Could vs. Would
Couldverb
conditional of can
Couldverb
Used as a past subjunctive (contrary to fact).
Couldverb
Used to politely ask for permission to do something.
Couldverb
Used to politely ask for someone else to do something.
Couldverb
Used to show the possibility that something might happen.
Couldverb
Used to suggest something.
Couldnoun
Something that could happen, or could be the case, under different circumstances; a potentiality.
Could
Was, should be, or would be, able, capable, or susceptible. Used as an auxiliary, in the past tense or in the conditional present.
Couldverb
past of can
Couldverb
used to indicate possibility
Couldverb
used in making suggestions or polite requests
Couldverb
used to indicate annoyance because of something that has not been done
Couldverb
used to indicate a strong inclination to do something
Wouldverb
(heading) As a past-tense form of will.
Wouldverb
(obsolete) Wished, desired (something).
Wouldverb
(archaic) Wanted to ( + bare infinitive).
Wouldverb
Used to; was or were habitually accustomed to ( + bare infinitive); indicating an action in the past that happened repeatedly or commonly.
Wouldverb
Used with bare infinitive to form the "anterior future", indicating a futurity relative to a past time.
Wouldverb
(archaic) Used with ellipsis of the infinitive verb, or postponement to a relative clause, in various senses.
Wouldverb
Was determined to; loosely, could naturally have been expected to (given the tendencies of someone's character etc.).
Wouldverb
(heading) As a modal verb, the subjunctive of will.
Wouldverb
Used to give a conditional or potential "softening" to the present; might, might wish.
Wouldverb
Used as the auxiliary of the simple conditional modality (with a bare infinitive); indicating an action or state that is conditional on another.
Wouldverb
Might wish ( + verb in past subjunctive); often used in the first person (with or without that) in the sense of "if only".
Wouldverb
Used to impart a sense of hesitancy or uncertainty to the present; might be inclined to. Now sometimes colloquially with ironic effect.
Wouldverb
Used interrogatively to express a polite request; are (you) willing to …?
Wouldverb
Might desire; wish (something).
Wouldnoun
Something that would happen, or would be the case, under different circumstances; a potentiality.
Would
Commonly used as an auxiliary verb, either in the past tense or in the conditional or optative present. See 2d & 3d Will.
Wouldnoun
See 2d Weld.
Wouldverb
past of will, in various senses
Wouldverb
(expressing the conditional mood) indicating the consequence of an imagined event or situation
Wouldverb
used to give advice
Wouldverb
expressing a desire or inclination
Wouldverb
expressing a polite request
Wouldverb
expressing willingness or consent
Wouldverb
expressing a conjecture, opinion, or hope
Wouldverb
used to make a comment about behaviour that is typical
Wouldverb
expressing a wish or regret
