The difference between 'I would' and 'I could'
My understanding is that if you are using the Condition Tense, it is referring to things that you 'could' do but that are not certain. What about things that you 'would' do. For example the difference between, 'If I were you, I would do it' and 'If I were you I could do it'. It is only a subtle difference but a difference none the less. 'Would' seems more certain than 'could'. Do both examples use the conditional tense or is there another tense I am missing?
8 Answers
Explain the difference? Mmmm... I would if I could, hehe.
Would ....... conditional of "Will" and used with other verbs to idicate habitual past tense action
Could ........ conditional of "Can" and past tense of "Can"
could = are able (have capacity, etc.) to do it (whether or not you, in fact do it). would = would, in fact, do it (which, obviously, implies the ability to do it)
P.S. If I could, then I would but since I can't, I won't.
Generally speaking, Could: implies the ability/ capacity to do something, or being in the position to do carry-out an action ( In case you are interested this is translated in Spanish using the verb 'poder'
Would: is concerned with the willingness. or inclination to carry out an action
eg I would have helped the old lady carry her shopping to her car if I hadn't been driving my children to school (at the time)
The woman was willing to help the old lady (would) but she was unable to help as she was otherwise occupied (could not help ) Would is used in the conditional sense here conditional upon being free to help.
Would is also used, as Julian Chivis correctly said, to indicate habitual past action
In summer we would go to the beach
=En verano íbamos ir a la playa.
Would in this context is translated into Spanish using the imperfect, rather than the conditional tense, since the action is habitual
I hope this helps 
Corto y conciso: técnicamente would no significa nada, could sí significa algo.
Would se usa para formar el tiempo condicional, could significa "podría".
I would go : iría
I could go: podría ir
please delete this post.
Would:to be able to do it but not able to take action due to an impediment. Yo lo iciera. Could-to be able to to do it but indecisive about taking action. Yo lo podria aser
Could= podría Would= se
En tú ejemplos Could= Es mas o menos pasado de ´can´
Would= Es pasado de ´will´
Pero no se si es todos igual
¡¡¡Lo siento para me Español!!!
