could

The word “could” means used to express ability, possibility, or permission in the past, or politely in the present. In plain terms, the past tense of "can," also used to make polite requests or talk about possibilities.

“Could” is pronounced kuhd (/kəd/ in IPA).

Here is “could” used in a sentence: “She could speak three languages by the age of ten.”

“Could” is a verb.

The word “could” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Old English. From Old English cūþe, the past tense of cunnan ("to be able"). The "l" was added in the 1500s by analogy with should and would, even though it was never pronounced.

“Could” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

Can expresses present ability or permission, as in 'I can swim.' Could is its past form ('I could swim as a child') and is also used in the present to sound more polite or tentative, as in 'Could you help me?' Could often signals possibility rather than certainty.

Could expresses possibility or ability, that is, what is achievable. Would expresses willingness, intention, or the result of a condition, that is, what someone chooses or how things turn out. 'I could help' means I am able to; 'I would help' means I am willing to.

Both express possibility, but might often suggests a slightly lower or more uncertain chance, while could emphasizes that something is possible or achievable. In practice they overlap heavily: 'It could rain' and 'It might rain' carry almost the same meaning in everyday speech.

'When I was younger, I could run for miles without stopping.' Here could shows past ability. Other examples include 'Could you pass the salt?' as a polite request, and 'This could be the answer,' expressing present possibility rather than something certain.