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might could. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
might could, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
might could in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
might could you have here. The definition of the word
might could will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
might could, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
In many Germanic languages and dialects modals can be stacked to combine their meanings; compare Scots micht cud.
Verb
might could
- (double modal / stacked modal, used in some dialects, chiefly Southern US) might be able to (used to soften "could" or make it even more conditional)
- 1972-1991, Cyrus Colter, The Rivers of Eros →ISBN, page 133 :
- "Grammaw, Mr. Hammer said today you know things you won't talk about. That if he knew more about what's goin' on he might could go to the police, or to a lawyer, and maybe have Dunreith Smith arrested again."
- 2002-3, Michael Johnston, In the Deep Heart's Core →ISBN, page 172 :
- "He might could go there anyway and stay on academic probation for a year and then start running, but they won't accept him if he don't have a high school diploma."
Usage notes
The conjugation (with the full verb "go", for example) is:
- I might could go.
- You might could go, John.
- She might could go.
- We might could go.
- Y'all might could go. / Both of you might could go.
- They might could go.
See also
References
- Nagle, Stephen J. (1994) “The English Double Modal Conspiracy”, in Diachronica, volume 11, number 2, Coastal Carolina University: John Benjamins Publishing Company, →ISSN, pages 199-212