We're at the grocery store and the line is very long. So, I say to my mom:

We could come back later.

VS

We can come back later.

Are both OK? What's the difference?

Question

We're at the grocery store and the line is very long.  So, I say to my mom:  We could come back later. VS  We can come back later.Are both OK?  What's the difference?

Tamguatlay · Accepted Answer

I would say "We shall come back later. "

Bebop · Answer

Yes, I understand that that's probably the best answer. But are both of my replies wrong?

We could come back later.

AND

We can come back later.

Bebop · Answer

Here's another example:

The sales attendant is busy with other customers. My friend doesn't wanna wait in line so I say to her:

We could come back later. VS We can come back later.

It's a suggestion so can I use could here?

Khoff · Answer

bebopThe sales attendant is busy with other customers. My friend doesn't wanna wait in line so I say to her: We could come back later. VS We can come back later.

Both of your choices are possible. "Could" implies more of a suggestion, and "can" merely states a fact -- it sounds as if you have already made up your mind.

By the way -- I don';t know anyone who regularly uses "shall." And "we will come back later," is different in meaning from both "we could come back later" and "we can come back later."

Please be aware that using "wanna" in written English makes a very bad impression!

We're at the grocery store and the line is very long. So, I say to my mom: We could come back later. VS We can come back later. Are both OK? What's the difference?

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