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

submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by [email protected] to c/asklemmy

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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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[–] showmewhatyougot 8 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Let's see if I can give at least something understandable. To start with, definitely not past tence.

If you ask "would you like coffee?" you're asking in the present if coffee is something the person wants to drink now. If you ask "would you go to the store?" you are asking if the person doesn't mind going to the store.

Could is similar but is slightly different, is to ask if the person can do something.

Could you take out the trash ? - are you able to take out the trash?

Would you take out the trash? - do you mind taking out the trash?

Not sure this helps, but in project management there's this think called the MoSCoW scale to define how important a requirement is, it looks like:

Must (you have to do it)

Should (very important but not as important)

Could (not important but if you can you should do it)

Would (would like to have, this is definitely not important but if you have enough time it'd be great)

[–] 9point6 2 points 5 months ago

Oh interesting, I've always taken the W in MoSCoW as "Won't"