could
11could — O.E. cuðe, pt. of cunnan to be able (see CAN (Cf. can) (v.)); ending changed 14c. to standard English d(e). The excrescent l was added 15c. 16c. on model of would, should, where it is historical …
12could — [[t]kəd, STRONG kʊd[/t]] ♦ (Could is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. Could is sometimes considered to be the past form of can, but in this dictionary the two words are dealt with separately.) 1) MODAL You use could to… …
13could */*/*/ — strong UK [kʊd] / US weak UK [kəd] / US modal verb Summary: Could is usually followed by an infinitive without to : I m glad you could come. Sometimes it is used without a following infinitive: I came as quickly as I could. Could does not change… …
14could */*/*/ — weak [kəd] , strong [kʊd] modal verb summary: ■ Could is used as the past tense of can when it means that someone had the ability to do something, or that something was possible: The Roman army could march 30 miles in a day. ■ Could is usually… …
15could — strong /kUd/ modal verb 3rd person singular couldnegative short form couldn t 1 the past tense of can : Could you hear that all right? | I couldn t get tickets after all, they were sold out. | Marcia said we could smoke, it was okay with her. see …
16could — /kʊd / (say kood), weak form /kəd/ (say kuhd) verb (modal) 1. past tense of can1: he could speak Chinese; I couldn t help overhearing; they said we could go. 2. (referring to a potential event or situation): you could do it if you tried; her… …
17could — /kood/; unstressed /keuhd/, v. 1. a pt. of can1. auxiliary verb. 2. (used to express possibility): I wonder who that could be at the door. That couldn t be true. 3. (used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you… …
18could of — In normal speech, could have sounds like could ve, which in turn sounds like could of. Not only could of but also may of, might of, should of, and would of are illiteracies. Of is not a verb. I could hav …
19could — [[t]kʊd[/t]] unstressed [[t]kəd[/t]] v. 1) fun a pt. of can I 2) fun (used to express possibility): That could never be true[/ex] 3) fun (used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you tried[/ex] 4) fun (used in… …
20could — verbal auxiliary, past of can Etymology: Middle English couthe, coude, from Old English cūthe; akin to Old High German konda could Date: 13th century used in auxiliary function in the past < we found we could go >, in the past conditional < we… …
