Could, would and should are all used to talk about possible events or situations, but each one tells us something different.

How do I use Could, Would & Should?

Duration: 50 minutes.

Let’s take a look at today’s lesson

This lesson looks at the difference between could, would, and should.

Lesson Key: (L) = Listening (U) = Understanding. (R) = Reading.

What is the difference between, Could, Would e Should?

Could, would and should are all used to talk about possible events or situations, but each one tells us something different.

Could is used to say that an action or event is possible.

Would is used to talk about a possible or imagined situation, and is often used when that possible situation is not going to happen.

Should is used to say that something is the proper or best thing to do, or to say that someone ought to do something or must do something.

Let’s have a look at some examples.

Robert could visit us on Monday.
This tells us that it is possible Robert will visit on Monday, maybe he can visit us, but maybe he has other options, too. Visiting us is one possibility.

Robert would visit us on Monday.
This tells us that we can imagine a situation in which Robert wants to visit us on Monday, but maybe it is not actually possible.
Robert is willing to visit us, under the right conditions or if he can.

Robert should visit us on Monday.
This tells us that Robert visiting on Monday is a good idea, or that it is something Robert is obligated to do.

Robert could visit us on Monday.
Robert might visit us on Monday. Visiting us is just one possibility.

Robert would visit us on Monday.
Robert wants to visit us on Monday if conditions allow, but it might not be possible.

Robert should visit us on Monday.
Robert is obligated to visit us on Monday.

“Could”, “would”, and “should” are modal auxiliary verbs in English that convey different ideas.

  1. Could:
    • Expresses past ability: “I could swim when I was a child.”
    • Suggests possibility or potential: “We could visit the museum tomorrow.”
  2. Would:
    • Describes past habits: “Every winter, we would go skiing.”
    • Indicates conditional situations or polite offers/requests: “I would help if I could.” or “Would you like a cuppa?”
  3. Should:
    • Gives advice or recommendation: “You should see a doctor.”
    • Suggests expectation or probability: “They should be here by now.”

Test on the Use of “Could”, “Would”, and “Should”

Choose the most appropriate word to fill in the blanks.

  1. If I had known about the party, I _______ have come earlier.
  2. You _______ take an umbrella with you; it looks like it might rain.
  3. When she was a child, she _______ spend hours reading books.
  4. _______ you pass the salt, please?
  5. It _______ be a good idea to start your project early to avoid last-minute stress.
  6. They _______ visit their grandparents every summer during the holidays.
  7. If he studied harder, he _______ pass the exam.
  8. If you’re not feeling well, you _______ see a doctor.
  9. I _______ speak Spanish fluently when I lived in Spain, but I’ve forgotten most of it now.

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