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will, would, can, could...??
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Ahn  #337329  Fri, 09 Mar 07 07:18 AM

1.

But the fundamental problem which will (would) not be solved by this measure is that there is no place where the discharged patient can (could) stay except slum.

In this sentence, can I use 'would' for 'will' and could for 'can'?  If I can't, please let me know why!
  
Ahn
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Mister Micawber  #337386  Fri, 09 Mar 07 10:20 AM

The writer can use would and could if s/he wishes to express less confidence in the truth of the statement or if s/he wishes to be more diffident for politeness's sake.  It also needs to read 'except in a/the slum'.
  
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