[Grammar] Would, Could

[superman11]

Hi. Please, when and how we use would and could ?
Thanks.

 

[TheParser]

Hi. Please, when and how we use would and could ?
Thanks.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Good morning, Superman.

(1) "Would" is the past of "will." ( agree to do something)

(2) "Could" is the past of "can." (be able to do something)

(3) Here are some examples of "will" and "would":


(a) Will you be quiet? More polite: Would you be quiet (if I asked you)?

(b) Will you answer my question? More polite: Would you answer...?

(c) If I have time, I will come to your party tonight.

If I had time (I do not. I work at night, too), I would come to your party.

(4) Here are some examples of "can" and "could":

(a) Excuse me. Can I sit here? More polite: Could I sit here?

(b) If I can find time today, I will visit you.

If I could find time today (I can't. My boss wants me to work all day

and all night), I would visit you.

(5) Some more examples:

(a) Can you speak English? If you can, I will hire you for the job

right now!

(b) I'm so sorry. If you could speak English (you cannot), I would give

you the job right now. (But I will not give you the job because you cannot

speak English.)

(c) If I were rich, I could give you $1,000. But I am not rich, so I cannot

give you $1,000. Sorry!

(d) If I were rich, I would give you $1,000. But I am not rich, so I will not

give you $1,000. Sorry!


Have a nice day, Superman!