“Is there a way you could/would accept?”

Question

Is it correct to write this in a formal letter:

My certificate is not valid anymore. Is there a way you could accept my expired certificate?"

Or should I use would instead of could? And what is the difference between those two?

Looks OK. You may want to tell them how long ago your certificate expires, as that may affect whether they will accept it. — TrevorD, Jul 12 '13 at 19:34

score 3 · Answer 1 · edited Jul 13 '13 at 12:23

3

I think it is fine.

I would write "would". To steal and potentially misapply from GrammerCop [sic]:

Would is definite, but conditional--it will happen if certain conditions are met. Could is a possibility--it may or may not come to be.

edited Jul 13 '13 at 12:23

Simon Kuang

658

answered Jul 12 '13 at 19:43

mikeY

1,685

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 12 '13 at 21:01

3

I think Is there a way you could? is asking a factual question; do the regulations allow for expired certificates in any circumstances, and if so when? This unfortunately invites the response 'Sorry, rule 7 requires a valid certificate'.

If you already know that, but you are pleading for a minor indulgence, what's wrong with please accept my expired certificate in the circumstances, which allows you to bring in all the reasons why they should be sympathetic?

answered Jul 12 '13 at 21:01

Tim Lymington

35,168

1

+1 Could deals with possibilities (usually physical or legal), would deals with choices. "If he could fly would he choose to do so?" – bib Jul 13 '13 at 00:04

“Is there a way you could/would accept?”

2 Answers2