These expressions will use would., The clue to the fact that this is an offer or invitation is the inclusion of the word like. Similar terms would work in much the same way. 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 They could be the champions if they can start to get along. Could and would are two such verbs. Could is also used in the context of ability, possibility, or permission. He could not move his arm. The negative form of could is couldnt. Sentences with the word could Couldnt and couldnt have + -ed form express strong possibility: She must have made a mistake. Its a fact. She could not ( couldnt ) drive a car. How many can you get right? We could order pizza tonight. 2. It will be somewhere tropical. Using COULD COULD and/or COULDNT is used as the past tense of CAN and/or CANT. (used in asking for permission): Could I borrow your pen? A few weeks wouldn't mean the difference in paying for college, and she could use the time to relax. 1. (You didnt call I think you should have called.). Would is also a modal verb used to denote possibility, and it often refers to something that is conditional but definite within those conditions. and mental processes (think, believe, remember, understand etc. Need synonyms for could? It looks dangerous. (You didnt call I think you should have called.). In this sense, could refers to some ability that someone had in the past. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'could.' Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. In other words, "I will definitely go on vacation if it is possible to get the time off.". 2. (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? This way, you will be able to see them in their proper context. Could is also the past tense of can. For example: When I was younger, I would ride my bike home in 10 minutes. Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We The negative form of could is couldnt. Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead. Conversely, would is making a definite claim. Could and can are used to talk about possibility in the present or future. An old-fashioned rule we can no longer put up with. We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. Could is a verb with many senses. Thanks!, Would you like to join us for dinner? Now it takes me 20 minutes! Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! Now it takes me 20 minutes! 2. Verb choice is a crucial part of careful writing, so read on to find out the differences between these two confusing verbs. 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? Lets again look at the first example. Apparently time had caught up with Mom before she could finish. Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. 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. COULD Synonyms: 47 Synonyms & Antonyms for COULD | Thesaurus.com Find Out! Could expresses possibility, while would expresses certainty and intent. Need synonyms for could? 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. Only men could go to the club in those days. In high school, I could dunk a basketball. (The original words were probably: You can wait in the hallway.), She said we could book the tickets online. I am certain that it is blue. 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. WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS? 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? Please visit using a browser with javascript enabled. We use could to refer to single events that happened in the past, with verbs of the senses (smell, taste, see, hear, touch, etc.) For example, "I would love to go to Barbados.". Now, take a look at the difference between "would" and "could" in polite expressions. If you ever have trouble deciding on would or could, remember where they come from. It is used to express that someone is able to do something in the past. It was stuck. If I were to take a vacation, it could be somewhere tropical, but it also could be somewhere coldperhaps Colorado to go skiing. I wonder who that could be at the door. There are two other auxiliary verbs whose conjugations are similar to can and could. 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. 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! 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. The simple past tense form of can is could. We use can: We dont usually use could to talk about single events that happened in the past. Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. This medicine could help your cold. A firework couldnt have done all that damage. When you sign up for English tips by e-mail! What does would mean? Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. What should I do? (used to express possibility): That could never be true. Could shows the ability to do something in the past or future. You dont want to leave any question that you are offering or inviting someone. Is it could or would? How to use a word that (literally) drives some pe Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference. Usage see: can. Can expresses strong possibility: The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. 3. (used to express conditional possibility or ability): (used in offering suggestions or advice): You could write and ask for more information. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect. We use could when reporting clauses with can as past events: They told us we could wait in the hallway. (= Maybe they will come by car.) 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! Want To Build A Successful Writing Routine? When I was in high school, I could do my homework on the bus. 3. This could be our only chance to get out of here. We had to give away our dog when we moved to England. 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. 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. Could I have a map of the subway, please? Lets look at examples of sentences that show how can and could are typically used. He could play football well when he was a kid. Accessed 18 Jan. 2023. I wish I could've been there to see him open his presents. 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. , and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present cmo has podido! 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! When I was young, I could easily touch my toes. 1. Be Careful!Don't use 'could not have' to say that there is a possibility that something was not true. (= Maybe they are at home.) (The speaker remembers hearing You can book the tickets online.). I waited ages for you - you could have said that you weren't coming! For example: When I was younger, I could ride my bike home in 10 minutes. 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.. The word could is also often used for the subjunctive mood, which is used to express hypothetical or conditional statements. For a related comparison, check out our guide to, The coin can land on heads or tails. For more on condition sentences, see here. (permission). Good luck! 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. You could [= might, may] be making the biggest mistake of your life! Verb Expressing a present possibility Verb Used to express a request where voluntary compliance is expected Find more words! Could is the past tense of can, a verb used to denote ability. (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? Wellbeing or Well-Being Which is Correct? I would to buy a new car if I had the money. His recovery could take months. 10. In both of these examples, could is being used to express an ability that the speaker had in the past. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. 2. a used to say that something is possible. Ive got to be in the meeting at 10 and the train doesnt get in until 10.15. , in the past conditional We said we would go if we could. 8. As you can see, could is simply making a statement of ability. In my prime, I could bench press 250 pounds. A good way to remember the differences between these two words is simply to bring each word back to its root verb. Find out which word to choose and when. me dieron ganas de pegarle! Could you come over here? (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? In the case of possibility, the present perfect tense is typically used. Hear a word and type it out. 5. I __________ touch that equipment if I were 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! (used to express possibility): That could never be true. 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. 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.
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