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I Kəd Hear Play Modal Verb Bre Piano

Word could
WordType (modal verb)
Phonetic BrE / kəd / NAmE / kəd /
Example
  • she said that she couldn't come.
  • i couldn't hear what they were saying.
  • sorry, i couldn't get any more.
  • can you play the piano?
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could

(modal verb)BrE / kəd / NAmE / kəd /
  1. used as the past tense of ‘can’
    • She said that she couldn't come.
    • I couldn't hear what they were saying.
    • Sorry, I couldn't get any more.
    • Can you play the piano?
    • I can hear someone calling
    • The podcast can be downloaded here.
    • Can you/are you able to come on Saturday?
    • You’ll be able to get a taxi outside the station.
    • I haven’t been able to get much work done today.
    • She’d love to be able to play the piano.
    • Our daughter could walk when she was nine months old.
    • I was able to/managed to find some useful books in the library.
    • We weren’t able to/didn’t manage to/couldn’t get there in time.
    • I could see there was something wrong.
    • I could have won the game but decided to let her win.
  2. used to ask if you can do something
    • Could I use your phone, please?
    • Could we stop by next week?
  3. used to politely ask somebody to do something for you
    • Could you babysit for us on Friday?
  4. used to show that something is or might be possible
    • I could do it now, if you like.
    • Don't worry—they could have just forgotten to call.
    • You couldn't have left it on the bus, could you?
    • ‘Have some more cake.’ ‘Oh, I couldn't, thank you (= I'm too full).’
  5. used to suggest something
    • We could write a letter to the director.
    • You could always try his home number.
  6. used to show that you are annoyed that somebody did not do something
    • They could have let me know they were going to be late!
  7. used to emphasize how strongly you want to express your feelings
    • I'm so fed up I could scream!
    • He can speak three languages.
    • She will try and visit tomorrow.
    • You must find a job.
    • You ought to stop smoking.
    • I used to smoke but I gave up two years ago.
    • Can I invite Mary?
    • Should I have invited Mary?
  8. used to say that you need or would like to have something
    • I could do with a drink!
    • Her hair could have done with a wash.

    Verb Forms

    • could not
    • couldn't
Copyright This card's content is collected from the following dictionaries: Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Tags: c

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