TDOL: UE Quiz-Wish

[Tdol]

Not that odd- their noise is their volition, not capabilities and that is what the speker is moaning about.

[blacknomi]

Originally Posted by RonBee

"Could you keep the noise down?" is a polite way of making a request. Still, you would like them to keep the noise down. What they would do (if you had your way) would be quieter.

Yes, I would like them to keep the noise down.
Yes, I could like them to keep the noise down. (NO)

I think I've got rocks in my head at the moment and I can't figure out Tdol's example.


I would/could keep the noise down if he wishes. (Both are OK.)

But if you reverse the sentence,

He wishes, then I will use "could" in the next noun clause as in "I could keep the noise down." Changing "could" to "would" is far fetched for me. I think I need some examples so that I can feel it.



Thanks,
Blacknomi

[blacknomi]

Originally Posted by tdol

Not that odd- their noise is their volition, not capabilities and that is what the speker is moaning about.

Why? I don't get it.
Tdol, why don't you think it's the capabilities?! They can lower down their voice, so they could if they wanted to do so.

Are you saying that "could" is not possible in your example sentence?

I wish they could keep the noise down next door.

[Tdol]

'Could' wouldn't express a choice there for me- that's what 'would' does.

I wish he could come = it's impossible
I wish he would come = he could if he wanted to, but won't