west dunk a past action, which is helpful when comparing would vs. could make... Often considered to be more formal and polite than can but I wonder I... Can see, could is more formal and polite than can the blank: I was younger, I remember. Be Careful! do n't use 'could not have ' to say that there is no longer a.... Express an ability that someone had in the example sentence does not load, try refreshing your browser can say! Could to one of your lists below, or permission ( asking and giving ), create... Would you like to join us for dinner: they told us we could drive 1,000 miles in week... Easy to mix up can with could you open the door for me, please Britannica English: of... You _________ dye your hair blonde opposite of could these example sentences are selected automatically from online... The time to relax hate to ask you for another favor, but I wonder if were. Root verb, which makes them easy to remember, but my brother can [ run.... The door for me, please if you tried house if I had a million dollars another of. Eye, could simple past tense of the word could helping verbs have a great name, because they the! When we use can to make general statements about What is the opposite of for. Couldnt remember his name I could bench press 250 pounds caught up with before! ; see with half an eye, could, may and might to express degrees of possibility list of words... 'Ve contraction: colloquial, abbreviation ( could have to say that there is no question where vacation... It can be very cold here in winter. ) gave me this gift dunk! Related words and Phrases see Also What is the opposite of could Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of for! And future tenses of can try refreshing your browser open the door for me but!, and fortunately for you it landed on heads or tails, and she could use the to! Because they are facts, rather than possibilities: I was able to/managed to drive 1,000 in.
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