The modal verb would, often abbreviated to ‘d’ in spoken English, means that you presume something is true or that you have a good reason to believe it. Use would in conjunction with love, wish, and to express an opinion or agreement. Here are examples of sentences in which you might use would. But what are its main uses? Read on to learn more. 1.1 How to Use Would in Conversations
Could
Could and can are both forms of the verb ‘can.’ A person can do something because they have the ability to do it, but not necessarily because they are able to do so right now. However, you can use both forms of the verb to refer to the same thing, for example, you could ask a friend if they speak Arabic, or you could offer something to someone who doesn’t know you. The word ‘could’ has different meanings depending on whether you are talking about the past or the present.
Could is also a form of the past subjunctive. Sometimes it is used to refer to permission. In such a case, could would be inappropriate. Instead, you would use may or might. Both are acceptable, but some speakers and writers find them more logical. If you’re not sure, check the Oxford Dictionary for the correct usage of could. You can make your sentences easier to understand by learning the differences between the two. This way, you’ll know which type of could is appropriate for a particular situation.
Could and would are not interchangeable, but a skilled writer knows when to use each one. Although both verbs are commonly used interchangeably, they have different situations. For example, you could write “My brother told me he had a dog” if your friend has a cat. In the same way, if you’re talking about a person, you might write “He could get you,” while using “She could” in a business setting.