could
/kəd/ verb A1- Used as a past subjunctive (contrary to fact). · I think he could do it if he really wanted to.· I wish I could fly!
- Used to politely ask for permission to do something. · 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 me the money, could you?
- Used to show the possibility that something might happen. · We could rearrange the time if you like.
- Used to suggest something. · You could try adding more salt to the soup.
Verb forms
- Base form
- could
- He/she/it
- coulds
- Past
- coulded
- Past participle
- coulded
- -ing form
- coulding
From the library
“Not so much as I could wish, sir: but I dare say he may spend half his time here; and Miss Darcy is always down for the summer months.”
Elizabeth could not help saying, “It is very much to his credit, I am sure, that you should think so.”
If I were to go through the world, I could not meet with a better.
The ship drew on and had safely passed the strait, which some volcanic shock has made between the Calasareigne and Jaros islands; had doubled Pomègue, and approached the harbor under topsails, jib, and spanker, but so slowly and sedately that the idlers, with that instinct which is the forerunner of evil, asked one another what misfortune could have happened on board.
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