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Unit 9: Tenses

Difference between could and Would notes

COULD and WOULD are first cousins to CAN and MAY. CAN is to be used when you are
speaking about someone’s “ability or capability” to do something. MAY is to be used when you
are talking about “permission” to do something.
In most instances COULD and WOULD indicate the mood of the main verb that they “help.” In
order to decide which word is appropriate to the MOOD, you must determine if you are asking
about the person’s capability or about his willingness.

Example:
1. COULD you open the door for me when I get there?
In this instance, you are asking if the person is able – has the ability – to do the door-opening.
If, for instance, that person will not be there, then he/she will not be able to perform the
simple task. COULD is used to determine one’s capability or ability to do something.

2. WOULD you open the door for me when I get there? In this sentence, the speaker knows or
assumes that the person will be there, but the speaker is asking “permission” [help] from
the possible door opener person. It’s not a question of the person’s availability, capability,
or ability. It is a question of the person’s willingness to perform the act of door-opening.

self assessment

Fill in the blank with the right word:
15. On Sunday I have to work late. When I get home I ………………… have eaten dinner.
(will/would)
16. The dogs ………………… have been playing for 3 hours in 10 minutes. (will/would)

17. He ………………… have completed the task by six o’clock tomorrow. (will/would)
18. She ………………… ready for the test if she had been preparing diligently. (would have
been/had been)

9.5 summary

l In English, there are three basic tenses: present, past, and future.

l Present tense shows the actions at current time.
l Past tense shows actions related to the time that has passed.
l Future tense shows the actions related to future.
l Each tense has an indefinite form, indicating simple form.
l Each tense has a perfect form, indicating completed action.
l Each has a continuous form, indicating ongoing action.
l Each has a perfect continuous form, indicating ongoing action that will be completed at
some definite time.

9.6 keywords

Continuous: Form of tenses that indicates an ongoing action
Indefinite: The simplest form of any tense
Perfect: Form of tenses that indicates a completed action

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