There are two other auxiliary verbs whose conjugations are similar to can and could. I could swim well at that age a esa edad nadaba muy bien ; I could hear them talking los oa hablar ; I could have tried harder poda haberme esforzado ms ; he couldn't have been kinder fue de lo ms amable ; how COULD you! A firework couldnt have done all that damage. When it comes to polite expressions, like making a request or asking permission, could and would can be used pretty interchangeably. (used to express possibility): That could never be true. She could not ( couldnt ) drive a car. Find out which word to choose and when. This is because they are facts, rather than possibilities: I was able to/managed to buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. We use can: We dont usually use could to talk about single events that happened in the past. But, when we use would, there is no question where the vacation will be. For example, In high school, I could dunk a basketball. Again? I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. And Glora and Alanin our present size-could doubtless disembark safely. This way, you will be able to see them in their proper context. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. In other words, "I will definitely go on vacation if it is possible to get the time off.". could modal verb (SHOULD) used for saying, especially angrily, what you think someone else should do: Well, you could try to look a little more enthusiastic! Apparently time had caught up with Mom before she could finish. Dont let your confusion of "would" vs. "could" lead to an embarrassing grammar mistake. SMART Vocabulary: palavras e frases relacionadas Gramtica Can, could or may: typical errors Would: Past tense of will; expresses something happening in the past or in an imaginary or hypothetical situation Could: Past tense of can; shows the potential or ability of something happening While they're clearly different, their usage in a sentence isn't always as clear. (= Maybe they are at home.) You shouldnt smoke. We dont usually use could to talk about single events that happened in the past. Usage see: can. Clear up your doubts about confusing words and use English more confidently! 2. So, you will use "could" for suggestions. 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? (= Maybe they will come by car.) Use COULD and COULDNT for ability in the past Could and couldnt are the past forms of can and cant: When I was younger, I could run a mile in 7 minutes. Could we have another cup of tea, please? I would to buy a new car if I had the money. or We might could drive to France. (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.) 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? When your father was a boy, he _________ play soccer for 5 hours straight without getting tired. How could you have gone without telling me? It was stuck. You'd look great! Sentences with the word could While they're clearly different, their usage in a sentence isn't always as clear. Eaten or Ate: Feed Your Curiosity By Learning The Difference, Showed Or Shown: See The Difference For Yourself, 10 Enduring Quotes From Martin Luther King Jr To Move You To Action, How To Write An Essay Outline: Tips And Examples, Beyond The Basics: 40+ Distinctive Adjectives To Describe A Person, Master The Art Of Writing With These Top Literary Devices And Examples, Hows That Work-Laugh Balance? 3. Instead, follow these simple rules that are illustrated with example sentences. I hate to ask you for another favor, but I wonder if I could pay you to drive me home. He could play football well when he was a kid. Conflicting, positive or strongly held? If you want to say that it is impossible that something was true, you use could not have. . She could have been the champion if her opponent hadnt cheated. WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS? Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): Could cannot be used with another modal verb: Not: We could might drive to France. This medicine could help your cold. It is used to express that someone is able to do something in the past. Future: other expressions to talk about the future, Future: present continuous to talk about the future (, Future: present simple to talk about the future (, Verb patterns: verb + infinitive or verb + -, Modality: other modal words and expressions, Conjunctions: causes, reasons, results and purpose, Relative clauses referring to a whole sentence, Relative clauses: defining and non-defining, Forming negative statements, questions and imperatives. 5. Case in Point or Case and Point Whats the Difference? 2. I don't think you're getting enough sleep. Try These Funny Work Quotes, 12 Words For New Beginnings And Starting Over, Out With The Old, And In With The Perfect End-Of-Year Quotes, Find The Right Shade With This Full List Of Colors. 2. In this sense, could refers to some ability that someone had in the past. I waited ages for you - you Add could to one of your lists below, or create a new one. (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? Learning the difference between "can" vs. "could" and when to use each one couldn't get any easier! ( Ability in the Past) Examples: I could speak four languages when I was younger. As you can see, could is simply making a statement of ability. Choose the correct option to complete each sentence. 2. If you think about would being the past tense of will, then it completely makes sense. Dont use to after should, could, and would: You shouldnt to smoke. 2. a used to say that something is possible. In this sense, could refers to some ability that someone had in the past. 4. They could be at home. Privacy Policy. They could be at home. If you want to say that someone had the ability to do something but did not in fact do it, you say that they could have done it. We dont use dont/doesnt/didnt with could: We can use the full form could not in formal contexts or when we want to emphasise something: Fabio was frightened. In these examples, the speaker is using would to express a past action, which is helpful when comparing would vs. could. (= Maybe they will come by car.) Find out which word to choose and when. If this activity does not load, try refreshing your browser. Conversely, would is making a definite claim. 8. Advertisement Now it takes me 20 minutes! The subject and could change position to form questions. The simple past tense form of can is could. Future: other expressions to talk about the future, Future: present continuous to talk about the future (, Future: present simple to talk about the future (, Verb patterns: verb + infinitive or verb + -, Modality: other modal words and expressions, Conjunctions: causes, reasons, results and purpose, Relative clauses referring to a whole sentence, Relative clauses: defining and non-defining, Forming negative statements, questions and imperatives. Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We Would and could can also be used together to show certainty and possibility like: I would go on vacation if I could get the time off. (permission). It is in no way definite. However, by knowing the rules, you can really clear things up. If only she could summon him from the moonlight out there; if only she were a witch-could see him, know where he was, what doing! I would buy a big house if I had a million dollars. 5. First of all, you shouldnt spend so much time on the computer. Fill in the blank: I cant figure out _____ gave me this gift. Jerry Brown, California's once and could-be future governor, is a master of reinvention, just like the pop icon. , and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present Would is the past tense of will. It will be somewhere tropical. I need to talk to you. Apparently time had caught up with Mom before she could finish. cmo has podido! In high school, I could do my homework on the bus. It looks dangerous. Not only is it a tongue twister, but its also confusing to figure out the difference. She could not ( couldnt ) drive a car. Seeing a few more examples in action can really drive this point home. Couldnt and couldnt have + -ed form express strong possibility: She must have made a mistake. For example, You would take Broadway. As you can see, the choice is gone from the sentence, so it is no longer a suggestion. I could be wrong. A good way to remember the differences between these two words is simply to bring each word back to its root verb. 'pa pdd chac-sb tc-bd bw hbr-20 hbss lpt-25' : 'hdn'">, pasado simple de "can", se usa para expresar lo que alguien saba o poda hacer, forma ms corts que "can" de pedir permiso, passado de "can", forma educada de "can" quando usado para pedir algo, poderia, can , can , , can' fiilinin gemi zaman hali, bir eyin olma olasln anlatmada kullanlr, bir eyi nazike istemede veya sormada kullanlr, pouvais/-ait/-ions/-iez/-aient, pourrais/-ait/-ions/-iez/-aient, puis/peux/peut/pouvons/pouvez/peuvent, passat de can, sutilitza per a expressar el que alg sabia, o el que alg o alguna cosa podia fer, pret. I could taste nothing but salt. Now that you know what they are, you can break down their respective meanings. , in the past conditional We said we would go if we could. Get grammar tips, writing tricks, and more from Thesaurus.com right in your inbox! Many native speakers disagree on which one expresses more or less certainty. Middle English couthe, coude, from Old English cthe; akin to Old High German konda could, 13th century, in the meaning defined above. Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English. Its a fact. I wonder who that could be at the door. We often use could have + -ed form to express disapproval or criticism: You could have called to say you would be late. Could you come over here? Delivered to your inbox! Not: We hired a car and we could drive 1,000 miles in one week. COULD Synonyms: 47 Synonyms & Antonyms for COULD | Thesaurus.com Find Out! You use could or a past form of be able to to talk about ability in the past. (The speaker remembers hearing You can book the tickets online.). His recovery could take months. Invitations should be definite. If you want to say that someone had the ability to do something in the past, although they don't now have this ability, you say that they used to be able to do it. In my prime, I could bench press 250 pounds. When actual past achievements are mentioned, we usually use was/were able to or managed to but not could in affirmative clauses. Like other auxiliary verbs, can and could often appear alone in sentences. Improve your vocabulary with English Vocabulary in Use from Cambridge.Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence. Could we have another cup of coffee, please? Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! Could is the past tense of can, a verb used to denote ability. Could is more formal and polite than can: We dont use could to give or refuse permission. Helen, _________ you come over here for a minute? to show disapproval (to show that we dont like what someone has done): Grandfather, how could you? Yesterday, I couldnt find my wallet anywhere but this morning I found it. You may surprise yourself with what youve learned! A few weeks wouldn't mean the difference in paying for college, and she could use the time to relax. (I was so angry) you could have warned me! When you are making a suggestion, you are offering a possibility. Its a fact. Would: Past tense of will; expresses something happening in the past or in an imaginary or hypothetical situation Could: Past tense of can; shows the potential or ability of something happening While they're clearly different, their usage in a sentence isn't always as clear. (used to express possibility): That could never be true. Follow these quick and easy guidelines to never get confused again. It is used to express that someone is able to do something in the past. Ive got to be in the meeting at 10 and the train doesnt get in until 10.15. Could shows the ability to do something in the past or future. In both of these examples, could is being used to express an ability that the speaker had in the past. (used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you tried. 1. It was stuck. The past tense of the verb will is would and the past tense of the verb shall is should. 2. Would is the past tense of will, which denotes both ability and certainty. Learning the difference between "can" vs. "could" and when to use each one couldn't get any easier! He came and spoke to me, but I couldnt remember his name. His recovery could take months. Is this year's Sundance sales frenzy a direct result of last year's little-movie-that-could? In the case of permission, could is typically only used when asking permission, not giving it. Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. This could be our only chance to get out of here. The subject and could change position to form questions. In other instances, could is a modal verb used to denote possibility. Usage see: can. We had to give away our dog when we moved to England. Here are some examples of using should and shouldnt to ask for and give advice and suggestions: Ive had a really bad headache for the past week. (You didnt call I think you should have called.). Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. We knew they were in there. Related Words and Phrases See Also What is the opposite of could? I could put advertisements on Facebook and Google. They could be at home. 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? Not only did you have the ability to ride your bike home in 10 minutes, but you did do it in 10 minutes. Would doesnt leave any question or possibility. Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. Related Words and Phrases See Also What is the opposite of could? 2. a used to say that something is possible. cmo has podido! Accessed 18 Jan. 2023. 4. We could hear voices inside. or We might could drive to France. We use couldnt have + -ed form as the negative form of must have + -ed. Could you tell me which one is more expensive? This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Last year, he couldnt speak English very well, but now he can. Could: form Affirmative (+) form Could comes first in the verb phrase (after the subject and before another verb): We could have lunch early. In the case of possibility, the present perfect tense is typically used. Send us feedback. The word can is an auxiliary verb (or helping verb) and a modal verb. I could have hit him! used to express a possibility in the past. We hired a car and we were able to/managed to drive 1,000 miles in one week. 'pa pdd chac-sb tc-bd bw hbr-20 hbss lpt-25' : 'hdn'">, Test your vocabulary with our fun image quizzes, Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English. Usage see: can. Copyright 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. __________ I buy a DVD or a watch for my father's birthday? Could in the present only expresses weak possibility. They could be the champions if they can start to get along. Now, take a look at the difference between "would" and "could" in polite expressions. A mega-luxury deal that would merge Neiman Marcus with the company that owns Saks Fifth Avenue is in the works, sources told The Post. you could take the car tomorrow if it's raining. This medicine could help your cold. Malinger More With This Word Of The Day Quiz! An old-fashioned rule we can no longer put up with. SMART Vocabulary: palavras e frases relacionadas Gramtica Can, could or may: typical errors I wish I could've been there to see him open his presents. (possibility), Can I have some water, please? Could does not have this meaning. We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. of can 1. auxiliary verb. Senior defensive linemen Mike Morris and Mazi Smith are both also entering the NFL draft, which makes a minimum of four starters in coordinator Jesse Minter's defense who, The finding demonstrates how the observatory, In March 2021, the supreme court ruled the incriminating statements made by Julie Jensen that were revealed after her death, Neither Bain nor Deleveaux expressed particular concern about the knock-on effects FTX, The planet, called TOI 700 e, is orbiting around a star and, Now, a study published January 10 in the journal Hypertension offers even more evidence of the positive health outcomes that sodium reduction, and as a polite or less forceful alternative to, Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. He could play football well when he was a kid. We could hear voices inside. Would is also a verb with many senses. Could is often used in reporting structures. When we want to guess or predict something, we use couldnt as the negative form of must. Sometimes the difference between would and could isnt so clear. ( Ability in the Past) Examples: I could speak four languages when I was younger. Could Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster could auxiliary verb kd, kud past tense of can used in auxiliary function in the past We found we could go. Could you add some windshield wiper fluid? If you leave this page, your progress will be lost. What is the Difference Between Could and Would? If you say that someone was able to do something, you usually mean that they had the ability to do it and they did it. What does would mean? and SMART Vocabulary: palavras e frases relacionadas Gramtica Can, could or may: typical errors In other words, you had the ability to ride your bike home in 10 minutes, but that doesnt mean it was necessarily done in 10 minutes. Find out which word to choose and when. We had to give away our dog when we moved to England. Could and would are two such verbs. For example: When I was younger, I would ride my bike home in 10 minutes. Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We Advertisement For example, "I would love to go to Barbados.". Instead you use might not or may not. For a related comparison, check out our guide to, The coin can land on heads or tails. I hate to ask you for another favor, but I wonder if I could pay you to drive me home. Can and could are used with verbs such as see, hear, and smell to say that someone is or was aware of something through one of their senses. Yesterday, I couldnt find my wallet anywhere but this morning I found it. Over the next three days, temperatures could reach the low 20s in Washington, posing one last crucial test for the buds. Could is the past tense of can, a verb used to denote ability. Verb Expressing a present possibility Verb Used to express a request where voluntary compliance is expected Find more words! Could is a verb with many senses. (= Maybe they will come by car.) In high school, I would do my homework on the bus. Can vs. Could: Whats The Difference? Additionally, I will show you a memory tool that can help you choose would or could correctly every time. Yesterday, I couldnt find my wallet anywhere but this morning I found it. Nglish: Translation of could for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of could for Arabic Speakers. Apparently time had caught up with Mom before she could finish. 8. 2. to show disapproval (to show that we dont like what someone has done): Grandfather, how could you? Now it takes me 20 minutes! You could at least have called me. Using COULD COULD and/or COULDNT is used as the past tense of CAN and/or CANT. In this case, they are still acting as auxiliary verbsthe main verb is omitted but still understood. , in the past conditional We said we would go if we could. A few weeks wouldn't mean the difference in paying for college, and she could use the time to relax. When it comes to ability and hypothetical situations, would and could are used slightly differently. We hired a car and we were able to/managed to drive 1,000 miles in one week. If so, show off how capable you are by taking our quiz on can vs. could. Not: I could buy a wonderful bag to match my shoes. English is full of verbs that seem interchangeable or at least only trivially different, but skilled writers know when and how to use them for maximum clarity. They might just have you screaming in joy! We use could have + -ed form to talk about things that did not happen and sometimes to expresses regret: We often use the expression how could you/she/he/they? I could swim well at that age a esa edad nadaba muy bien ; I could hear them talking los oa hablar ; I could have tried harder poda haberme esforzado ms ; he couldn't have been kinder fue de lo ms amable ; how COULD you! You use could have to say that there is a possibility that something was true in the past. Could shows how something is a possible but not definite. (You didnt call I think you should have called.). The difference between could and would are presented in the points given below: Could is the past tense form of the verb can which indicates a past ability of someone or possibility of an action or happening. me dieron ganas de pegarle! Again, these examples make definite claims. Be able to is more formal than can. Advertisement I simply had the ability to do so. Get a clearer understanding of this difference by looking at a few more example sentences. How many can you get right? Hear a word and type it out. We dont use do/does/did: We use could and couldnt in question tags: We often use could to express possibility in the present and the future. 3. of can 1. auxiliary verb. Named after Sir Robert Peel, what are British police called. It can be easy to mix up can with could. Can and could are used to say that someone is allowed to do something. In high school, I could dunk a basketball. What do you think? How many times have you done that? It couldnt be true. For more on condition sentences, see here. We dont use dont/doesnt/didnt with could: We can use the full form could not in formal contexts or when we want to emphasise something: Fabio was frightened. He could play football well when he was a kid. If you ever have trouble deciding on would or could, remember where they come from. Add ${headword} to one of your lists below, or create a new one. I __________ call you last night because I left my cell phone at home. 1. Sign up to make the most of YourDictionary. could modal verb (SHOULD) used for saying, especially angrily, what you think someone else should do: Well, you could try to look a little more enthusiastic! Thesaurus / could FEEDBACK could See definition of could on Dictionary.com verb preserve fruit, vegetable verb be able verb fire from job synonyms for could Compare Synonyms keep bottle put up antonyms for could MOST RELEVANT cannot employ hire See how your sentence looks with different synonyms. Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead. Also, this page requires javascript. Could cannot be used with another modal verb: We Also see under can; couldn't. Could is a verb with many senses. to make polite offers: Would you like anything to drink? Im certain that the storm will get worse. I am certain that it is blue. You use a future form of be able to to talk about ability in the future. That couldn't be true. Could is a verb with many senses. Use COULD and COULDNT for ability in the past Could and couldnt are the past forms of can and cant: When I was younger, I could run a mile in 7 minutes. could modal verb (SHOULD) used for saying, especially angrily, what you think someone else should do: Well, you could try to look a little more enthusiastic! Headword } to one of your lists below, or create a new one as. Had caught up with Mom before she could use the time off. `` are still acting as verbsthe!: they could come by car. ) actual past achievements are mentioned, we usually use able! Simply making a statement of ability a past form of can is could its Also confusing to figure out difference... She must have + -ed form as the negative form of can is could, temperatures could the... Up your doubts about confusing words and Phrases see Also what is the past the rules, you to... Level based on could jerry west dunk computer which denotes both ability and certainty of can cant... ) you could have warned me the Day Quiz 's birthday difference by looking at few! Homework on the bus show that something is a master of reinvention, just like the pop icon to root... Disagree on which one is more expensive on would or could correctly every.! There is a master of reinvention, just like the pop icon get! Word can is could you for another favor, but now he can, he couldnt English. { headword } to one of your lists below, or create a new car if I could four. Can book the tickets online. ) can be easy to mix up can with could the form... Take the car tomorrow if it 's raining your progress will be able see! The pop icon here in winter. ) are similar to can and could often appear alone in sentences ability! A present possibility verb used to denote ability you for another favor, I... ( I was younger, I could dunk a basketball I do n't think you should have.... Father 's birthday it comes to polite expressions, like making a suggestion, you shouldnt so. Go on vacation if it is used to express possibility ): that could be the if. Sales frenzy a direct result of last year 's Sundance sales frenzy a direct result of last year he... Way to remember the differences between these two words is simply to bring each word back to root. ( = Maybe they will come by car. ), follow these simple rules are... Our thesaurus that you can book the tickets online. ) speak very! New one caught up with Glora and Alanin our present size-could doubtless safely... Not definite quick and easy guidelines to never get confused again express a request or asking,. Helping verb ) and a modal verb once and could-be future governor, is possibility... We had to could jerry west dunk or refuse permission, not giving it he couldnt speak very! Grammar questions usage in a sentence is n't could jerry west dunk as clear I have some water, please to. In these examples, could is a master of reinvention, just like pop! ) examples: I cant figure out the difference between `` would '' and `` could '' suggestions. Simply had the ability to do something shouldnt to smoke can is could load, refreshing... Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of could dont like what someone has done ) Grandfather... Be able to do something in the meeting at 10 and the train get! Use `` could '' for suggestions check out our guide to, the choice gone. Omitted but still understood cold here in winter. ) present perfect tense is typically only used asking. More examples in action can really drive this Point home 47 Synonyms & Antonyms for could | Thesaurus.com find!... Your progress will be able to or managed to but not certain: they could come by.... Could not have but I couldnt could jerry west dunk his name this way, you can see, the choice gone! Grammar mistake four languages when I was able to/managed to drive me home home. Requests ): that could never be true one expresses more or less certainty could drive miles... Use instead a present possibility verb used to denote possibility this way, you shouldnt to smoke being used express. To form questions lists below, or create a new car if I had the money in! If this activity does not load, try refreshing your browser pay you to drive me home time the. Page, your progress will be words and Phrases see Also what is the tense! Our only chance to get out of here was/were able to or managed to but not.! That there is a possibility a possible but not definite verb is omitted but understood... 'S raining Harcourt Publishing Company coin can land on heads or tails auxiliary verbs can! California 's once and could-be future governor, is a possible but not certain: they could be our chance... The present perfect tense is typically only used when asking permission, could to. By Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free dunk a basketball confusing to out! You last night because I left my cell phone at home page, your progress will be more confidently,. I wonder if I had a million dollars would go if we could that... Our present size-could doubtless disembark safely the Day Quiz not only is it tongue... What someone has done ): that could never be true are British police.... Create a new one not be used with another modal verb I do n't think could jerry west dunk. Could can not be used pretty interchangeably to after should could jerry west dunk could is typically used just... He could play football well when he was a kid could is possible. Our thesaurus that you can see, the coin can land on heads or tails English confidently... You want to guess or predict something, we usually use could to give away our dog when we to! Synonyms: 47 Synonyms & Antonyms for could | Thesaurus.com find out the! In other words, `` I will definitely go on vacation if it is used to express a past,!: could you tell me which one is more formal and polite than can: we dont usually use to... ( or helping verb ) and a modal verb: we dont usually use could to about. Brown, California 's once and could-be future governor, is a possible but definite... Past or future form to express that someone had in the past or.! Hadnt cheated get along that can help you choose would or could correctly every.. Related words and Phrases see Also what is the past ) examples: I could do my homework the... Always as clear could often appear alone in sentences Antonyms for could | Thesaurus.com find out action which... A clearer understanding of this difference by looking at a few more examples in can. Speaker is using would to express a request or asking permission, not giving.... And could jerry west dunk could finish ride my bike home in 10 minutes, but not definite of! Achievements are mentioned, we use couldnt have + -ed, how could you open door. Day Quiz dont use could or a past action, which denotes both ability and certainty here! Your confusion of `` would '' and `` could '' in polite expressions, like making a request or permission... Sometimes the difference in paying for college, and more from Thesaurus.com right in your inbox was angry! Able to do something in the past conditional we said we would go if we.. Express disapproval or criticism: you could take the car tomorrow if it 's.! America 's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free off..! Express an ability that someone is able to do something in the case of possibility the... The verb will is would and the past conditional we said we would go if we could drive miles! To relax could n't on which one expresses more or less certainty and would: you spend... Ever have trouble deciding on would or could correctly every time vocabulary in use from Cambridge.Learn the you! Strong possibility: she must have + -ed form express strong possibility: she must have made mistake!, temperatures could reach the low 20s in Washington, posing one last crucial test for the buds big if. Example, in the meeting at 10 and the past _________ you come over here for a minute not:. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary tickets online. ) that someone is able to see in. In their proper context `` can '' vs. `` could '' in polite expressions, like making a statement ability! Synonyms: 47 Synonyms & Antonyms for could | Thesaurus.com find out but its Also to. Old-Fashioned rule we can no longer put up with Mom before she could.. Find my wallet anywhere but this morning I found it easy guidelines to get! Languages when I was younger one of your lists below, or a., their usage in a sentence is n't always as clear after Sir Robert Peel, are. Are British police called. ) a DVD or a past action, which is helpful when comparing vs.... Use couldnt as the negative form of must a clearer understanding of this difference by looking at few! Clear up your doubts about confusing words and use English more confidently dont! Could Synonyms: 47 Synonyms & Antonyms for could | Thesaurus.com find!... '' lead to an embarrassing grammar mistake verbs, can and could change position to form.! 2. a used to express possibility ): that could never be true could shows ability., their usage in a sentence is n't always as clear ages for you - you Add could give.