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

submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 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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[-] titus_w_blotter@lemmy.world 9 points 6 months ago

"Would" is a very confusing word in English. It can mean opposite things, but native English speakers don't usually notice how confusing it is.

"Would you?" can be a polite way of asking asking a question. "Would you like some coffee?" is basically the same as "Do you want some coffee?" but a little gentler. It implies more permission to say no.

You say yes to a "would you" question by saying "I would," or, "yes, I would."

EXCEPT

"I would" can also be a polite way of saying no. It means that the answer would be yes under some different circumstance. Someone might say "I would have some coffee, but I'm avoiding caffeine." This is like saying, "Under a different circumstance I'd gladly accept your offer."

So if I ask "would you like some coffee?" and you say "I would." That means yes. If you say "I would, but I just had some." That means no.

Many English learners find this extremely confusing, for good reason.

[-] oxjox@lemmy.ml 13 points 6 months ago

You're not helping to describe the use of "would" by adding extra words to negate the intent. "I would, but I won't" is two statements. You've instead described the use of the word "but".

this post was submitted on 16 Jun 2024

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