I could, but you would have to buy me
Consider this, please:
Friend: Can you help me with this project?
Me: I could, but you would have to buy me a new phone.
Me: I could, but you will have to buy me a new phone.
Are they both correct? If so, is there any difference between them?
Top answer
Strictly speaking "would" seems a better fit with "could", but in practice people might use either. "will" feels a bit less hypothetical. In conversation, the contractions "you'd" and "you'll" would often be used.
- Strictly speaking "would" seems a better fit with "could", but in practice people might use either.
- "will" feels a bit less hypothetical.
- In conversation, the contractions "you'd" and "you'll" would often be used.
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Strictly speaking "would" seems a better fit with "could", but in practice people might use either. "will" feels a bit less hypothetical. In conversation, the contractions "you'd" and "you'll" would often be used.
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