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    Could/Would

    Cours gratuits > Forum > Forum anglais: Questions sur l'anglais || En bas

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    Could/Would
    Message de headway posté le 11-11-2011 à 14:09:17 (S | E | F)
    Bonjour à tous,

    J'aide une amie à traduire une phrase mais il y a un détail qui me chiffonne
    La phrase est la suivante:

    -I'm trying to quit smoking. As a result of this I'm so desperate for food that I could/would lick stamps and I need all my strength to stop me from reaching out for anything to eat in sight.

    Je ne sais pas si je dois employer would ou could
    Il y a sans doute d'autres erreurs que je ne vois pas.
    Merci à ceux et celles qui m'éclaireront

    Bonne journée.
    Headway.

    -------------------
    Modifié par headway le 11-11-2011 14:13



    Réponse: Could/Would de sherry48, postée le 11-11-2011 à 14:20:44 (S | E)
    Hello headway.

    I prefer could. The conditional 'would' is better with something more added, such as...I would lick stamps if I had any. You could also consider...to keep me from, instead of stop me, and anything in sight to eat, rather than anything to eat in sight. Have a nice day. Sherry

    -------------------
    Modifié par sherry48 le 11-11-2011 14:21




    Réponse: Could/Would de lucile83, postée le 11-11-2011 à 14:24:20 (S | E)
    Hello headway,

    I'd say:
    -I'm trying to quit smoking. As a result, I'm so desperate for food that I could lick stamps, and I need all my willpower to keep me from looking for anything to eat that would be in sight.

    Have a nice weekend

    -------------------
    Modifié par lucile83 le 11-11-2011 14:37
    I have changed will to willpower sherry; it is more precise, you are right.Thanks!




    Réponse: Could/Would de headway, postée le 11-11-2011 à 14:24:29 (S | E)
    Thank you Sherry for your quick answer and explanation

    Regards.
    Headway.




    Réponse: Could/Would de lucile83, postée le 11-11-2011 à 14:30:39 (S | E)
    Hello sherry

    We have posted at the same time
    I see we both agree with 'could'.
    Have a nice weekend as well!



    Réponse: Could/Would de sherry48, postée le 11-11-2011 à 14:33:45 (S | E)
    Hello lucile.
    I like yours. I would only change 'will' to willpower. Have a nice weekend too!
    Sherry


    -------------------
    Modifié par sherry48 le 11-11-2011 14:54





    Réponse: Could/Would de headway, postée le 11-11-2011 à 14:40:07 (S | E)
    Hello Lucile,

    Thanks for your reply.
    I think I will make changes

    Cheers!
    Headway.




    Réponse: Could/Would de headway, postée le 11-11-2011 à 14:58:49 (S | E)
    Hi again,

    Would that be correct to say:

    I'm trying to quit smoking. As a result, I'm so desperate for food that I could lick stamps, and I need all my willpower not to get my hands on anything to eat that would be in sight.

    Headway.

    -------------------
    Modifié par headway le 11-11-2011 15:00
    ... and I need all my willpower to refrain myself from getting my hands on anything to eat that would be in sight?
    Does the above make sens?




    Réponse: Could/Would de lucile83, postée le 11-11-2011 à 15:09:50 (S | E)
    Hello headway,

    I never used 'get my hands on' ; I know 'lay my hands on/ put my hands on' but they are colloquial expressions.
    You can use them of course; it depends on the context.
    Refrain myself from -ing is OK.
    Cheers!




    Réponse: Could/Would de sherry48, postée le 11-11-2011 à 15:11:24 (S | E)
    Hi headway.
    Or you could say...I need all my willpower to keep my hands off anything to eat within sight. (or in my sight)
    Maybe 'get my hands on is Sherry

    -------------------
    Modifié par sherry48 le 11-11-2011 15:13
    ------------------
    Modifié par sherry48 le 11-11-2011 15:13



    Réponse: Could/Would de headway, postée le 11-11-2011 à 16:24:13 (S | E)
    Hi,

    again thank you very much Lucile and Sherry for your help

    I think that I now have everything I needed

    Cheers!

    Headway




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    Cours gratuits > Forum > Forum anglais: Questions sur l'anglais