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Aqua82 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Little problem about "would" and "could"
i would like to to know the rules that need to be followed when using the words, "would " and "could"
i know "would" is past of "will" and "could" is past of "can" but for example;
"I would go to the cinema if I didn't have so much work"
in this sentence we are talking about future and then we are using didn't. strange isn't it? or i might misunderstanding this
i know "would" is past of "will" and "could" is past of "can" but for example;
"I would go to the cinema if I didn't have so much work"
in this sentence we are talking about future and then we are using didn't. strange isn't it? or i might misunderstanding this
Top answer
aqua82 "I would go to the cinema if I didn't have so much work" This is correct. You can use the past tense in an if clause together with would (or could ) in the main clause, even though you are talking about a situation in present or future time. This pattern tells the speaker that you are only imagining the situation.
- aqua82 "I would go to the cinema if I didn't have so much work" This is correct.
- You can use the past tense in an if clause together with would (or could ) in the main clause, even though you are talking about a situation in present or future time.
- This pattern tells the speaker that you are only imagining the situation.
- In this pattern, the past tense is not used to refer to past time; it is used to suggest something remote from reality -- something envisioned or imagined.
- This combination occurs very frequently when you use if .
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2 Answers
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aqua82"I would go to the cinema if I didn't have so much work"This is correct. You can use the past tense in an if clause together with would (or could) in the main clause, even though you are talking about a situation in present or future time.
This pattern tells the speaker that you
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