Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
Would and Could
From my understanding, would and could are used in 3 main situations:
1. Hypothetical - If I could go shoppping, I would.
2. Polite requests - Would it be ok if you helped me?
3. Polite offers/invites - Would you like to get a drink?
When else are they used?
What is the difference between:
a) I advise you to buy a car.
b) I would advise you to buy a car.
To me, (b) could be half a type 2 conditional. If you asked me, I would advise you to buy a car. Anything else?
c) I don't see how I could possibly manage to do that.
d) I don't see how I can possibly manage to do that.
What effect does changing can to could have? Is it more polite? Does it show more doubt?
1. Hypothetical - If I could go shoppping, I would.
2. Polite requests - Would it be ok if you helped me?
3. Polite offers/invites - Would you like to get a drink?
When else are they used?
What is the difference between:
a) I advise you to buy a car.
b) I would advise you to buy a car.
To me, (b) could be half a type 2 conditional. If you asked me, I would advise you to buy a car. Anything else?
c) I don't see how I could possibly manage to do that.
d) I don't see how I can possibly manage to do that.
What effect does changing can to could have? Is it more polite? Does it show more doubt?
Top answer
-- more tentative / polite When else are they used? I can run 10 km; when I was young, I could run 20 km. When I was young, I would run 20 km every Sunday.
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What is the difference between:
a) I advise you to buy a car; d) I don't see how I can possibly manage to do that.-- more candid
b) I would advise you to buy a car; c) I don't see how I could possibly manage to do that.-- more tentative / polite
When else are they used?
I can run 10 km; when I was young, I could run 20 km.
When I was young, I would ru
a) I advise you to buy a car; d) I don't see how I can possibly manage to do that.-- more candid
b) I would advise you to buy a car; c) I don't see how I could possibly manage to do that.-- more tentative / polite
When else are they used?
I can run 10 km; when I was young, I could run 20 km.
When I was young, I would ru
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AnonymouswhatWhat isdifferncethe difference betweeni"I could" and
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