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Reference

Would, could, should

One ending that turns a sentence into a "what if", or makes a request polite.

All grammar
The ending that carries it
-ksi-
Called
tingiv kõneviis
the conditional in an English grammar book

What it is for

  • Wishes and what-ifs: "if I had time, I'd come"

    • Kui oleksin maal edasi, künnaksin traktoriga põldu.

      If I were still in the countryside, I would be plowing the field with a tractor.

  • Asking nicely: "I'd like a coffee", rather than "I want"

Practice these in the app, on words you are learning, with every answer marked. Sign in, it’s free

  • Ma tahaksin sinult midagi paluda.

    I would like to ask you for something.

  • Tahaksin vana külmiku tasuta ära anda.

    I would like to give away my old refrigerator for free.

  • Giving advice without bossing anyone around

    • Kui hammas valutab, siis peaksid hambaarsti juurde minema.

      If you have a toothache, you should go to the dentist.

    • Neid probleeme tuleks koosolekul arutada.

      These issues should be discussed at the meeting.

    • Watch out

    This is how you're polite as much as how you say "would". What's fine between friends can sound blunt to a stranger, and this ending is the fix.

    On real verbs

    from the dictionary
    VerbmasatametenadFrom
    aitamato helpaitaksinaitaksidaitaksaitaksimeaitaksiteaitaksidderived
    algamato begin (of itself)algaksinalgaksidalgaksalgaksimealgaksitealgaksidderived
    alustamato begin (something)alustaksinalustaksidalustaksalustaksimealustaksitealustaksidderived
    andmato giveannaksinannaksidannaksannaksimeannaksiteannaksidderived

    Try it

    1 of 3, just practice

    andma means to give. Which one is "you would", talking to one person?

    Where the course teaches it

    8 units
    • Asking, telling and offeringA2Tell someone what to do, ask for something politely, and offer to help.
    • Eating outA2Read a menu, order a full meal and ask what's in a dish.
    • Would, could, shouldB1Talk about what would happen, ask for things politely and give advice.
    • Opinions and disagreementB1Give an opinion, agree, disagree politely and say why.
    • Environment and sustainabilityB1Discuss environmental problems and what should be done about them.
    • Things going wrongB1Report a problem, complain so it gets heard, and ask for it to be fixed.
    • Working lifeB2Handle a job interview, a negotiation and a difficult conversation at work.
    • Right, wrong and responsibilityC1Argue an ethical position, and make the best case for the side you disagree with.

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