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

Could is also used to talk about ability in the present, but it has a special meaning. 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 use could have to say that someone had the ability or opportunity to do something, but did not do it: She could have learned Swahili, but she didn't want to.

Mar 23, 2023 · Learn the difference between can vs. could and how to use each of them in a sentence, with examples of each word used correctly.

Master the word "COULD" in English: definitions, translations, synonyms, pronunciations, examples, and grammar insights - all in one complete resource.

Apr 9, 2025 · Learn 8 expert ways to use could in English—past abilities, polite requests, regrets, and more—with real examples and clear practice tips.

"Could" is a modal verb used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests. "Could" is also commonly used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of "can."

A list of what tend to be regarded as modal auxiliary verbs in Modern English, along with their inflected forms, is shown in the following table. Contractions are shown only if their orthography is distinctive. …

Oct 31, 2025 · Learn how to use the most common modal verbs Can, Could, May, and Might perfectly! This guide is perfect for beginners who want to improve their English grammar skills.