could
gb/kˈʊd/ us/kˈʊd/
A2
Inglés
~ 100
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Verbo
A2
relation
1
Express past ability or possibility
Used to say that someone was able to do something before, or that something is possible.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] could [verb]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'could' for ability in the past with 'can' for present ability.
Sinónimos
was able to (More formal and specific about past ability; not used for hypothetical situations)
Antónimos
could not (Indicates inability or impossibility)
Colocaciones
could be
|could have
|could go
|could happen
|could see
Temas
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- When I was younger, I could run five miles without stopping.
- We could see the mountains from our hotel room.
- It could rain later, so bring an umbrella.
- She could speak three languages fluently.
- This plan could work if everyone helps.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I could swim when I was six.
- We could play outside after lunch.
- He could read very fast.
- It could snow tomorrow.
- They could come to the party.
Verbo
A2
relation
2
Make polite request or suggestion
Used to ask someone politely to do something or to give an idea.
Patrón de uso:
Could [someone] [verb]?
Error frecuente:
Learners may forget to use 'please' in polite requests with 'could'.
Sinónimos
would you mind (Even more polite and formal)
Colocaciones
could you please
|could we
|could I ask
|could you tell me
Temas
communication
|social interaction
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- Could you pass me the salt, please?
- Could we meet tomorrow afternoon?
- Could I borrow your book for a week?
- You could try restarting your computer.
- Could you tell me the time?
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Could you help me?
- Could we sit here?
- Could I use your phone?
- You could take the bus.
- Could you open the window?
Verbo
B1
relation
3
Express uncertainty about events
Used to talk about something that might happen now or later.
Patrón de uso:
[something] could [verb]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'could' with 'should' when giving advice versus expressing possibility.
Sinónimos
might ('Might' is often interchangeable but sometimes suggests slightly less likelihood)
Antónimos
will (Indicates certainty rather than possibility)
Colocaciones
could be true
|could happen soon
|could take a while
Temas
daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Ejemplos
- The train could be late due to the weather.
- This medicine could help you feel better.
- We could see some changes next year.
- It could be dangerous to go alone.
- The meeting could last for hours.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- It could rain today.
- This could be my book.
- He could come later.
- The bus could be late.
- She could get sick.
Verbo
B1
relation
4
Express hypothetical situations
Used to say something is possible if something else happens first.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] could [verb] if [condition]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes forget to include the condition when using conditional 'could'.
Sinónimos
would be able to (More explicit about conditional ability)
Colocaciones
could win if
|could happen if
Temas
communication
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- I could help you if I had more time.
- We could win if we practice hard.
- She could pass the exam if she studied more.
- They could travel more if they saved money.
- He could fix it if he had the right tools.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I could buy it if I had money.
- We could go if it is sunny.
- She could come if she finishes work.
- He could play if he feels better.
- They could eat if they are hungry.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
could
AFI
GB/kˈʊd/
US/kˈʊd/
Sílabas y acento
could (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (could)
Formas de la palabra
Verb
- Base: could
- 3rd Person Singular: coulds
- Present Participle: coulding
- Past: coulded
- Past Participle: coulded
Familia de palabras
Forms
coulds
verb
coulding
verb
coulded
verb
Related words
can
verb A1
Negative and opposite forms
couldn't
verb A2
Expresiones
as cold as ice could be
1/ˈæz kˈoʊld ˈæz ˈaɪs kˈʊd bˈi/
idiom
literary
Extremely cold like ice
Very, very cold, like ice.
Ejemplos
- Her hands were as cold as ice could be after walking in the snow.
- The water was as cold as ice could be.
could have been
1/kˈʊd hˈæv bˈɪn/
fixed phrase
Possible but unrealized past situation
Used to say something was possible in the past but did not happen.
Ejemplos
- I could have been a doctor if I had studied harder.
- It could have been worse after the accident.
couldn't care less
1/kˈʊdənt kˈɛɹ lˈɛs/
idiom
informal
Not care at all about something
To not care at all about something; to have no interest in it.
Ejemplos
- I couldn't care less about what they think.
- She couldn't care less about fashion trends.
couldn't care less
2/kˈʊdənt kˈɛɹ lˈɛs/
idiom
informal
have no interest/concern at all
To not be interested in or worried about something at all.
Ejemplos
- I couldn't care less about sports.
- She couldn't care less what they think.