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Dutch frequency list

No. 219 in Dutch

konden

"Could" (past tense of "can").

In a sentence

  • We konden gisteren niet naar de winkel gaan vanwege de regen.

    We could not go to the store yesterday due to the rain.

    Indicates past ability or possibility, here as not being able to go somewhere due to conditions.

  • Als we meer tijd hadden gehad, konden we langer blijven.

    If we had more time, we could have stayed longer.

    Expresses past potentiality in a conditional construction, reflecting what could have been possible under different circumstances.

  • Zij konden heel goed zwemmen toen ze jong waren.

    They could swim very well when they were young.

    Highlights a repeated action or skill in the past, referring to ability during a specific period.

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