Could vs Would

 

Could vs Would

Could

= 1) Past tense of “can”

= 2)Used to show possibility 

Ex: You could be right about that.

= 3) Used in making polite requests 

Ex: Could I use your bathroom?

 

Would

= 1) Past tense for “will”. 

Ex: He would work for many years until he died.)

= 2)Used to express the future in past sentences

Ex: He said he would go tomorrow)

= 3)  Used to show  the consequence of an imagined event or situation

Ex: He would lose his job, if he didn’t go to work.)

= 4)  Giving advice

Ex: I would go to work, if I was you.)

*The root word for Could = can ( “Could” can be replaced with “maybe” or “might.”)

*The root word for Would = will ( It is definite: Yes you would or No you wouldn’t)

 

Ex:

a)If you were an American you “could” vote for Trump.  = If you were an American, you have the chance to vote, so you might vote Trump, but you might not.

b)If you were an American you “would” vote for Trump. = If you were an American, you definitely will vote for Trump.

 

Ex:

a)If I gave you a gun, you “could” kill someone with it.  =  You have the power to kill someone, so maybe you will, but maybe you won’t.

b)If I gave you a gun, you “would” kill someone with it. = If gave you the gun, you will definitely kill someone with it. (But I hope you wouldn’t)

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