could

Definition

simple past of can

Etymology

From Middle English coude, couthe, cuthe, from Old English cūþe, past indicative and past subjunctive form of cunnan (“to be able”) (compare related cūþ, whence English couth). Cognate with German konnte, Swedish kunde. The -l- in the spelling was added in the early 16th century by analogy with should and would; this analogy formerly affected the pronunciation as well and was probably assisted by the tendency for /l/ to be lost in those words (and so not written, leading to shudd, wode, etc).

Example Sentences

• "Before I was blind, I could see very well."
• "When I was young everybody could easily find a job in a matter of days."
• "When I was your age, I could run 10mi in under an hour."

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