Dictionary
English - French
Could
kʊd
Extremely common
0 - 100
0 - 100
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Pourrait, Est-ce que je pourrais, Je pouvais, Pourrait, Je pourrais
Could meanings in French
Pourrait
Example:
I could help you with your homework.
Je pourrais t'aider avec tes devoirs.
She said she could come to the party.
Elle a dit qu'elle pourrait venir à la fête.
Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used to express a possibility or ability in the past or future.
Note: This is the conditional form of 'pouvoir', indicating a possibility or polite request.
Est-ce que je pourrais
Example:
Could I borrow your pen?
Est-ce que je pourrais emprunter ton stylo ?
Could I ask you a question?
Est-ce que je pourrais te poser une question ?
Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used to make polite requests.
Note: This structure is often used in polite contexts to ask for permission.
Je pouvais
Example:
I could swim when I was a child.
Je pouvais nager quand j'étais enfant.
He could play the piano very well.
Il pouvait bien jouer du piano.
Usage: InformalContext: Used to describe past abilities.
Note: This form indicates an ability that was true in the past.
Pourrait
Example:
It could rain tomorrow.
Il pourrait pleuvoir demain.
You could be right about that.
Tu pourrais avoir raison à ce sujet.
Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used to express a future possibility or uncertainty.
Note: This form expresses conjecture or uncertainty about a future event.
Je pourrais
Example:
I could go to the store later.
Je pourrais aller au magasin plus tard.
We could try a different approach.
Nous pourrions essayer une autre approche.
Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used to suggest a future action or plan.
Note: This indicates a suggestion or option for future actions.
Could's synonyms
Can
Can is used to express ability or permission. It is commonly used interchangeably with could in many contexts.
Example: I can speak Spanish fluently.
Note: Can is more direct and present tense compared to could which is more polite or conditional.
Might
Might is used to express possibility or uncertainty. It is similar to could in indicating a chance or potential for something to happen.
Example: She might come to the party if she finishes her work early.
Note: Might is often seen as more tentative or less definite than could.
May
May is used to ask for permission or to express possibility. It can be used similarly to could in polite requests or hypothetical situations.
Example: May I borrow your pen?
Note: May is considered more formal or polite compared to could in certain contexts.
Would
Would is used to make polite requests, offers, or to express hypothetical situations. It can convey a similar sense of possibility or willingness as could.
Example: Would you like some coffee?
Note: Would is often used in more formal or polite contexts compared to could.
Shall
Shall is used to make suggestions, offers, or to seek advice. It can be used similarly to could in proposing an action or seeking agreement.
Example: Shall we go for a walk?
Note: Shall is considered more formal and old-fashioned compared to could in modern English.
Could expressions, common phrases
Could you
Used to make polite requests or ask for permission.
Example: Could you pass me the salt, please?
Note: The phrase 'Could you' is softer and more polite than 'Can you' or 'Will you'.
Could have
Refers to something that was possible in the past but did not happen.
Example: I could have finished the project on time if I had started earlier.
Note: Indicates a missed opportunity or regret about a past action.
Could be
Expresses a possibility or likelihood.
Example: He could be at the library right now.
Note: Implies uncertainty or speculation about a situation.
Could do with
Suggests a need or desire for something.
Example: I could do with a cup of coffee right now.
Note: Conveys a sense of wanting or benefiting from something.
Could care less
Indicates a lack of interest or concern.
Example: I could care less about what others think of me.
Note: Often used sarcastically to emphasize a lack of care.
Could well
Acknowledges a strong possibility or likelihood.
Example: It could well rain this afternoon.
Note: Implies a high probability of something happening.
Could not help
Expresses inability to control a reaction or emotion.
Example: I could not help laughing at his joke.
Note: Suggests a spontaneous or involuntary response.
Could everyday (slang) expressions
Coulda
Informal contraction of 'could have'. Used to indicate a happening in the past that was expected but did not occur.
Example: I coulda sworn I locked the door before leaving.
Note: Informal spoken form of 'could have'.
Cuda
Informal contraction of 'could have'. Common in casual spoken language.
Example: She cuda told me earlier about the party.
Note: Informal spoken form of 'could have'.
Cud
Informal contraction of 'could'. Used in casual conversations or text messaging.
Example: I cud have done better on that test.
Note: Informal spoken form of 'could'.
Cudve
Informal contraction of 'could have'. Used to express a possibility that was not realized.
Example: He cudve easily passed the exam with proper preparation.
Note: Informal spoken form of 'could have'.
Could - Examples
Could you please pass me the salt?
Pourriez-vous me passer le sel, s'il vous plaît ?
I could hear the birds chirping outside my window.
Je pouvais entendre les oiseaux chanter dehors de ma fenêtre.
Could you tell me where the nearest post office is?
Pourriez-vous me dire où se trouve le bureau de poste le plus proche ?
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw her perform on stage.
Je ne pouvais pas croire mes yeux quand je l'ai vue se produire sur scène.
Could grammar
Could - Auxiliary (Auxiliary) / Modal (Modal)
Lemma: could
Conjugations
Syllables, Separation and Stress
Could Contains 1 syllables: could
Phonetic transcription: kəd
could , kəd (The red syllable is stressed)
Could - Importance and usage frequency
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
Could: 0 - 100 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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