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china🇨🇳Jun 16, 2024

what is the actual meaning of "would" and "could"?

what is the actual meaning of "would" and "could"? - Lemmy.ca

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.

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jordanlund

Would is more definitive than could in most cases.

“That sounds like something Jim would do.”

“I don’t think Kevin would ever do that.”

But when phrased as a question, “Would you like coffee?” it’s asking your preference, again, a definitive yes/no.

Could is less about definitive fact, and more about possibilities.

“Yes, I could see Jim doing that.”

Did he do it? Did he not do it? Unknown, but the possibility is there.

“No, I don’t think Kevin could do that.”

Is it POSSIBLE Kevin did something? It’s possible, but the speaker finds it unlikely.