Would/could

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hanuman_2000

#53574 Thu, 04 Nov 04 11:30 AM

Sir,

What could you buy?

What would you buy?

Which one is correct?

Could I use your phone?

Would I use your phone?

Which one is correct?

Thanks.

hanuman_2000

Joined on Thu, Aug 12 2004

INDIA

Contributing Member (1,612)

nona the brit

#53584 Thu, 04 Nov 04 01:58 PM

In these circumstances could asks what is possible and would asks what you would choose as an option.

What could you buy?
How much money have you got, what shop are you in , what it is possible for you to buy? What could you buy for Annie's birthday? means what are you able to buy for her.
What would you buy?
What do you think you might buy in these circumstances? What would you buy for Annie's birthday? means give me some suggestions as to what she would like.

Could I use your phone - am I able (will you give permission for me to do so) to use your phone? This is a polite request.

Would I use your phone? - would I want to use your phone. I don't know, why, do you think you might catch something from it? Actually this could be used in circumstances like this - a new employee without their own phone being told that one of their duties is to order stationery - Would I use your phone for that or the one in reception?

nona the brit

Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004

England

Veteran Member (11,355)

The name says it all.

gary lee

#53645 Thu, 04 Nov 04 09:57 PM

Hi Friend

Can someone pls simplify below sentence. I'm not quite sure what it means..Pls Help

=========
Full Sentence:
=========
I'm not a trained teacher but have a good level of education and primarily write for a living. Interested in this forum as partner has English as second language. Happy to help.

======================
Sentence that I don't understand:
======================
"Interested in this forum as partner has English as second language."
Thank You,
Gary

gary lee

Joined on Tue, Oct 26 2004

Junior Member (57)

nona the brit

#53740 Fri, 05 Nov 04 10:49 AM

Sorry, I guess I was abbreviating a little too much.

It should read in full 'I am interested in this forum as my partner has English as a second language.'

In other word: my boyfriend is not a native English speaker and that has sparked my interest in this forum.

nona the brit

English as a second language

gary lee

#53744 Fri, 05 Nov 04 11:06 AM

Hey nona the brit,

Thanks for the simplification.

"my boyfriend is not a native English speaker and that has sparked my interest in this forum"

why u're interested in this forum as your boyfriend has english as a second language?

Personal question.. hehe mind to reply?

Thanks for yr help,
Gary

gary lee

English as a second language

nona the brit

#53779 Fri, 05 Nov 04 02:50 PM

I'm interested in language generally, use written English as a tool for the majority of my work, and have found this an interesting way to focus in on aspects that seem 'obvious' to me as a native speaker, but do not to others.

nona the brit

gary lee

#53786 Fri, 05 Nov 04 04:15 PM

Hi nona the brit,

Thank you for yr reply.

Can someone pls simplify below sentence. I'm not quite sure what it means..Pls Help

=========
Full Sentence:
=========
I'm interested in language generally, use written English as a tool for the majority of my work, and have found this an interesting way to focus in on aspects that seem 'obvious' to me as a native speaker, but do not to others.

======================
Sentence that I don't understand:
======================
"and have found this an interesting way to focus in on aspects that seem 'obvious' to me as a native speaker, but do not to others."

sorry i have difficulties understanding tough english, but thats the way to learn.

Thank You so much,
Gary Lee

gary lee

nona the brit

#53787 Fri, 05 Nov 04 04:34 PM

It's fun to explore the oddities of my own language.

nona the brit