Difference Between Could and Would in English Grammar

November 2022 · 3 minute read

Could is used to say that an action or event is possible. Would is used to talk about a possible or imagined situation, and is often used when that possible situation is not going to happen.

Could and would sentences?

Comparison Chart

Basis for ComparisonCouldWould
ExamplesI could have gone to the parlour.I would like to go America.
She could walk 50 miles in a day, when she was young.Would you mind if I take your novel?
Maybe she could meet Piya when she go to Amsterdam.I would meet you, but I was little busy.
•29 жовт. 2019 р.

Could and would have difference?

These past modal verbs are all used hypothetically, to talk about things that didn't really happen in the past. 1: Could have + past participle means that something was possible in the past, or you had the ability to do something in the past, but that you didn't do it.

Can you vs Could you VS would you?

The most proper way to use these words is to use "could" if you're not sure if the person is able to do something. For example, "Could you take care of my cat next weekend?". ... If you know the person is capable of doing what is asked, then it's better to use "would".

How can I use could in a sentence?

Here are some more examples:

  • People could do so much more for their community.
  • I couldn't have said it better myself.
  • We could have left the party earlier.
  • The girl was crying because she couldn't find her parents.
  • You could have stopped by the grocery store. We need some milk.
  • I couldn't have done it without you.
  • Where is could used?

    "Could" is a modal verb used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests. "Could" is also commonly used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of "can." Examples: Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city.

    How can I check my grammar online?

    Grammarly's online grammar checker scans your text for all types of mistakes, from typos to sentence structure problems and beyond.

  • Eliminate grammar errors. ...
  • Fix tricky spelling errors. ...
  • Say goodbye to punctuation errors. ...
  • Enhance your writing.
  • Can vs Can grammar?

    Can, like could and would, is used to ask a polite question, but can is only used to ask permission to do or say something ("Can I borrow your car?" "Can I get you something to drink?"). Could is the past tense of can, but it also has uses apart from that--and that is where the confusion lies.

    Would have and would have been?

    What is the difference between "would have" and "would have been"? Answer: "Would have" is used together with a main verb. When you see "would have" in a sentence it means that the action didn't actually happen, because something else didn't happen first.

    Is could you please rude?

    They're not impolite -- they're just less polite than the versions with please.

    Can you or will you?

    May implies that you are asking for permission. Can implies that you are questioning somebody's ability. Will implies that you are seeking an answer about the future.

    Which is more polite can you or could you?

    To answer the question: "could" definitely sounds slightly more polite than "can" to a native speaker since it is less direct and more deferential as a result. "Could" is a form of "can", so both are technically asking "are you able to...". This is not the difference between the two.

    ncG1vNJzZmidnmOxqrLFnqmbnaSssqa6jZympmeRp8Gqr8ueZp2hlpuys7HNnJyYmpWpxKaxzZiaqK2cmayiusOYrqitnJmsqrq%2BnqWgpJmotaCz0Zqkppmi