Could and would

Question

Are both the same? Jamie, if I gave you $100 could/would accept a package from NYC and then ship it to me in California?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

You left out a word: "Jamie, if I gave you $100 could/would you accept a package from NYC and then ship it to me in California?"

anon006Are both the same?

Not always. I suppose many people might say it one way or the other in simply making a polite request, and there would be no difference in meaning or nuance. To my ear, though "would" is right. You are asking Jamie if $100 is sufficient inducement to obtain her aid. You are not asking if the $100 produces the conditions necessary for her to carry out the favor because if you meant that, you would have to be clearer.

By the way, there is a nit unpicked here. They can't "both" be the same. They either are or are not the same.

CalifJim · Answer

anon006could/would

'could' includes 'would'. That is, 'could' adds something (the idea of ability) to the meaning of 'would'.

'could you' = 'would you be able to'

In these formulas of politeness it doesn't matter which you use. With could you aren't literally asking about someone's ability to do something. You are simply setting up the reasonable expectation that if someone has the ability, he will use that ability to do what you ask.

Could you hand me that book over there? assumes your conversation partner is strong enough to lift the book and pass it to you. The conditions for performing the action having been met, the question is really Would you hand me that book over there? which, in turn, is the veiled command Pass me that book over there.

Just to pick up on a previous comment in this thread, the reason Are both the same? doesn't work is that it means Is the first one the same, and is the second one also the same? Neither one can be the same by itself.

Likewise, 'both' is used incorrectly in these:

Both departments will compete against one another.
Both lengths were equal because both lines were parallel.
They both love each other; they both kissed each other.
Both of the twins looked the same. Both of them left the room together.

CJ

Could and would

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