Would Vs Could Vs Should Vs Might in English!

6/23/2016
WouldvsCouldvsShouldvsMightinEnglish!
Would vs Could vs Should vs Might in English!
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This is a question that pops up a lot in English learning.
What is the deal with Would vs Could and also Should vsMight?.
When should you use which one? Which is more polite? What would a native speaker say?
Dont worry!
The following is your one-stop guide to the proper usage for each word. You can refer back to any of this during your
independent study or you can ask a question in the comments and Ill do my best to clear things up.
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Probability vs Possibility
Examples!
Before explaining the terms, we need to look at what these words are trying to explain.
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Would vs Could = PROBABILITY
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Should vs Might = POSSIBILITY

The best way to understand the di erence is with the following sentences:
I will probably see you later.(more de nite)
I will possibly see you later.(less de nite more doubt as it is also possible that I will not see you later)
Try to say them to yourself a few times before reading more so that you hear the di erence. Got it? Great!
Would vs Could
The most important thing to realise here is that these verbs are being used to showprobability.
Its easier when you look atthe root verbs of these words:
Would Will
Could Can
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Would is more a rmativethan could, but it requires conditions to be met:
I would go to the supermarket if Dad hadnt taken the car.
Whereas with could, the speaker is able to perform the task but has an excuse as to why they wont:
I could go to the supermarket, but I dont feel like it right now.
Would and couldcan also be used for purposes of being polite when used in questions.
Would to a native speaker, sounds a little more direct than could.
Applyingthe root verbs above, if you ask someone to do something by saying:
Would you _____ ?
You are implying that they are de nitely able to do it and therefore should have done it already.
Could sounds a little more polite because you are saying:
Are you able to do _____
This implies that you dont expect them to do it but it would be great if they can.
84
Take a look at these two contrasting examples:
Share
Spoken sentence: Would you close the door, please?
Tweet
Translation: I know you are able to close the door, do it.
4 Versus:
62
Shares
Spoken Sentence: Could you close the door, please?

Translation: If it is possible and if you want to, canyou close the door please?
22
Realistically, a native speaker would not and should not get angry with you for using wouldrather than could, but
this is one way to sound a bit more polite and less demanding.
Should vs Might
These two are very similar butare de ning possibilitywhich is slightly di erent from probability.
Lets use the example of predicting the weather:

Spoken sentence: It should be raining now, but its actually sunny!
Translation: Rain was expected, but in fact its sunny.
In the example above, there was an 80 percent chance of rain.
Now compare that to the following:

Spoken sentence: It might rain later, but it also might be sunny.
Translation: Both events are possible.
In this instance, there isa 50 percent chance of rain, nobody issure.
Obligation
Should and might can also be used to explain obligation.
For example:
Spoken sentence: I should go to the bank later.
Translation: I have an appointment and Ihave some money todeposit.
There is a sense of obligation here. You could also say: I need to go to the bank later.
In comparison to the following example:

Spoken sentence: I might go to the bank later.
Translation: I dont have to, but its possible that I will go to the bank.
Here is another example for practice:

Spoken sentence: I should go to work, but I dont want to.
Translation: Its a good idea for me to go to work and I probably will even though I dont feel like it.
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Versus:
Spoken Sentence: I might go to work later.
Translation: I dont have to go to work, but I could get some extrawork done.
Yes, I know, this is a lot of information to digest!

The best way to completely understand the information is to practice by speaking to a native speaker so that it
becomes natural. In any case, try saying it out loud and you will start to hear the di erence between the examples.
I hope this helps and please feel free to ask any questions below!
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6/23/2016

Would vs Could vs Should vs Might in English!

Wish you A or Happy Holidays asked by Ana

This is a question that pops up a lot in English learning.

Whats the di erence between : 1) family 2) the

Other ways to say "Nice To Meet You"

Would vs Could = PROBABILITY

Who wants to practice English on Facebook?

Should vs Might = POSSIBILITY

Spoken sentence: Would you close the door, please?

Translation: I know you are able to close the door, do it.

Spoken Sentence: Could you close the door, please?

Lets use the example of predicting the weather:

Now compare that to the following:

In comparison to the following example:

Here is another example for practice:

Yes, I know, this is a lot of information to digest!

Please login or Register to Submit Answer

You need an account to comment. Login with:

Free Learning Materials

MyEnglishTeacher.eu is the world's

Online Group English Classes

2015 Copyright MyEnglishTeacher.eu - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions

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