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PreciousJones Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Tickets

I would like to know if I could buy advance screening tickets for a movie.

Or

I would like to know if I can buy advance screening tickets for a movie.

Shouldn't it be could since the sentences begins with would?

Why is the latter sentence correct?

Thanks!
  

Top answer

Hi, I would like to know... ~ I want to know... Would is just used to make the whole request seem politer.

— Regards

  • Hi, I would like to know...
  • ~ I want to know...
  • Would is just used to make the whole request seem politer.
  • It does not really affect the tense.
  • Both can and could seem correct to me in your sentence.
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1 Answers
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Hi,

I would like to know... ~ I want to know... Would is just used to make the whole request seem politer.

It does not really affect the tense. Both can and could seem correct to me in your sentence.

Usually, using could is considered to be more tentative.

Regards
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