word-vault/dist/data/cards/co/could.json

A lightweight JavaScript package for English word definitions and collections.

{
    "term": "could",
    "partOfSpeech": "modal verb",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a1",
    "verbForms": {
        "presentSimple": {
            "iYouWeThey": "",
            "heSheIt": ""
        },
        "pastSimple": "",
        "pastParticiple": "",
        "ingForm": ""
    },
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "used as the past tense of ‘can’",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She said that she couldn't come."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I couldn't hear what they were saying."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Sorry, I couldn't get any more."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "used to ask if you can do something",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Could I use your phone, please?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Could we stop by next week?"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "used to politely ask somebody to do something for you",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Could you babysit for us on Friday?"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "used to show that something is or might be possible",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I could do it now, if you like."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Don't worry—they could have just forgotten to call."
                },
                {
                    "text": "You couldn't have left it on the bus, could you?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘Have some more cake.’ ‘Oh, I couldn't, thank you *(= I'm too full)*.’"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Doubt, guessing and certainty"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "used to suggest something",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "We could write a letter to the director."
                },
                {
                    "text": "You could always try his home number."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Suggestions and advice"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 6,
            "definition": "used to show that you are annoyed that somebody did not do something",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "They could have let me know they were going to be late!"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 7,
            "definition": "used to emphasize how strongly you want to express your feelings",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I'm so fed up I could scream!"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to say that you need or would like to have something",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I could do with a day off!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Her hair could have done with a wash."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/kəd//kʊd/",
                "audio": "co/could/could__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈkʊdnt/",
                "audio": "co/could/couldn_t_1_gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/kəd//kʊd/",
                "audio": "co/could/could__us_3_rr.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈkʊdnt/",
                "audio": "co/could/couldn_t_1_us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": null
}