Could (verb)
conditional of can
Could (verb)
Used as a past subjunctive (contrary to fact).
“I think he could do it if he really wanted to.”
“I wish I could fly!”
Could (verb)
Used to politely ask for permission to do something.
“Could I borrow your coat?”
Could (verb)
Used to politely ask for someone else to do something.
“Could you proofread this email?”
Could (verb)
Used to show the possibility that something might happen.
“We could rearrange the time if you like.”
Could (noun)
Something that could happen, or could be the case, under different circumstances; a potentiality.
Would (verb)
As a past-tense form of will.
Would (verb)
Wished, desired (something). 9th-19thc.
Would (verb)
Wanted to ( + bare infinitive). from 9thc.
Would (verb)
Used to; was or were habitually accustomed to ( + bare infinitive); indicating an action in the past that happened repeatedly or commonly. from 9thc.
Would (verb)
Used with bare infinitive to form the “anterior future”, indicating a futurity relative to a past time. from 9thc.
Would (verb)
Used with ellipsis of the infinitive verb, or postponement to a relative clause, in various senses. from 9thc.
Would (verb)
As a modal verb, the subjunctive of will.
Would (verb)
Was determined to; loosely, could naturally have been expected to (given the tendencies of someone’s character etc.). from 18thc.
Would (verb)
Used to give a conditional or potential “softening” to the present; might, might wish. from 9thc.
Would (verb)
Used as the auxiliary of the simple conditional modality (with a bare infinitive); indicating an action or state that is conditional on another. from 9thc.
Would (verb)
Might wish ( + verb in past subjunctive); often used in the first person (with or without that) in the sense of “if only”. from 13thc.
Would (verb)
Used to impart a sense of hesitancy or uncertainty to the present; might be inclined to. Now sometimes colloquially with ironic effect. from 15thc.
Would (verb)
Used interrogatively to express a polite request; are (you) willing to …? from 15thc.
“Would you pass the salt, please?”
Would (noun)
Something that would happen, or would be the case, under different circumstances; a potentiality.
Could (verb)
past of can
Could (verb)
used to indicate possibility
“I would go if I could afford it”
“they could be right”
Could (verb)
used in making suggestions or polite requests
“could I use the phone?”
“you could always ring him up”
Could (verb)
used to indicate annoyance because of something that has not been done
“they could have told me!”
Could (verb)
used to indicate a strong inclination to do something
“he irritates me so much that I could scream”
Would (verb)
past of will, in various senses
“the windows would not close”
“he said he would be away for a couple of days”
“she wouldn’t leave”
Would (verb)
(expressing the conditional mood) indicating the consequence of an imagined event or situation
“he would lose his job if he were identified”
Would (verb)
used to give advice
“I wouldn’t drink that if I were you”
Would (verb)
expressing a desire or inclination
“I would love to work in America”
“would you like some water?”
Would (verb)
expressing a polite request
“would you pour the wine, please?”
Would (verb)
expressing willingness or consent
“who would live here?”
Would (verb)
expressing a conjecture, opinion, or hope
“I would imagine that they’re home by now”
“I guess some people would consider it brutal”
“I would have to agree”
Would (verb)
used to make a comment about behaviour that is typical
“they would say that, wouldn’t they?”
Would (verb)
expressing a wish or regret
“would that he had lived to finish it”