The meaning of COULD is —used in auxiliary function in the past, in the past conditional, and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present. How to use could in a sentence.
Definition of could modal verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
"Could" is a modal verb used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests. "Could" is also commonly used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of "can."
COULD definition: a simple past tense of can. See examples of could used in a sentence.
It was he who messed up everything. It was him who messed up everything. What is the difference between these two sentences?
The infinitive is definitely required for this meaning; but the tensed form goes is also correct. However, it means something quite different -- it means she said that he attends the cinema regularly.
grammaticality - Why is this sentence correct? “She suggested that he ...
We use could to ask for permission. Could is more formal and polite than can: Could I ask you a personal question?
We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. (= Maybe they will come by car.) They could be at home. (= Maybe they are at home.) We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.)