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I know that "could" is used for past ability but also I see some other sentences like "Could you please..." or something like this which actually doesn't mean an ability in the past.

What are the other kinds of usage for "could"?

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Could is used to express unreal meaning, possibility and ability, but, when used in a question, it also offers a more polite way than can to ask permission.

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    Afshin: Could you have picked a more difficult word to explain? Even if I could list all the ways the word 'could' could be used, I don't think they could all fit in just one comment; it is a very flexible word. Could you ask an easier question next time? (No need to really answer those questions; I'm just providing a few examples of the different usages Barrie mentions.)
    – J.R. ♦
    Commented Apr 9, 2013 at 23:32

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