Regarding the use of "could"
We had the long long question-answer discussion over here https://www.englishforums.com/English/MeaningOfCouldInASentence/bnmmdm/post.htm#sc2568275
And I wanted to sum it up in something like this, assuming we don't know what time, future or present, the sentence is about. Let me use that "refer" verb in patterns below 
The pattern "something/someone + may/might/could + refer to something" can be changed to the patterns:
1)"it is possible that something/someone refers/will refer to something"
2) "maybe/perhaps something/someone + refers/will refer to something"
Is it correct?
Top answer
DVBC Is it correct? Yes, in the general case, but in the example given, it's quite clear from the context that we don't mean that a given word " will refer" to something tomorrow or next week or next year. CJ
- DVBC Is it correct?
- Yes, in the general case, but in the example given, it's quite clear from the context that we don't mean that a given word " will refer" to something tomorrow or next week or next year.
- CJ
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DVBCIs it correct?
Yes, in the general case, but in the example given, it's quite clear from the context that we don't mean that a given word "will refer" to something tomorrow or next week or next year.
CJ
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