Past simple of can, used to talk about what someone or something was able or allowed to do…. Learn more. Definition of could modal verb in oxford advanced learner's dictionary.

You use could to talk about a possibility, ability, or opportunity that depends on other conditions. Their hope was that a new and better east germany could be born. Learn about the modal verbs can and could and do the exercises to practise using them. The meaning of could is â€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 is also used to talk about ability in the present, but it has a special meaning. If you say that someone could do something, you mean that they have the ability to do it, but they don't in fact do it.

How to use … Could is also used to talk about ability in the present, but it has a special meaning. If you say that someone could do something, you mean that they have the ability to do it, but they don't in fact do it.