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could
[kood, kuhd]
auxiliary verb
a simple past tense of can.
(used to express possibility).
I wonder who that could be at the door. That couldn't be true.
(used to express conditional possibility or ability).
You could do it if you tried.
(used in making polite requests).
Could you open the door for me, please?
(used in asking for permission).
Could I borrow your pen?
(used in offering suggestions or advice).
You could write and ask for more information. You could at least have called me.
could
/ ʊ /
verb
used as an auxiliary to make the past tense of can 1
used as an auxiliary, esp in polite requests or in conditional sentences, to make the subjunctive mood of can 1
could I see you tonight?
she'd telephone if she could
used as an auxiliary to indicate suggestion of a course of action
you could take the car tomorrow if it's raining
(often foll by well) used as an auxiliary to indicate a possibility
he could well be a spy
Usage
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of could1
Idioms and Phrases
Example Sentences
You could be in a bad place at the wrong time, but that can happen anywhere.
Who else could be on the move over the next few weeks?
Doing so could allow it to justify measures that would empower the government to act against its own citizens.
It is the last thing the government could do with.
That moment of Royal Assent happened at around 18:00 on Saturday night and with that those officials could head into the plant, after emergency legislation was rushed through Parliament in a single day.
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