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 to use …

Could is more formal and polite than can: Could I ask you a personal question? We don’t use could to give or refuse permission.

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.

Definition of could modal verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

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

Oct 31, 2025 · Learn how to use the most common modal verbs Can, Could, May, and Might perfectly! This guide is perfect for beginners who want to improve their English grammar skills.

Could expresses possibility, while would expresses certainty and intent. A good way to remember the differences between these two words is simply to bring each word back to its root verb.

“Can” and “could” can be confusing since they’re both used to express ability or possibility. However, “can” is generally used for present abilities, while “could” serves as its past tense or is used in polite …

Mar 23, 2023 · 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.