verb
could
kuhd
verb
1
Used to express ability, possibility, or permission in the past, or politely in the present.
"She could speak three languages by the age of ten."
"Could you pass the salt, please?"
How to Use Could
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe past tense of "can," also used to make polite requests or talk about possibilities.
Common mistake
Write "could have," not "could of" — the confusion comes from how "could've" sounds when spoken.
Common pairings
could have
could not
could you
Word Forms
coulds plural, couldst singular, couldest singular, could'st singular
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She _____ speak three languages by the age of ten.
Etymology
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.