Pourraient (en. Could)

/puʁɛ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

Indicates a possibility or ability in the conditional.

They could come to the party if they finish on time.

Ils pourraient venir à la fête si ils finissent à l'heure.

Expresses a supposition or opinion.

It could be a misunderstanding.

Il pourrait s'agir d'un malentendu.

Used to evoke a future action dependent on a condition.

We could leave earlier if the weather permits.

Nous pourrions partir plus tôt si le temps le permet.

The word comes from the Latin verb 'potere', which means 'to be able to'.

they could

Indicates a possibility that they perform an action.

ils pourraient

you could

Suggests that the interlocutor has the ability to do something.

vous pourriez

we could

Expresses an imagined option or plan.

nous pourrions

to be able to

Having the capacity or permission to do something.

pouvoir

possibility

State of being possible or certain.

possibilité

ability

The fact of being capable of something.

capacité

Informal assumption about ability or permission.

They could show up at the party, who knows?

Ils pourraient se pointer à la soirée, qui sait ?

Indication of a non-serious possibility.

She could win the lottery, but we first have to play.

Elle pourrait gagner à la loterie, mais on doit d'abord jouer.