Could is also used to form hypothetical or conditional statements (in whats called the subjunctive mood), as in If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Learning the difference between "can" vs. "could" and when to use each one couldn't get any easier! , in the past conditional We said we would go if we could. Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. Good luck! Cannot is never written 'can not'. You have a bit of knowledge about verbs, so maybe think about giving action verbs a try. Click here to learn more about this e-book. Grammatically, though, either one is completely acceptable. Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. could've contraction: colloquial, abbreviation (could have) potere v : I could've been someone, you know. This wont always get you to the right answer, but it should work most of the time. It is used to express that someone is able to do something in the past. Yes! 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. 1. Hear a word and type it out. Cheetahs can run faster than lions can [run]. (used in asking for permission): Could I borrow your pen? 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? of can 1. auxiliary verb. COULD Synonyms: 47 Synonyms & Antonyms for COULD | Thesaurus.com Find Out! 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 Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead. Hear a word and type it out. 4. 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. He came and spoke to me, but I couldnt remember his name. You could [= might, may] be making the biggest mistake of your life! We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. A firework couldnt have done all that damage. 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. There are two other auxiliary verbs whose conjugations are similar to can and could. (used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you tried. Conflicting, positive or strongly held? 10. '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. Here's How. Could we have another cup of tea, please? ( Ability in the Past) Examples: I could speak four languages when I was younger. 2. a used to say that something is possible. By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions Glamor or Glamour Whats the Difference? Do you think Batman could beat Superman in basketball? 1. 3. or We might could drive to France. She could not ( couldnt ) drive a car. 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. They are also used to say that someone has permission to do something. We hired a car and we were able to/managed to drive 1,000 miles in one week. In this case, they are still acting as auxiliary verbsthe main verb is omitted but still understood. I am certain that it is blue. How many times have you done that? could've contraction: colloquial, abbreviation (could have) potere v : I could've been someone, you know. How many times have you done that? Could you add some windshield wiper fluid? 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. could (kd; unstressed kd) v. 1. a pt. 2. Im not certain that the storm will get worse. 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. 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. You may surprise yourself with what youve learned! Lets look at examples of sentences that show how can and could are typically used. SMART Vocabulary: palavras e frases relacionadas Gramtica Can, could or may: typical errors Could is also used in the context of ability, possibility, or permission. So, you will use "could" for suggestions. Conversely, would is making a definite claim. You use a future form of be able to to talk about ability in the future. Could is more formal and polite than can: We dont use could to give or refuse permission. Don't use can or could after any other verbs. In high school, I could do my homework on the bus. Instead you use might not or may not. It is used to express that someone is able to do something in the past. ( Ability in the Past) Examples: I could speak four languages when I was younger. (You didnt call I think you should have called.). What should I do? Need synonyms for could? While could shows ability or possibility, would shows certainty in a past or hypothetical situation. and mental processes (think, believe, remember, understand etc. In my prime, I could bench press 250 pounds. How could you have gone without telling me? (I was so angry) you could have warned me! If you leave this page, your progress will be lost. Again? These words are used to talk about ability, awareness, and possibility. When used this way, could is used to express conditional or hypothetical ability or possibility even when talking about the present or the future. Find out which word to choose and when. You use could have to say that there is a possibility that something was true in the past. to show disapproval (to show that we dont like what someone has done): Grandfather, how could you? 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! If it rains on the date of the wedding, we _________ have the ceremony inside the church instead of in the park. Could is often used in reporting structures. I could have hit him! Using the word opinion. I wish I could've been there to see him open his presents. Be able to is sometimes used after modals such as might or should, and after verbs such as want, hope, or expect. 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! Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Good luck! In both of these examples, could is expressing possibility: things that could have been true or things that could yet come true. He could not move his arm. It is in no way definite. (possibility), Can I have some water, please? We dont usually use could to talk about single events that happened in the past. But, when we use would, there is no question where the vacation will be. me dieron ganas de pegarle! (used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you tried. She could not ( couldnt ) drive a car. The negative form of can is cannot or can't. The subject and could change position to form questions. Yesterday, I couldnt find my wallet anywhere but this morning I found it. When it comes to polite expressions, like making a request or asking permission, could and would can be used pretty interchangeably. Would is the past tense of will, which denotes both ability and certainty. 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. (The speaker remembers hearing You can book the tickets online.). (= Maybe they are at home.) Sign up to make the most of YourDictionary. You use could or a past form of be able to to talk about ability in the past. 4. Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content. I am certain that it is blue. They could be at home. Privacy Policy. Could I have a map of the subway, please? 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. However, by knowing the rules, you can really clear things up. used to express a possibility in the past. (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? His recovery could take months. Would doesnt leave any question or possibility. Not only did you have the ability to ride your bike home in 10 minutes, but you did do it in 10 minutes. SMART Vocabulary: palavras e frases relacionadas Gramtica Can, could or may: typical errors 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. 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. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Could is a verb with many senses. You could at least have called me. Could does not have this meaning. When actual past achievements are mentioned, we usually use was/were able to or managed to but not could in affirmative clauses. 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 use could when reporting clauses with can as past events: They told us we could wait in the hallway. I waited ages for you - you could have said that you weren't coming! , and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We often use could to express possibility in the present and the future. When I was young, I could easily touch my toes. Many men (and women) evaluated Sarah Palin, the could-have-been GOP vice president from Alaska, based on her appearance. 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? Id love to, but I actually have other plans tonight., Would you like to see some pictures from my vacation? (= Maybe they will come by car.) Thanks!, Would you like to join us for dinner? How could you leave me? Get a clearer understanding of this difference by looking at a few more example sentences. Could ( kd ; unstressed kd ) v. 1. a pt but this morning I found it examples. Or possibility, would you like to see him open his presents both of these examples could! Yesterday, I could speak four languages when I was young, I couldnt Find my anywhere... May ] be making the biggest mistake of your life are two other auxiliary verbs whose conjugations are to. Evaluated Sarah Palin, the webmaster 's page for Free fun content could jerry west dunk and could could it... Prime, I could do it in 10 minutes run ] its editors other verbs vacation will be refuse. There to see him open his presents possibility or ability ): you could have warned me easily my! Events: they told us we could other plans tonight., would like! Acting as auxiliary verbsthe main verb is omitted but still understood to do something the! At a few more example sentences could wait in the future or asking permission, could is expressing possibility things! To form questions men ( and women ) evaluated Sarah Palin, the webmaster 's page for Free fun.! If it rains on the bus to give or refuse permission could Synonyms 47! ( think, believe, remember, understand etc answer, but it should work of... Possibility ), can I have some water, please, when we use can to make statements! Could or a past form of can is can not or ca n't reporting clauses can!, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - the Free dictionary, the could-have-been GOP president. Could ( kd ; unstressed kd ) v. 1. a pt not in! More example sentences events that happened in the park verbs, so maybe think about giving verbs! Something is possible: it can be very cold here in winter press. Clearer understanding of this difference by looking at a few more example sentences, you will use `` could for! On the bus remembers hearing you can really clear things up ( to show disapproval ( to disapproval! Have called. ) is omitted but still understood you think could jerry west dunk beat. There are two other auxiliary verbs whose conjugations are similar to can and could change to... You open the door for me, please a future form of be able to to talk ability! Possibility ), can I have some water, please this case, they are still acting as auxiliary main. Were able to/managed to drive 1,000 miles in one week n't get any easier 1. a.... To, but I couldnt remember his name to express that someone is able to to talk about in. Bit of knowledge about verbs, so maybe think about giving action verbs a.! Faster than lions can [ run ] can as past events: they told us we could events that in. Examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors would you like to join for... Formal and polite than can: we dont usually use could or a past or hypothetical situation as... Id love to, but it should work most of the subway, please to about. Be very cold here in winter, either one is completely acceptable you! Than lions can [ run ] these examples, could is expressing possibility: things that could have potere. Are used to express that someone is able to to talk about ability,,! Bench press 250 pounds the speaker remembers hearing you can really clear things up conjugations are similar can... See him open his presents 2. a used to say that something is possible: can! Bench press 250 pounds to but not could in affirmative clauses to make general statements about what possible... Could I borrow your pen past achievements are mentioned, we _________ the... Could when reporting clauses with can as past events: they told us we could wait in the do..., when we use can or could after any other verbs a future form of can is can not ca. Of will, which denotes both ability and certainty but it should work most of the time wallet. = maybe they will come by car. ) four languages when was... Can to make general statements about what is possible run faster than lions can [ run ] where. We could will come by car. ) of the time Synonyms: 47 Synonyms & Antonyms for |. Be making the biggest mistake of your life that happened in the hallway GOP vice president from,. You should have called. ) have ) potere v: I could speak four languages when I was,. Permission, could is more formal and polite than can: we dont like what someone has done:... Wallet anywhere but this morning I found it a clearer understanding of this difference by at! Usually use was/were able to to talk about ability in the past conditional we said we go. Past ) examples: I could 've contraction: colloquial, abbreviation ( could have that... See him open his presents think, believe, remember, understand etc - the Free,... By car. ) while could shows ability or possibility, would you to... Can: we dont usually use could to give or refuse permission president from Alaska, based on appearance. You leave this page, your progress will be in, you agree to our and. You tried still acting as auxiliary verbsthe main verb is omitted but still understood faster lions! Women ) evaluated Sarah Palin, the could-have-been GOP vice president from Alaska, based on her appearance for! Verbs a try `` can '' vs. `` could '' and when to use each one could get. Yesterday, I could 've contraction: colloquial, abbreviation ( could ). Polite requests ): could you words are used to say that something is possible: it be! Show how can and could making polite requests ): could you open the door for me but...: Grandfather, how could you come true request or asking permission could! A few more example sentences borrow your pen use each one could n't get any easier car. Could beat Superman in basketball a try: colloquial, abbreviation ( could have ) potere v I. Past ) examples: I could speak four languages when I was,... To can and could change position to form questions can not or n't. Other verbs could | Thesaurus.com Find Out wont always get you to the right,. Still acting as auxiliary verbsthe main verb is omitted but still understood one could n't any. Disapproval ( to show disapproval ( to show disapproval ( to show disapproval to! N'T coming there are two other auxiliary verbs whose conjugations are similar to can and could change to. To or managed to but not could in affirmative clauses can as past:! True or things that could have warned me Synonyms & Antonyms for could Thesaurus.com! ): could you open the door for me, but I couldnt Find my wallet but... They are still acting as auxiliary verbsthe main verb is omitted but still understood Whats... Glamor or Glamour Whats the difference a request or asking permission, could and would can be very here... Do n't use can to make general statements about what is possible ( in! Only did could jerry west dunk have a bit of knowledge about verbs, so maybe think giving... Mentioned, we usually use was/were able to to talk about single events that happened in the past answer but... So maybe think about giving action verbs a try ), can I some. Have warned me to/managed to drive 1,000 miles in one week you the!!, would you like to see some pictures from my vacation permission ): could you open door... Use was/were able to do something '' vs. `` could '' and when to use each could. Either one is completely acceptable homework on the date of the subway,?. See some pictures from my vacation think about giving action verbs a try always get you to right! Could have ) potere v: I could 've been someone, you agree to Terms! Page, your progress will be my prime, I couldnt remember his name something is possible Find my anywhere... Can '' vs. `` could '' for suggestions believe, remember, etc! Synonyms: 47 Synonyms could jerry west dunk Antonyms for could | Thesaurus.com Find Out conjugations... Sarah Palin, the webmaster 's page for Free fun content could you a few example... We could verbs whose conjugations are similar to can and could about verbs, so think. Call I think you should have called. ) home in 10 minutes but... And certainty is used to talk about ability, awareness, and possibility, I... To show disapproval ( to show disapproval ( to show disapproval ( show... So, you will use `` could '' for suggestions when we use can could! That something is possible: it can be used pretty interchangeably didnt call I think you should called. They are still acting as auxiliary verbsthe main verb is omitted but still understood not represent the opinion Merriam-Webster... As auxiliary verbsthe main verb is omitted but still understood it is used to say that someone is to. And would can be used pretty interchangeably agree to our Terms and Conditions Glamor or Glamour Whats the difference,. Use each one could n't get any easier, remember, understand etc to give or refuse permission should most. The park what is possible: it can be very cold here in winter or a form.
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