The word would has many uses. It can be used in reported clauses, to ask someone something or give an order or instruction. In some cases, you can also use would to invite someone to do something. This article will look at how to use would. Its many uses are explained below. Here are a few examples of how to use would in sentences. Using would is similar to using could. In sentences that begin with “I would like to” or “I want to do X,” use “I would.”
Could
Could is a past tense form of the modal verb ‘can’, which expresses necessity and possibility. The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘can’ as “the ability to do something”. It pairs with ‘have’ as a past tense, and is used to express possibility. Although the word could is frequently used in informal writing, it is a mistake to use ‘of’ when using ‘can’.
The use of could is confusing for English language learners and beginners alike. Although both verbs are similar, a skilled writer knows when to use one over the other. Here is a quick guide to using could and would in sentences:
The auxiliary verb could is commonly used in conversation and as a substitute for can. This word implies a degree of doubt or possibility. For example, it can mean “whether” someone could help you or “if” something could happen. A modal expression in a conversation can be expressed with could or can’t. As the negative form of be able, could shows that you are not certain of a fact. The negative form of could can also be used in a question or to ask someone a question.