could S1 W1 /kəd; strong kʊd/ BrE AmE modal verb ( negative short form couldn’t )
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: cuthe , past tense of cunnan ( ⇨ ↑ can 1 ); influenced by should and would ]
1 . PAST ABILITY used as the past tense of ‘can’ to say what someone was able to do or was allowed to do in the past:
By the time she was eight, she could read Greek and Latin.
In those days you could buy a box of cigars for a dollar.
Could you hear what I was saying?
I couldn’t get tickets after all, they were sold out.
I knew I couldn’t afford the rent.
The teacher said we could all go home.
2 . POSSIBILITY
a) used to say that something is possible or might happen:
Most accidents in the home could be prevented.
It could be weeks before we get a reply.
If you’re not careful, you could get into even worse trouble.
A faulty connection could easily (=would be likely to) cause a fire.
b) used to say that something was a possibility in the past, but did not actually happen:
Somebody could have been killed.
I could have warned you if I had known where you were.
He could have escaped, but he chose to stand and fight.
3 . EMPHASIZING YOUR FEELINGS spoken used to emphasize how happy, angry etc you are by saying how you want to express your feelings:
He irritates me so much I could scream.
I was so angry I could have killed her.
I was so relieved I could have kissed them all.
4 . REQUESTING spoken used to make a polite request:
Could you help me with these boxes?
Could I have a drink of water, please?
How about Sam? Could he come along too?
I wonder if I could just ask you to sign this.
5 . SUGGESTING used to suggest doing something:
You could ask your doctor for a check-up.
You could always try phoning her at the office.
Maybe we could get together sometime next week?
Couldn’t you get one of your friends to help you?
6 . ANNOYANCE spoken used to show that you are annoyed about someone’s behaviour:
You could have told me you were going to be late (=you should have told me but you did not) !
You could at least say that you’re sorry.
How could you be so stupid!
7 . couldn’t be better/worse/more pleased etc used to emphasize how good, bad etc something is:
Their lifestyles couldn’t be more different.
‘How are things?’ ‘Fine! Couldn’t be better.’
Ordering online couldn’t be simpler.
8 . I couldn’t British English spoken used to politely say that you do not want any more food or drink:
‘Would you like another piece of pie?’ ‘Oh, no thanks, I couldn’t.’
9 . could do with something spoken to need or want something:
I could do with a hot drink.
⇨ could do worse (than) at ↑ worse 1 (5), ⇨ couldn’t care less at ↑ care 2 (5), ⇨ couldn’t agree more at ↑ agree (1)