Could for Making Suggestions?

Could for Making Suggestions?

Another common way to give a suggestion or recommendation is to use the word "could". "Could" is much softer and more indirect than using "should". We use "could" to give different options, but when we use "could" it shows that we do not have an opinion. You could do yoga if you want to be healthier.

Could is used for suggestions?

'Could' is used to express: possibility, past ability, and to make suggestions and requests. 'Could' is also used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of 'can'.

Can vs could for suggestions?

Can, like could and would, is used to ask a polite question, but can is only used to ask permission to do or say something ("Can I borrow your car?" "Can I get you something to drink?"). Could is the past tense of can, but it also has uses apart from that--and that is where the confusion lies.

Maya Lin-Takahashi
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Maya Lin-Takahashi

Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.