Help with could question

I think, "if you liked" would sound weird, as you already have known the way the person likes to be helped or not.

"I could help you if you like" is more natural to me.

So it is not a matter of tense here: can goes with like; could goes with liked.

And either is possible? But could indicates atentativeness when compared with 'can', as in I could help you if you like. Is that right?

"if you like" is an idiomatic pattern. This outweighs grammatical arguments.

I guess that "atentativeness" is supposed to say "tentativeness". Yes, in such cases "could" is more tentative and less definite than "can".

Thanks. So 'could' can go with both 'if you like or like', but is more idiomatic and natural with 'like'. Have I understood correctly?

Also, would the same case apply for: I would help you if you like or liked. And is is more idiomatic with 'like' and it is grammatically correct with both 'like and liked'. Please confirm?

Thanks in advance.

AnonymousSo 'could' can go with both 'if you like or like'

I don't understand what this means. Please provide the complete sentences.

AnonymousAlso, would the same case apply for: I would help you if you like or liked. And is is more idiomatic with 'like' and it is grammatically correct with both 'like and liked'.

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Sorry. I meant to say that 'I could help you if you liked' is grammatically correct, but the use of 'like at the end is more natural and idiomatic. Both both are correct?

And why is I would help you if you like/liked not natural? How about: I would help you if you want. Is that ok? Would either 'wanted or want' be correct, and is 'want' more idiomatic just as the previous example?

AnonymousSorry. I meant to say that 'I could help you if you liked' is grammatically correct, but the use of 'like at the end is more natural and idiomatic. Both both are correct?

"I could help you if you liked" seems grammatically well formed but unidiomatic.

AnonymousAnd why is I would help you if you like/liked not natural? How

So can I say: I would help you if you want me to, since you said that I could help you if you like is possible.

And if I were writing should I use the idiomatic: I could help you if you like or the grammatical... if you liked.

In other words why is 'I could help you if you like possible, and I would help you if you want me to, not possible.

I am a bit confused here!

"if you like" and "if you want" are set expressions. They are used idiomatically and do not always work like regular conditionals.