could

• coud (obsolete)
• cou’d (obsolete)

From Middle English coude, couthe, cuthe, from Old English cūþe, past indicative and past subjunctive form of cunnan (“to be able”) (compare related cūþ > English couth). The addition of the silent 'l' was likely a misappropriation attempting to normalize with modal verbs will/would and shall/should. However, while the letter l was historically pronounced in the latter two, could never had an l sound in it.

• (stressed) IPA^(key): /kʊd/, [kʰʊd]

  • Audio (US, stressed)

    (file)

• (unstressed) IPA^(key): /kəd/, [kʰəd]
• Rhymes: -ʊd

could

1. simple past tense of can

   Before I was blind, I could see very well.

2. conditional of can
   1. Used as a past subjunctive (contrary to fact).

      I think he could do it if he really wanted to.

      I wish I could fly!

   2. Used to politely ask for permission to do something.

      Could I borrow your coat?

   3. Used to politely ask for someone else to do something.

      Could you proofread this email?

   4. Used to show the possibility that something might happen.
      • 2013 June 29, “Travels and travails”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8842, page 55:

        Even without hovering drones, a lurking assassin, a thumping score and a denouement, the real-life story of Edward Snowden, a rogue spy on the run, could be straight out of the cinema. But, as with Hollywood, the subplots and exotic locations may distract from the real message: America’s discomfort and its foes’ glee.

      We could rearrange the time if you like.

   5. Used to suggest something.

      You could try adding more salt to the soup.

• could've
• couldn't (negative form of could)
• couldst (archaic second-person of could)

• can
• should
• would

could (plural coulds)

1. Something that could happen, or could be the case, under different circumstances; a potentiality.
   • 1996, Fred Shoemaker, Extraordinary Golf: The Art of the Possible, page 88:

     When the golf ball is there, the whole self-interference package — the hopes, worries, and fears; the thoughts on how-to and how-not-to; the woulds, the coulds, and the shoulds — is there too.

   • 2010, Shushona Novos, The Personal Universal: A Guidebook for Spiritual Evolution, page 395:

     Shushona you must learn to rightfully prioritize all the woulds, shoulds and coulds of your life.

• Appendix:English modal verbs
• Appendix:English tag questions

• Cloud, cloud, culdo-