Could is one of the English modal verbs. This lesson shows how to use the modal correctly. You can also find exercises to help you practice.

'Could' is a modal auxiliary verb used to express possibility, ability, or permission in the past. It plays a significant role in conveying various meanings depending on context, such as suggesting …

"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."

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We use could to ask for permission. Could is more formal and polite than can: Could I ask you a personal question?

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