She could just go limp

[Klpno]

Hi everyone.

I'd like to ask about the meaning of 'could' in a sentence in the following passage.

The train arrived, and at least three different people stepped on her foot as they moved. She almost didn't have to provide the forward motion herself. She could just go limp and be carried on the wave of people.

Does the phrase 'she could just go limp' mean 'she went limp' or it just implies that she could do so, but in reality she didn't do that?

[Alan]

Hi,

The meaning of 'could' has two strands. In this sentence:

When she was young she could easily swim several lengths of the swimming pool. Here 'could' indicates 'was able to' because we are referring to a factual past time.

In your sentence 'She could just go limp' there is a condtional element where 'could' indicates 'would be able' because the inference is that she didn't go limp. The full meaning is: 'She would be able to go limp if she wanted to'.

Alan
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[Klpno]

Thank you very much, Alan.