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Synonym Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Would and could

If only you would come to know how much I love you/ how true it is.

If only you could come to know how much I love you/ how true it is.

Please let me know the difference between the above lines. [would and could]
  

Top answer

In this pair of sentences, If only you would come to know = If you only came to know = If you only knew If only you could come to know = If only you were able to come to know = If only you were able to know The first is a wish that you did know something. The second is a step removed from the first. It is a wish that there was a way by which you would become able to know something.

— CalifJim

  • In this pair of sentences, If only you would come to know = If you only came to know = If you only knew If only you could come to know = If only you were able to come to know = If only you were able to know The first is a wish that you did know something.
  • The second is a step removed from the first.
  • It is a wish that there was a way by which you would become able to know something.
  • CJ
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1 Answers
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In this pair of sentences,

If only you would come to know = If you only came to know = If you only knew

If only you could come to know = If only you were able to come to know = If only you were able to know

The first is a wish that you did know something.

The second is a step removed from the first. It is a wish that there was a way by which you would become
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