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Vincent Teo Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

polite expression - will / would / can /could

I AM quite confused about using “could you”, “can you”, “would you” and “will you”.

One day, I asked my school teacher about it and she told me there was no difference at all. She said if we used “would you” and “could you” to ask questions, that would show better manners.

After what she said, I wondered whether she was right.

What about sentences like “I could be a doctor one day” and “I can be a doctor one day”? The same applies to “would” and “will”. Can you explain these to me?
  

Top answer

Would indicates that you are willing to do something. Will is about the same but a little stronger. Could means you have the ablity.

— Tvmicah

  • Would indicates that you are willing to do something.
  • Will is about the same but a little stronger.
  • Could means you have the ablity.
  • Can means "to be able" so asking if you can do something is asking if you have the ability.
  • For example, Can you speak French?
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3 Answers
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Would indicates that you are willing to do something. Will is about the same but a little stronger. Could means you have the ablity. Can means "to be able" so asking if you can do something is asking if you have the ability. For example, Can you speak French? means do you know how to speak French.

Tammy
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If you're asking a favor, that is, you want someone to do something for you, use Could you? or Would you?

Could/Would you please pass me the salt?
Could/Would you do me a favor?
Could/Would you please help me lift this?

You can use Can or Will in all three above, but Could and Would, especially when you add please
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i was thinking of a sentence that reads you could win.and a different way reading you can win.

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