SHOULD/WOULD/COULD

Question 1

SHOULD

Answer 1

TO EXPRESS SOMETHING THAT IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN:

• To ask or give advice
• To demonstrate obligation (not 100%)
• To give an opinion

John should be here by 2pm
He should bring Jenny with him
I should shower before going into the pool

Question 2

WOULD

Answer 2

TO TALK ABOUT POSSIBILITIES:

What would you want to do on your birthday?
How would you want to celebrate?
What would you do if you could fly?

TO MAKE A REQUEST ON A POLITE WAY OR TO OFFER SOMETHING:

Would like some coffee?
Would you help me lift this box?

HYPOTHETHICAL SITUATIONS:

IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY, I WOULD LIKE TO BUY A NEW PHONE. (2nd conditional)
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A TESLA CAR. (not conditional, just a wish)

Question 3

COULD

Answer 3

TO SUGGEST A POSSIBILITY, TO ASK FOR SOMETHING:

Could you please move this chair?
I could go to the store to buy bottled water.

TO ANSWER: (Yes= can, No= I could BUT, I wish I could but… etc)

YES: Yes I can
NO: I can't / I could, but I am working
I could, but I'm busy right now.
I could if I didn't have to go to my english class.
No I can't.