what is the actual meaning of "would" and "could"? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by kionite231@lemmy.ca to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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hii,

I am learning English for around 5 years and I still can't comprehend the meaning of "would" and "count" in some context. are they just past form of "will" and "can"?

"would you like coffee" means a person is asking if you liked coffee in past? "I would do it" means I did it in past?

I really don't understand since my language doesn't have anything like those words.

Edit: Thank you for answering my naive question :)

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[-] TheBananaKing@lemmy.world 12 points 4 months ago

Could is maybe-can: I bet I could jump over that car [if I wanted to].

As opposed to I bet I can jump over that car [and I'm going to try].

Would is maybe-will: If you saw an alligator, would you run away?

Would is also 'did', for habitual actions. When I was young, I would wait by the window for my father to come home.

[-] A_A@lemmy.world 3 points 4 months ago

Great answer, straight to the point, easy to understand for non-native English speaker
... and you also add this last part that I didn't know.

this post was submitted on 16 Jun 2024

84 points (92.0% liked)

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