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Mitsuo23 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Would means can't? always true?

Hi all,

I have a question about the usage of "would."

According to a text book that I have, "would" in the future tense means, in a way, "can't." Is this always correct? Like, if I say, "I'd stay a bit longer," that means, "I can't stay longer."

My idea of "would" is a bit different. I understand the can't-usage. Like, if someone said, "yeah, I'd come to the party tomorrow if my ex-wife was not the host," I'd assume that he can't and won't come to the party.

But I've been using "would" to express my guessing, too, for "I'm not sure but I guess I will." For instance, "I'd complete this project by this weekend,"and what I meant by it is, "I guess I can probably finish the project by this weekend." but never thought that I'm suggesting I can't complete it by this weekend," instead.

Practically, is that largely depending on the contexts? Or "I would" always means "I can't"?

Thanks for your help.
M
  

Top answer

I think 'I can't' is not a useful synonym for 'I would' at all. ') in certain contexts.

— Mister Micawber

  • I think 'I can't' is not a useful synonym for 'I would' at all.
  • ') in certain contexts.
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3 Answers
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I think 'I can't' is not a useful synonym for 'I would' at all. That meaning is merely a specific interpretation of the 2nd conditional ('I would if...') in certain contexts.
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Thank you for the quick reply, but will you explain more plainly? When I'm asking something I'm not sure, I often need easy explanations.

Thanks,
M
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