Would find vs could find

Question

Hi,'He has lost his keys.I wish he could find*/would find/found them.'What's the difference between the three structures?Are they all correct?The a bove question was asked by my students after giving the other two answerswould find,found and I couldn't explain.Please help me.* The corrct choice in the book is could find.Thanks

Avangi · Accepted Answer

In my opinion, "could find" is the only correct choice. I'll grant you it's hard to explain modals.

I wish he would leave me alone! --I wish he could leave me alone.--

I guess the second one could work if you're discussing his compulsion.

"Could" usually has to do with ability.

Wishes are usually about the present or the future, but you can also wish that things had been different.

I wish he had found his keys in time to keep his appointment.

I wish he would get off his lazy **** and go find his keys!

I wish he would get lucky and find his keys!

Skif · Answer

It seems to me that would find is also correct.

AvangiIn my opinion, "could find" is the only correct choice. I'll grant you it's hard to explain modals.

I wish he would leave me alone! I wish he could leave me alone.
I guess the second one could work if you're discussing his compulsion.
"Could" usually has to do with ability.

Absolutely agree, but wish ... would is a common construction to express that we want something to change or happen...

I wish it would stop raining

I wish somebody would answer it

Avangi Wishes are usually about the present or the future, but you can also wish that things had been different
"he has lost his keys" - so that the wish in the sentence may be about the present or the future so that we can use "would fine", can't we?

In my opinion there is a difference in meaning between would find and could find:

would find - expresses that the speaker wants the keys to be found(he may find them)

could find - expresses that the speaker wanted him to find the keys(and he was able to do it) but unfortunately he has no the keys now...

Avangi · Answer

skifIn my opinion there is a difference in meaning between would find and could find

I hope I didn't seem to suggest otherwise.

Best regards,

- A.

Skif · Answer

Avangi
skifIn my opinion there is a difference in meaning between would find and could find
I hope I didn't seem to suggest otherwise.

As for me you didn't suggest otherwise, I just meant that in my opinion both could find and would find are correct in that context despite they mean different things...

P.S. If I wrote something wrong or in a wrong way just tell me... Maybe I wrote something wrong by mistake(as I'm not very strong in English)

Anonymous · Answer

skif
Avangi
skifIn my opinion there is a difference in meaning between would find and could find
I hope I didn't seem to suggest otherwise.
As for me you didn't suggest otherwise, I just meant that in my opinion both could find and would find are correct in that context despite they mean different things... P.S. If I wrote something wrong or in a wrong way just tell me... Maybe I wrote something wrong by mistake(as I'm not very strong in English)

Hi,

I don't seem to understand what the difference is.Although Avangi seems to acknowledge the difference,no dissimilarities regarding the original sentence were presented.I need more specific explanation,please.

I think could find shows regret about the present situation only and the inability not to find the keys and doesn't express a future wish,while would find reflects hope for future unlikelines possibility of finding the keys.

I need your comments and corrections,please.

Lots of thanks.

Avangi · Answer

skifin my opinion both could find and would find are correct in that context despite they mean different things...

I agree. [Y]

Avangi · Answer

Anonymousno dissimilarities regarding the original sentence were presented.I need more specific explanation,please.

My apologies. I was tired, but aware that my reply was not comprehensive.
Actually, I should not have replied to your post.

There are ESL rules, codes, and definitions which categorize modals. I can give you examples, and discuss what they mean in various contexts, but I can't quote you the rules. Sorry.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI wish he could find*/would find/found them.

The last choice is wrong in my opinion. The others are related thus:

could find = would be able to find

That is, could combines the meaning of would and the meaning of be able.

In the case of could the wish is literally for the ability to find the keys.

It is not, strictly speaking, a wish to find the keys.

Nevertheless, it is standard in English to use ability as a substitute for actuality, so the listener will not take the meaning literally, but as a wish to find the keys.

In the case of would the wish is not for the ability to find the keys, but for the actual finding of the keys.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJim
AnonymousI wish he could find*/would find/found them.
The last choice is wrong in my opinion. The others are related thus: could find = would be able to find That is, could combines the meaning of would and the meaning of be able. In the case of could the wish is literally for the ability to find the keys.It is not, strictly speaking, a wish to find the keys.Nevertheless, it is standard in English to use ability as a substitute for actuality, so the listener will not take the meaning literally, but as a wish to find the keys. In the case of would the wish is not for the ability to find the keys, but for the actual finding of the keys. CJ

What can we do without you!Thanks.

Avangi · Answer

AnonymousWhat can we do without you!Thanks.

Second that.

Would find vs could find

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