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what is the actual meaning of "would" and "could"?

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whoareu@lemmy.ca
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asklemmy@lemmy.world
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hii,

I am learning English for around 5 years and I still can’t comprehend the meaning of “would” and “count” in some context. are they just past form of “will” and “can”?

“would you like coffee” means a person is asking if you liked coffee in past? “I would do it” means I did it in past?

I really don’t understand since my language doesn’t have anything like those words.

Edit: Thank you for answering my naive question :)

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PaleRider@feddit.uk
10 points

I would love to help you, but I couldn’t possibly do that.

😋

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whoareu@lemmy.caOP
17 points

I would love it if you could have helped me.

Did I get it right? :D

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herescunty@lemmy.world
6 points

You would have got it perfect if you had said “I would have loved it if you could have helped me”, but you could say that you got it right.

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Today@lemmy.world
4 points

American - i would have said you would have gotten it perfect if you had said…

Brits prefer got?

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morphballganon@lemmy.world
3 points

I think the ideal phrasing is slightly different than the other poster. I would instead say “I would love it if you could help me” as that leaves open the possibility of present/future help. Saying “could have helped” presumes that it cannot be done anymore.

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