Clarify the differences between, "should" "would" "could".
Flex your English knowledge skills.
15 answers from our tutors
Best answer
Should, would and could are auxiliary verbs. 🎤Should is used to indicate obligation or recommendations. 🫡Would is used to express hypothetical situations or willingness. 🤝Could is used to express possibility or ability.
Should is used to talk about something that ought to happen Would is used to talk about something that will happen in an imagined situation. Could is used to talk about something that can happen.
Should is used when there is something important to be performed. It is also used to give advice. Could is used to ask a question. It is also used as past form of can. Would is used to ask or say something politely.
Check your English level for free
Take our quick and free test to find out your current level of English
Start testShould is used for advice or to indicate that something is a good idea. For example: You should drink plenty of water to be healthy. Would is used for a hypothetical situation. (condition) example : If I had a lot of money I would travel around the world. Could is used for possibility and also to make polite request. For example: Could you please pass the salt? (request) Or I could help you him look after the baby. (possibility)
Should refers to obligation. Would refers to Probability. Could refers to Possibility.
Both should and would are modal verb. "Should" is used to indicate advice, suggestions, obligations and duty. That someone must ought to do something. While "Would" is used to indicate express a wish, preferences, offer or request. That possible situation will not going to happen.
Should is reccomendations. Would is possibility.
Should is a suggestion. Would is a possibility. Could means it is possible if tried.
Should, would and could are modal verbs. They are better translated when associated with a main verb. Should denotes obligation, for example, 'I should be at work now'. This sentence means I am obligated to be at work now. Would shows probability of the main verb associated with it happening in the future, for example, 'I would travel to Angola if the visa process was not tedious'. In this example the probability of travel depends on the visa process. Could expresses possibility, for example, 'If I could get whatever I want, I would want a peaceful world'. I hope my explanation helps.
"Should" is used as a suggestion, e.g: You should open the door. "Would" is used as a conditional, e.g: You wouldn't have approved the exam if you hadn't study so much. "Could" is used for formal question, e.g: Could I have some bread?
Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking.