COULD


Meaning of COULD in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ kəd, ˈku̇d ]

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 said we would go if we could

and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present

if you could come we would be pleased

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.