could
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
How often you will meet it
Rank 60 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 461,080 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.219% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 100 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
modal verb
- the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
could in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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He could not believe it--that girl--the girl.
The Courage of the Commonplace · Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews · Chapter 1
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They could see the two ponies hitched at the front gate.
The Heart of the Hills · John, Jr. Fox · Chapter 1
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How things had come about even yet she could hardly remember or comprehend.
Christian's Mistake · Dinah Maria Mulock Craik · Chapter 1
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Lord Henry felt as if he could hear Basil Hallward’s heart beating, and wondered what was coming.
The Picture of Dorian Gray · Oscar Wilde · Chapter 1
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Maiden, I fain would stop thee in thy flight-- Can'st tell where we could lodge this winter night?
The White Christmas and other Merry · Walter Ben Hare · Chapter 1