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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Could or can

Can I say:
I would if I can. Or would should only be followed by can?
  

Top answer

I would if I can. Incorrect. I would if I could.

— Clive

  • I would if I can.
  • Incorrect.
  • I would if I could.
  • OK I will if I can .
  • OK
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8 Answers
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I would if I can. Incorrect.

I would if I could. OK
I will if I can. OK
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"I would if I could." is almost idiomatic, and as such it is pretty meaningless as an example of correct grammar (idioms can be pretty loose as far a grammar goes). "I would if I can." is a little edgy grammatically but is apparently possible, since "would" is a modal and is not strictly the past tense of "will." For example, you can say: "I would if I'm able to." Here you have a present tense
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Neither "I would if I can" nor "I would if I am able to" is possible in standard English.
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Thanks. That is what I thought. What would be used instead of 'i am able to' in that phrase? I would if .......
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I would if I were able to/I would if I was able to/I would if I could.
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Got it. Thank you very much teacher.
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Just curious, if I am able to goes with ... I will.
I will if I am able to. Right?
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