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could
verb
used
to
say
that
someone
had
the
ability
or
permission
to
do
something
in
the
past
•
When
I
was
five
,
I
could
read
simple
books
.
When
I
was
five
,
I
could
read
simple
books
.
•
Back
then
,
we
could
play
outside
until
dark
.
Back
then
,
we
could
play
outside
until
dark
.
past
form
of
the
verb
“
can
,”
appearing
in
Old
English
as
“
cuðe
,”
later
changing
to
“
could
”
in
Middle
English
verb
used
to
politely
ask
for
or
offer
something
,
or
to
suggest
an
action
•
Could
you
close
the
window
,
please
?
Could
you
close
the
window
,
please
?
•
Could
I
borrow
your
pen
for
a
moment
?
Could
I
borrow
your
pen
for
a
moment
?
verb
used
to
say
that
something
is
possible
now
or
in
the
future
,
though
not
certain
•
Take
an
umbrella
;
it
could
rain
later
.
Take
an
umbrella
;
it
could
rain
later
.
•
This
old
watch
could
be
valuable
.
This
old
watch
could
be
valuable
.
verb
used
to
express
mild
criticism
that
someone
failed
to
do
something
desirable
in
the
past
•
You
could
have
called
to
say
you'd
be
late
.
You
could
have
called
to
say
you'd
be
late
.
•
He
could
at
least
say
thank
you
.
He
could
at
least
say
thank
you
.
can
verb
-
can
,
could
used
to
say
that
someone
is
able
to
do
something
or
that
something
is
allowed
•
My
little
sister
can
ride
a
bike
without
training
wheels
.
My
little
sister
can
ride
a
bike
without
training
wheels
.
•
You
can
use
my
phone
if
yours
is
out
of
battery
.
You
can
use
my
phone
if
yours
is
out
of
battery
.
Old
English
"
cannan
"
meaning
"
to
know
how
to
",
later
shifting
to
express
ability
and
permission
.