COULD in a Sentence

Learn COULD from example sentences; some of them are from classic books. These examples are selected from a corpus with 300,000 sentences, including classic works and current mainstream media. Some sentences also link to their contexts.

404 example sentences for COULD, such as:

1. But Sir John could not prevail.
2. He could play upon him as he chose.
3. I wish it could be so easily settled.
4. You could always turn the sleeves up.
5. I could wish the stairs were handsome.

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 Meanings and Examples of COULD
Definition Example Sentence Classic Sentence
could
 v.  past tense of CAN
Classic Sentence: (202 in 14 pages)
1  I could see nothing sinister about him.
The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald
Context  Highlight   In Chapter 3
2  Even Gatsby could happen, without any particular wonder.
The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald
Context  Highlight   In Chapter 4
3  He could afford to control himself now.
The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald
Context  Highlight   In Chapter 7
4  The child could not be made amenable to rules.
The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne
Context  Highlight   In VI. PEARL
5  He could play upon him as he chose.
The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne
Context  Highlight   In XI. THE INTERIOR OF A HEART
6  It was only the darkened house that could contain her.
The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne
Context  Highlight   In XIII. ANOTHER VIEW OF HESTER
7  He could hardly suppose I should neglect them.
Sense and Sensibility By Jane Austen
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER 2
8  I could wish the stairs were handsome.
Sense and Sensibility By Jane Austen
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER 6
9  Elinor could not be surprised at their attachment.
Sense and Sensibility By Jane Austen
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER 11
10  I wish it could be so easily settled.
Sense and Sensibility By Jane Austen
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER 13
11  We never could agree in our choice of a profession.
Sense and Sensibility By Jane Austen
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER 19
12  But Sir John could not prevail.
Sense and Sensibility By Jane Austen
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER 21
13  Elinor could not NOW be made unhappy by this behaviour.
Sense and Sensibility By Jane Austen
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER 34
14  I heard him say all this as plain as could possibly be.
Sense and Sensibility By Jane Austen
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER 38
15  Elinor made what excuse she could for her.
Sense and Sensibility By Jane Austen
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER 41
Example Sentence: (202 in 14 pages)
16  Lauren could not account for her mistake.
17  If he could beat his uncle out of a dollar he'd do it.
18  Sam boasted that she could beat anyone at poker.
19  I'd appreciate it if u could call me tonight.
20  We could go into town but it's a real hike from here.
21  I could see no sign of life in the deserted town.
22  She received the best schooling the town could offer.
23  I could hear the thud of horses' hooves down the track.
24  He tried to climb the tree, but he could not.
25  He could make trouble for me if he wanted to.
26  You could always turn the sleeves up.
27  This type of sheet steel could stand high pressure.
28  Danny could be very jealous and possessive about me.
29  Jane blocked Cross's vision and he could see nothing.
30  My shoes were so tight that I could hardly walk.