Common mistakes
Could, would, or should: choose the meaning
You want to share an idea or give advice. Which word fits? Pick could, would, or should.
Could, would, and should can change the meaning of your sentence. Start with what you mean, then choose the verb form.
Try what you have learned
Listen to a recording, type what you hear, and check your answer.
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could, would, or should KUUD-WUUD-or-SHUUD
In fast speech, these words become light and short. Listen for quick sounds like cuhd and shuhd.
The short answer
Use could for possibility, would for imagined results, and should for advice. When another verb follows, use its base form.
You should call them before you leave.
Why it works: Use should here because you're giving friendly advice to someone.
3 more examples
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Planning an evening meal with friends
We could eat dinner at that new place tonight.
Here could presents a possible idea for the group to consider.
Not this:We
shouldeat dinner at that new place tonight. What changes: Should makes a recommendation. Could presents an option for the group to consider. -
Talking about dreams and travel
I'd travel more if tickets weren't so expensive.
Use I'd because you're imagining a result under a condition.
Not this:I
couldtravel more if tickets weren't so expensive. What changes: This changes the focus from what you choose to what you can do. -
Helping a friend finish a workout
You should drink some water after that run.
Should gives the speaker's recommendation.
Not this:You
should to drinksome water after that run. What changes: Adding to after the modal verb breaks the basic English pattern.
Quick check
Which sentence directly recommends an early night, instead of presenting it as an option?
Answer: You should go to bed early.
Show the answer
Answer: You should go to bed early.
Should gives a direct recommendation here. Could would present an option.
Read the full guide
Try the listening exerciseYour friend asks what to do next. You can offer an option, recommend an action, or explain what you would do in their place.
Match the word to your goal
The problem: I know the rule but I still choose the wrong form when I speak.
You are choosing a place for lunch. Could presents a possible plan; should recommends one. Would can show an imagined result. Could and would can also make polite requests.
Suggesting an option or giving a recommendation.
We could walk, but we should take the bus.
Showing what happens in an imagined situation.
I'd take the bus if it stopped here.
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We could try the Italian cafe down the street.
Why it works: Use could to offer an open option.
-
You should check the bus timetable first.
Why it works: Use should for sensible advice.
-
Could you hold this door for a moment?
Why it works: This is a polite request, not a question about past ability.
Your turn
Which sentence explicitly presents the cafe as a possible option, without directly recommending it?
Answer: We could try that new soup cafe.
Show the answer
Answer: We could try that new soup cafe.
Could presents an option. Should would recommend it; would needs an imagined or understood context here.
Use the plain base verb
The problem: I add to or change the first verb form after could, would, or should.
Put a base verb directly after these three words. Do not add to before that verb or change it to a past form. A later verb may still use to, as in would like to go.
-
Not this:
You should to call your brother.Say: You should call your brother.
The first verb after should is the base form call, without to.
-
Not this:
She could swam at the age of six.Say: She could swim at the age of six.
Could swim describes a general ability in the past; swim stays in its base form.
Your turn
Complete the sentence with the correct form of get.
Answer: You look exhausted, so you should get some sleep.
Show the answer
Answer: get
Use get directly after should, without to.
Separate advice from imagined choices
The problem: I am unsure how direct advice differs from saying what I would do.
A friend asks for your view on a problem. Should states what you recommend. You can also give advice by saying what you would do in their place.
State your recommendation directly.
You should ask the manager for help.
Describe your choice in that person's place.
I'd ask the manager if I were you.
-
You should take an umbrella today.
Why it works: Should gives your recommendation.
-
I'd stay home if it rained all day.
Why it works: Use I'd because you're describing your own imagined choice.
Your turn
Which sentence gives direct advice, without presenting an option or an imagined choice?
Answer: You should speak to your teacher.
Show the answer
Answer: You should speak to your teacher.
Should gives direct advice here. Could can also offer a helpful suggestion.
Spot weak sounds and contractions
The problem: I wrote should of instead of should have because that is what I heard.
The l is silent in could, would, and should. Their full forms rhyme with good. In fast speech, the vowels may be weaker, and would often contracts to 'd.
-
Not this:
I should of asked for help earlier.Say: I should've asked for help earlier.
The spoken sound is a contraction of have, never the word of.
Your turn
Arrange the words to make a natural spoken sentence with a contraction.
Answer: I'd help you if I could.
Show the answer
Answer: I'd help you if I could.
I'd means I would here because the next verb is help.
Before you go
Question 1 of 1
A customer wants advice from the travel agent on the best policy. What does the customer ask?
At a travel desk choosing an insurance package
Answer: Should I take the extra cover, or would you pick the basic plan?
Show the answer
Answer: Should I take the extra cover, or would you pick the basic plan?
Should asks for advice, and both verbs stay in their plain form.
Remember this
Use a base verb directly after could, would, or should. Choose the word by the meaning you intend, and remember that both could and should can introduce suggestions.
Listen first
Listen and write
Listen, type what you hear, then choose Check my answer. Use a hint when you get stuck.
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Listening 1 of 4
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Read the transcript
We could catch the train if it's ready.
Could expresses a possible option for the journey.
Listening 2 of 4
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You should call them before you're late.
Should gives advice about when to call.
Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.
Listening 3 of 4
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We should leave soon because the afternoon traffic's getting worse. We could easily take the side streets if you'd prefer a much faster route.
Should recommends leaving; could offers a possible route.
This clip is longer. Follow the instruction above the answer field.
Listening 4 of 4
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0:00
Read the transcript
You should take your warm coat today. The dark clouds look heavy, so it could rain soon. I'd hate for you to get soaked on the way home. We could also share my umbrella if you haven't got yours. That would make the walk much easier for both of us.
This everyday scene combines advice with an imagined result.
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Test yourself
Listen to a new clip and write what you hear. You can replay it, but hints stay off and the transcript opens after you check your answer.
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Listening 1 of 3
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Offering help during a busy morning
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I'd help you if I had more time.
I'd shows an imagined result under a condition.
Listening 2 of 3
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Making a polite request at a desk
0:00
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Could you pass that box across the desk?
Could starts a polite request in a conversation.
Listening 3 of 3
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Shopping for winter clothes at a market
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I'd buy that coat today, but it's a bit too heavy. You should check the lighter jackets because they're on sale.
I'd describes an imagined choice and should offers advice.
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Save my progressQuestions about "Could, would, or should: choose the meaning"
Can both could and should introduce a suggestion?
Yes. Could often presents an option for someone to consider. Should makes the recommendation more direct. The choice depends on how strongly you want to recommend the action. Should still expresses your advice or judgement; it does not prove that your choice is best.
You could borrow a folding table.
You should check the measurements before ordering.
Can I use either could you or would you for a polite request?
Yes. Both can politely ask someone to do something. In a request, could does not normally refer to past ability. Would can ask whether someone is willing. Your tone and the situation also affect how polite the request sounds.
Could you carry this tray for me?
Would you write your name on the label?
Which verb form comes after could, would and should?
Use the base form of the next verb, without to or an added ending. That means forms such as go, take and help. A later verb may still need to: in would like to visit, like directly follows would, while to visit belongs with like.
She could join the afternoon class.
We would like to visit the workshop.
Can would give advice as well as describe an imagined result?
Yes. I would can tell someone what you would do in their situation. The condition may be spoken or understood. This is one reason you cannot give each modal just one meaning. Read the whole sentence to see whether would offers advice or describes something else.
I'd choose the smaller suitcase if I were you.
I wouldn't leave the window open tonight.
Does might always mean less certainty than could?
No. Both can express possibility, and speakers do not agree on a fixed ranking. The surrounding words and the speaker's tone matter too. For this lesson, first notice whether the sentence describes a possibility, gives advice, or imagines a result.
The parcel could arrive this afternoon.
The parcel might arrive this afternoon.