ellos pudieran

could

→ poder
pud can; be able to + iera imperfect subjunctive + n 3rd person plural
auxiliary · third plural · imperfect subjunctive Rare #25,802
could Imperfect subjunctive (ustedes/ellos/ellas) of "poder"; often used after expressions of doubt, desire, or in conditional clauses (e.g., "si...").
SP: Si pudieran, vendrían mañana.
EN: If they could, they would come tomorrow.
Conjugation of poder
Subjunctive imperfect
SingularPlural
Second pudieras —
Third — pudieran

Temían que pudieran ser deportados.

They feared they might be deported.

Pero Él evitó que los ojos de esos viajeros pudieran reconocerle.

But He prevented the eyes of those travelers from recognizing Him.

— Stalker (1979)

Ella no pensaba que sus sueños pudieran hacerse realidad.

She didn't think her dreams could come true.

Algo que pudieran ver y tocar.

Something they could see and touch.

Si pudieran revisar mi gramática, en serio lo agradecería.

If you could check my grammar, I’d really appreciate it.

Si las piedras pudieran hablar, ¿cierto Art?

If stones could talk, right Art?

— El hombre de la Tierra (2007)

Como si dos personas no pudieran ser felices sin depender de alguien más.

As if two people couldn't be happy without depending on someone else.

— Perfectos desconocidos (2016)

Desearía que tu madre y padre pudieran verte ahora.

I wish your mother and father could see you now.

— Malcolm X (1992)

Cerré la puerta para que ellos no pudieran oírnos.

I closed the door so that they couldn’t hear us.

Si pudieran entenderlo.

If only they could understand.

— Lars y una chica de verdad (2007)

Me alegra que pudieran evacuar, mamá.

I'm glad you were able to evacuate, Mom.

— El gran diluvio (2025)

Si las personas pudieran elegir su lengua, cada una tendría la suya.

If people could choose their language, each would have their own.