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 …

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

2025年8月25日 · Could I borrow your coat? Could I borrow your coat? Used to politely ask for someone else to do something. Could you proofread this email? I wonder, you couldn't loan …

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 …

You use could to talk about a possibility, ability, or opportunity that depends on other conditions. Their hope was that a new and better East Germany could be born.

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.

2025年6月17日 · There’s a time and place for “could” and “can.” This blog post will teach you more about the meanings and uses of these modal verbs. Can and could are

2025年4月9日 · Learn 8 expert ways to use could in English—past abilities, polite requests, regrets, and more—with real examples and clear practice tips.

2023年3月23日 · Learn the difference between can vs. could and how to use each of them in a sentence, with examples of each word used correctly.

Could definition: a simple past tense of can.. See examples of COULD used in a sentence.