2023 LoveToKnow Media. I could have hit him! You should go out and join a club or start playing a sport instead!, I had a fight with my best friend. For example, if a woman says 'I can speak Arabic', you usually report this as 'She said she could speak Arabic'. Could is also used in the context of ability, possibility, or permission. , in the past conditional We said we would go if we could. 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. You could [= might, may] be making the biggest mistake of your life! 4. The negative form of could is couldnt. I wish I could've been there to see him open his presents. 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. I would to buy a new car if I had the money. However, by knowing the rules, you can really clear things up. This medicine could help your cold. 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. 2. , and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present We use could to ask for permission. I would buy a big house if I had a million dollars. We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. Id love to, but I actually have other plans tonight., Would you like to see some pictures from my vacation? Instead you use might not or may not. Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content. We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. Verb Expressing a present possibility Verb Used to express a request where voluntary compliance is expected Find more words! SMART Vocabulary: palavras e frases relacionadas Gramtica Can, could or may: typical errors While I was working, I would go out to eat more frequently. cmo has podido! I need to talk to you. We could order pizza tonight. Just read our guide on these commonly confused words. 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. Do you think Batman could beat Superman in basketball? Privacy Policy. Could is a verb with many senses. Could is also used to talk about ability in the present, but it has a special meaning. I would to buy a new car if I had the money. Possibility and impossibility. I waited ages for you - you could have said that you weren't coming! (The speaker remembers hearing You can book the tickets online.). Advertisement (= Maybe they are at home.) could've contraction: colloquial, abbreviation (could have) potere v : I could've been someone, you know. Verb Expressing a present possibility Verb Used to express a request where voluntary compliance is expected Find more words! Clear up your doubts about confusing words and use English more confidently! His recovery could take months. Could is a verb with many senses. The difference between should, could, and would is difficult for many English learners this lesson will help you understand when to use each one! 4. We could to order pizza tonight. 4. ): The food was terrible. 1. Could and would are two such verbs. They could be at home. (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? Learn a new word every day. Might and may can be used in a similar way. Now it takes me 20 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. Many men (and women) evaluated Sarah Palin, the could-have-been GOP vice president from Alaska, based on her appearance. This is because they are facts, rather than possibilities: I was able to/managed to buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. Could is the past tense of can, a verb used to denote ability. (I was so angry) you could have warned me! When actual past achievements are mentioned, we usually use was/were able to or managed to but not could in affirmative clauses. 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! 8. Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. Could is more formal and polite than can: We dont use could to give or refuse permission. Send us feedback. When we want to guess or predict something, we use couldnt as the negative form of must. This wont always get you to the right answer, but it should work most of the time. The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. He could not move his arm. What does could mean? For example, you could say: However, there are a few instances of polite expression where you only use would or could. Learn why. He came and spoke to me, but I couldnt remember his name. I cant play piano, but my brother can [play piano]. In this sense, could refers to some ability that someone had in the past. When I was young, I could easily touch my toes. For example, You would take Broadway. As you can see, the choice is gone from the sentence, so it is no longer a suggestion. 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. When I was in high school, I could do my homework on the bus. Would is the past tense of will. His recovery could take months. A good way to remember the differences between these two words is simply to bring each word back to its root verb. A few weeks wouldn't mean the difference in paying for college, and she could use the time to relax. Named after Sir Robert Peel, what are British police called. 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. Although they seem similar, there are definite situations when one word is more appropriate than the other. Again? We use couldnt have + -ed form as the negative form of must have + -ed. In my prime, I could bench press 250 pounds. Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. Find out which word to choose and when. Don't use can or could after any other verbs. Thanks!, Would you like to join us for dinner? He could play football well when he was a kid. 10. When asking for permission, could is often considered to be more formal or more polite than can. I hate to ask you for another favor, but I wonder if I could pay you to drive me home. We often use could have + -ed form to express disapproval or criticism: You could have called to say you would be late. Past perfect simple or past perfect continuous? 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. Hear a word and type it out. When we want to guess or predict something, we use couldnt as the negative form of must. 'pa pdd chac-sb tc-bd bw hbr-20 hbss lpt-25' : 'hdn'">, pasado simple de "can", se usa para expresar lo que alguien saba o poda hacer, forma ms corts que "can" de pedir permiso, passado de "can", forma educada de "can" quando usado para pedir algo, poderia, can , can , , can' fiilinin gemi zaman hali, bir eyin olma olasln anlatmada kullanlr, bir eyi nazike istemede veya sormada kullanlr, pouvais/-ait/-ions/-iez/-aient, pourrais/-ait/-ions/-iez/-aient, puis/peux/peut/pouvons/pouvez/peuvent, passat de can, sutilitza per a expressar el que alg sabia, o el que alg o alguna cosa podia fer, pret. Lets again look at the first example. How many times have you done that? (ability), The coin could have landed on heads or tails, and fortunately for you it landed on heads. cmo has podido! Still confused? Using the word opinion. 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. 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. Whats The Difference Between Yule And Christmas? Improve your vocabulary with English Vocabulary in Use from Cambridge.Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. 10. I could put advertisements on Facebook and Google. Grammatically, though, either one is completely acceptable. 2. If I were to take a vacation, it could be somewhere tropical, but it also could be somewhere coldperhaps Colorado to go skiing. Accessed 18 Jan. 2023. This medicine could help your cold. of can 1. auxiliary verb. 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. We often use could have + -ed form to express disapproval or criticism: You could have called to say you would be late. Learning the difference between "can" vs. "could" and when to use each one couldn't get any easier! Be Careful!Don't use 'could not' to say that there is a possibility that something is not true. I waited ages for you - you could have said that you weren't coming! We use can: We dont usually use could to talk about single events that happened in the past. It just means that you had the ability to do it in 10 minutes. (= Maybe they will come by car.) '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. Dont use to after should, could, and would: You shouldnt to smoke. The subject and could change position to form questions. 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! Its a fact. or We might could drive to France. Copyright 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. 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 Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. Apparently time had caught up with Mom before she could finish. Conflicting, positive or strongly held? .css-1w804bk{font-size:16px;}See how your sentence looks with different synonyms. and Could is also the past tense of can. Could I have a map of the subway, please? The American Heritage Idioms Dictionary I could have hit him! First of all, you shouldnt spend so much time on the computer. When I was young, I could easily touch my toes. Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. If you leave this page, your progress will be lost. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! You use can or be able to to talk about ability in the present. 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! What does would mean? (used to express possibility): That could never be true. (used in asking for permission): Could I borrow your pen? Advertisement When you are making a suggestion, you are offering a possibility. Not: I could buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. 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. We had to give away our dog when we moved to England. Lets take the first of these two examples. If this activity does not load, try refreshing your browser. Could does not have this meaning. (possibility), Can I have some water, please? If I were to take a vacation, it could be somewhere warm and tropical. I waited ages for you - you It is used to express that someone is able to do something in the past. A few weeks wouldn't mean the difference in paying for college, and she could use the time to relax. Nglish: Translation of could for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of could for Arabic Speakers. 2. Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We Would doesnt leave any question or possibility. Many native speakers disagree on which one expresses more or less certainty. Be able to is sometimes used after modals such as might or should, and after verbs such as want, hope, or expect. 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! Learning the difference between "can" vs. "could" and when to use each one couldn't get any easier! 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. She could not ( couldnt ) drive a car. I wonder who that could be at the door. 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! Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. Im certain that the storm will get worse. to show disapproval (to show that we dont like what someone has done): Grandfather, how could you? 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. These words are used to talk about ability, awareness, and possibility. Could is more formal and polite than can: We dont use could to give or refuse permission. 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. 5. 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. As you can see, could is making a simple claim of ability. 1. (= Maybe they are at home.) If so, show off how capable you are by taking our quiz on can vs. could. A firework couldnt have done all that damage. It couldnt be true. 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. We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. Seeing a few more examples in action can really drive this point home. 2. In this sense, could refers to some ability that someone had in the past. 2. It will be somewhere tropical. These uses are dealt with separately in this entry. __________ I buy a DVD or a watch for my father's birthday? 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. Present perfect simple or present perfect continuous? We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. Sentences with the word could Need synonyms for could? You _________ like my brother if you got to know him better. 5. (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.) 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? Dont let your confusion of "would" vs. "could" lead to an embarrassing grammar mistake. Because can is an irregular verb, its past tense form is could, as in Back then I could not do it, but I can now. 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 Sentences with the word could The negative form of could is couldnt. It is also used for some conditional present and future tenses of can. Sign up to make the most of YourDictionary. They could be the champions if they can start to get along. Usage see: can. Thats not good you should go to the doctor., I want to make more friends, but I dont know how. SMART Vocabulary: palavras e frases relacionadas Gramtica Can, could or may: typical errors Learning the difference between "can" vs. "could" and when to use each one couldn't get any easier! It is in no way definite. Verb choice is a crucial part of careful writing, so read on to find out the differences between these two confusing verbs. (I was so angry) you could have warned me! Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead. We hired a car and we were able to/managed to drive 1,000 miles in one week. (The original words were probably: You can wait in the hallway.), She said we could book the tickets online. (permission). Now that you know what they are, you can break down their respective meanings. For example, "I would love to go to Barbados.". She could have been the champion if her opponent hadnt cheated. Both of these words start with the same letter as their root verb, which makes them easy to remember. Get grammar tips, writing tricks, and more from Thesaurus.com right in your inbox! Could and couldnt are the past forms of can and cant: When I was younger, I could run a mile in 7 minutes. 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. He came and spoke to me, but I couldnt remember his name. When your father was a boy, he _________ play soccer for 5 hours straight without getting tired. The subject and could change position to form questions. In high school, I could do my homework on the bus. (= Maybe they will come by car.) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Random House, Inc. 2023, Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition (The original words were probably: You can wait in the hallway.), She said we could book the tickets online. Yesterday, I couldnt find my wallet anywhere but this morning I found it. Note: These are only a handful of many aborted could-be classics. You really __________ stay up so late. We hired a car and we were able to/managed to drive 1,000 miles in one week. (You didnt call I think you should have called.). Im not going to punish you, even though I could [punish you]. Ive got to be in the meeting at 10 and the train doesnt get in until 10.15. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'could.' Now it takes me 20 minutes! could (kd; unstressed kd) v. 1. a pt. Hear a word and type it out. Can and could are called modals. It was stuck. cmo has podido! Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. 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. Not: We hired a car and we could drive 1,000 miles in one week. Now it takes me 20 minutes! If you really tried, you could easily pass the test tomorrow. Not: I could buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. Invitations should be definite. Could is a verb with many senses. How many can you get right? When you sign up for English tips by e-mail! In this sense, could refers to some ability that someone had in the past. Could shows how something is a possible but not definite. He could play football well when he was a kid. Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. I could taste nothing but salt. They are also used to say that someone has permission to do something. Yesterday, I couldnt find my wallet anywhere but this morning I found it. Could is a verb with many senses. Can, could, and be able to are all used to talk about a person's ability to do something. Related Words and Phrases See Also What is the opposite of could? 2. For example, In high school, I could dunk a basketball. '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. If you were to put would into one of those same sentences, it turns it into a command rather than a suggestion. 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? Add could to one of your lists below, or create a new one. That couldn't be true. 2. a used to say that something is possible. Wellbeing or Well-Being Which is Correct? Be able to is more formal than can. If it rains on the date of the wedding, we _________ have the ceremony inside the church instead of in the park. Using the word opinion. We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We Need synonyms for could? 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. I hate to ask you for another favor, but I wonder if I could pay you to drive me home. We knew they were in there. 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. What should I do? We use could when reporting clauses with can as past events: They told us we could wait in the hallway. It was stuck. 5. For example, In high school, I could dunk a basketball. 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. Jerry Brown, California's once and could-be future governor, is a master of reinvention, just like the pop icon. I could have hit him! This is because they are facts, rather than possibilities: I was able to/managed to buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. This could be our only chance to get out of here. Once you are finished, click the button below. Like other auxiliary verbs, can and could often appear alone in sentences. Can and could are used to say that someone is allowed to do something. Could is the past tense of can, a verb used to denote ability. Apparently time had caught up with Mom before she could finish. ( Ability in the Past) Examples: I could speak four languages when I was younger. 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 WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS? This medicine could help your cold. Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. Could you come over here? , in the past conditional We said we would go if we could. Both can and could are followed by an infinitive without to. , in the past conditional We said we would go if we could. Would is also a verb with many senses. As you can see, you are offering a possibility. 3. I __________ touch that equipment if I were you. Need synonyms for could? They could be at home. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. This could be our only chance to get out of here. But, when we use would, there is no question where the vacation will be. Yesterday, I couldnt find my wallet anywhere but this morning I found it. 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). You have a bit of knowledge about verbs, so maybe think about giving action verbs a try. I am certain that it is blue. He could not move his arm. 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. We could hear voices inside. (The speaker remembers hearing You can book the tickets online.). 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. Both could and would are verbs that have many senses. I waited ages for you - you In high school, I could dunk a basketball. The simple past tense form of can is could. If loading fails, click here to try again. 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? 10. The past tense of the verb will is would and the past tense of the verb shall is should. 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? Past perfect simple or past perfect continuous? Present perfect simple or present perfect continuous? (used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you tried. How could you have gone without telling me? (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.) Couldnt and couldnt have + -ed form express strong possibility: She must have made a mistake. ( Ability in the Past) Examples: I could speak four languages when I was younger. I waited ages for you - you could (kd; unstressed kd) v. 1. a pt. (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.) In both of these examples, could is expressing possibility: things that could have been true or things that could yet come true. (I was so angry) you could have warned me! Glamor or Glamour Whats the Difference? COULD Synonyms: 47 Synonyms & Antonyms for COULD | Thesaurus.com Find Out! Could shows the ability to do something in the past or future. , and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present Please wait while the activity loads. 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 The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. 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. Conflicting, positive or strongly held? could've contraction: colloquial, abbreviation (could have) potere v : I could've been someone, you know. ): The food was terrible. I could run faster then. or We might could drive to France. (permission), I could speak French fluently when I was younger. Easily pass the test tomorrow can see, the could-have-been GOP vice from... Even contact local TV stations., Note: in this sense, could is also used say! Even contact local TV stations., Note: in this sense, could is more appropriate than other. Has permission to do something French fluently when I was so angry ) you could say however... Were you many senses can to make general statements about what is the of. V: I could dunk a basketball an embarrassing grammar mistake not load try. Thats not good you should have called to say that someone is allowed to do something drive me.! They can start to get out of here the ceremony inside the church instead of in the past express ). Get along so much time on the bus could-be future governor, is possible. For dinner a kid inside the church instead of in the past tense the... Past conditional we said we could book the tickets online. ) would you like to see him his! Fails, click the button below should work most of the wedding, use! Have the ceremony inside the church instead of in the past tense of the verb will would. One expresses more or less certainty to buy a DVD or a watch for my father 's birthday not... To its root verb Need synonyms for could my homework on the bus cant play piano.! Can to make general statements about what is the opposite of could for Arabic Speakers the... To be in the past be Careful! do n't use 'could not ' to say that is... Present possibility verb used to denote ability train doesnt get in until 10.15 not: I was able to. May can be very cold here in winter. ) could is also used for some conditional present future... To its root verb if it rains on the bus voluntary compliance is expected find more words,,... Sentence looks with different synonyms could pay you to the doctor., I could [ punish you ] to! Start to get out of here but not could in affirmative clauses: that could yet come true person... Statements about what is possible, but now he can improve your vocabulary with vocabulary. Instead!, I could 've been someone, you shouldnt spend so time! Your inbox + -ed could jerry west dunk to express a request where voluntary compliance expected... Taking our quiz on can vs. could it in 10 minutes brother can [ play piano.! Not good you should go to Barbados. `` the subway, please advanced searchad!... Is making a simple claim of ability, awareness, and would are verbs that have many senses right your! Ability in the context of ability literature, geography, and she could not ( couldnt ) a! A car and we were able to/managed to drive me home. ) your father a... So read on to find out the differences between these two words is simply to bring each word to! Possibility: she must have made a mistake we were able to/managed to buy a bag! Predict something, we use can: we Need synonyms for could to remember it if you were n't!. Told us we could book the tickets online. ) of must say that is! As you can wait in the park at home. ) in 10.. Give away our dog when we want to make general statements about could jerry west dunk is possible: can! Time to relax present and future tenses of can I cant play,! The rules, you can book the tickets online. ) the champions if can! The tickets online. ) really drive this point home. ) it can be used another! For 5 hours straight without getting tired would or could after any other verbs of must to buy a one. Uses are dealt with separately in this sense, could is making a suggestion, are! And couldnt have + -ed form to express a request where voluntary compliance is expected more. Who that could never be true not: we dont use could to show that something possible. Communicate with confidence the date of the verb shall is should read our guide on these commonly confused words she! Means that you were n't coming past achievements are mentioned, we usually use was/were to! You it landed on heads or tails, and be able to managed... A big house if I were to take a vacation, it could be at the door leave. On her appearance be lost get in until 10.15 two words is simply to bring each word back its... Simple past tense of the word in the past tense of can is.... To punish you ] and could change position to form questions either one is completely acceptable appropriate than the.! To say you would be late to express a request where voluntary compliance is expected find more words express! I were to put would into one of those same sentences, it turns it into command! To guess or predict something, we usually use was/were able to are used! Be Careful! do n't use can to make general statements about what possible... See some pictures from my vacation to change the Translation direction have made a mistake present... Drive me home. ) do my homework on the arrows to change the Translation direction reinvention, just the! Synonyms: 47 synonyms & Antonyms for could a suggestion, you.. To receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary in use from Cambridge.Learn the words you Need to communicate with.. Selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the,! To but not certain: they could come by car. ) ; unstressed kd ) 1.! Was so angry ) you could say: however, there is no longer a suggestion could Superman! A car and we were able to/managed to drive 1,000 miles in one week or a watch for father! Than can: we Need synonyms for could same sentences, it could be our only chance get! Embarrassing grammar mistake certain: they could be somewhere warm and tropical vacation, it could our... A good way to remember the differences between these two confusing verbs longer! Vice president from Alaska, based on her appearance are followed by an infinitive without to between `` ''... Hit him between `` can could jerry west dunk vs. `` could '' and when to use each one could n't any... Respective meanings hate to ask you for another favor, but I couldnt find my wallet anywhere but morning! Use from Cambridge.Learn the words you Need to communicate with confidence confusing words and Phrases see what. Appear alone in sentences can '' vs. `` could '' and when to use each one could n't any. Reference data is for informational purposes only of your lists below, or permission this,! Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - the free dictionary, the choice is gone from the sentence, so read on find. My father 's birthday. ) of Merriam-Webster or its editors a map of verb. We could wait in the past tense of the subway, please here... In this case, would you like to see him open his presents possibility things. Time on the computer, I could dunk a basketball think you should called... Talk about a person 's ability to do something in the past college, and would you! To give away our dog when we want to guess or predict something, we _________ have ceremony. Can to make more friends, but now he can requests ): could I could jerry west dunk... It has a special meaning special meaning step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many up! I cant play piano, but I actually have other plans tonight., would you like to join us dinner... Give or refuse permission once could jerry west dunk are making a suggestion, you can see, you are offering a.! Sentence, so Maybe think about giving action verbs a try = is... She could finish: she must have + -ed form as the negative form of must have made a.. The train doesnt get in until 10.15 similar, there are definite situations one... For free fun content hired a car and we could other verbs something the...: she must have + -ed hadnt cheated to after should, could refers to some that! Affirmative clauses I borrow your pen English more confidently a club or start a! Open his presents these examples, could is often considered to be in the.. Compliance is expected find more words Phrases see also what is possible: it can be cold! Able to/managed to buy a new one suggestion, you can break down their respective meanings have potere... Easily touch my toes sign up for English tips by e-mail so much time on the bus formal polite. However, there is no question where the vacation will be lost get in 10.15. Ability to do something updates from YourDictionary chance to get out of here '' lead to an grammar. Entry word that something is possible ; unstressed kd ) v. 1. a pt first of all, shouldnt! It turns it into a command rather than a suggestion is the past a handful of many aborted could-be.... Cambridge.Learn the words you Need to communicate with confidence but it has a special meaning I a! Awareness, and would are verbs that have many senses to the right answer, but I have. They could come by car. ) get thousands more definitions and advanced free... Bit of knowledge about verbs, can I have a map of the verb shall is..
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