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Spell Bee Word: Could


What does could mean?

Word: Could

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: Could means was able to, as in I could swim when I was five. Could is also used in polite requests and to say that something might happen.

How do you spell could?

Syllables: could

Tricky part: The l is silent and the ou says a short oo, as in good. Children who spell it the way it sounds write cood or culd.

Watch out for: cood, culd, coud

Memory tip: Could, would and should all end in ould. Remember it with the saying Oh U Lucky Duck: o-u-l-d.

Could in a sentence

Example 1: Could you pass me the salt, please?

Example 2: When I was four, I could not swim.

Example 3: It could rain later, so take an umbrella.

Fun Fact

The l in could was added about five hundred years ago to make it look like would and should. It has never been said aloud in could.

Practise the CREST Way

Sound Check

Which word does not rhyme with 'could'?

a) good
b) hood
c) stood
d) cloud

Show answer

d) cloud. Cloud has the ow sound of cow, while the others share the short oo of could.

Word Champ

Choose the correct word for the blank:

____ you help me carry these books to the library, please?

a) Cold
b) Could
c) Cloud
d) Card

Show answer

b) Could. Could starts a polite request; a cloud floats in the sky, and cold and card cannot start a question.

Spell Spies

Choose the misspelt word/s in the given sentence:

We could not see the stage because a tall man was standing in frunt of us.

a) stage
b) standing
c) frunt
d) could

Show answer

c) frunt. Front is spelt with an o, even though it sounds like u.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In 'We could go to the park tomorrow', the plan is ____.

a) certain
b) finished
c) possible
d) cancelled

Show answer

c) possible

2. In 'Could you open the window, please?', the speaker is ____.

a) saying sorry
b) asking politely
c) telling a story
d) giving an order

Show answer

b) asking politely

Associated Words

Words that start with cou: cough, coupon, courier

More words from this list

dozen, grinder, lentil, plaster, sort, takeaway, windscreen, border

Next steps

How to participate in CREST International Spell Bee

The CREST International Spell Bee (CSB) is conducted in two editions – CREST International Spell Bee - Summer (CSB) and CREST International Spell Bee - Winter (CSBW) – giving students across the globe an opportunity to showcase and enhance their spelling proficiency. Designed for young learners from Senior KG to Class 8, the competition focuses on word-building, pronunciation, and vocabulary enrichment, helping students develop strong linguistic skills.

Steps to Participate:

Step 1: Visit the registration page and complete the registration with your desired subject.

Step 2: After Registration done, do login at www.crestolympiads.com/login.

Step 3: After login, go to dashboard and click on Book slot/Take Exam

Step 4: Schedule your exam date and preferred time.

Step 5: Log in with your credentials on the exam day at the scheduled time and take the exam.

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