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

submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 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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[-] oxjox@lemmy.ml 13 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Would: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/would
• a simple past tense and past participle of will
• used to express an intention or inclination
• used to express an uncertainty
• used in conditional sentences to express choice or possibility

Could: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/could
• a simple past tense of can
• used to express possibility
• used to express conditional possibility or ability
• used in asking for permission

Would / will is used when something is possible but you're not sure.
Could / can is used when you're not sure if something is possible. --

[-] almar_quigley@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago

This is the right answer

this post was submitted on 16 Jun 2024

84 points (92.0% liked)

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