wouldn't be able to continue vs couldn't continue

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Wouldn't be able to continue' implies a hypothetical situation where the ability to continue is in question, while 'couldn't continue' indicates a past situation where the ability to continue was lacking.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 2164 views

This phrase is correct and is commonly used in English to express a hypothetical situation where the ability to continue is in question.

"wouldn't be able to continue"

This phrase is used to talk about a situation where someone imagines or speculates about not being able to continue something in the future.

Examples:

If I lost my job, I wouldn't be able to continue paying my rent.
Without proper funding, the project wouldn't be able to continue.
If the weather gets worse, we wouldn't be able to continue the outdoor event.
She wouldn't be able to continue her studies without a scholarship.
If the car broke down, we wouldn't be able to continue our journey.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 10, 2024

Jan 29, 2023 ... i feel like i wouldn't be able to continue the bit if someone was laughing and commenting in my ears. QUERY! also, it never looks like ...
Mar 3, 2015 ... It was almost as if my former self was telling me I was worthless because I wouldn't be able to continue sitting in an office for ten hours a ...
I wouldn't be able to continue to lead the church. I wouldn't want to go on. Then it hit me. The things that kept me awake at night were the things that I ...
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Apr 7, 2024 ... ... Wouldn't be able to continue w/o my peeps! I hope that you ALL shine a little brighter this week!!! #stompfentanyl #raisingawareness ...
If he had really been infused with the divine seed of God, that life-giving seed would have so changed him that he wouldn't be able to continue living as he ...
Oct 31, 2024 ... ... wouldn't be able to continue painting. My online exhibition ends tomorrow 1 November, midnight (Irish time). If you subscribe to my mailing ...
We wouldn't be able to continue this work without our trusted partners. Many organizations help Eversight work toward our mission to restore sight and ...
If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be able to continue to produce or host freebies. We'd love to have... Read More · Garter Slouch, slouchy Hat knitting pattern ...
Aug 22, 2020 ... I wouldn't be able to continue to do what I do without your ongoing support. Thank you and loads of love! ❤️ ⚠️If you'd like to try my ...

Alternatives:

wouldn't be able to proceed
wouldn't be able to carry on
wouldn't be able to go on
wouldn't be able to persist

This phrase is correct and is commonly used in English to indicate a past situation where the ability to continue was lacking.

"couldn't continue"

This phrase is used to describe a situation in the past where someone was unable to continue a particular action or task.

Examples:

Due to the storm, we couldn't continue the outdoor concert.
The team couldn't continue the game due to the player's injury.
I couldn't continue reading the book because it was too boring.
The company couldn't continue production without the necessary materials.
She couldn't continue the conversation because she had to leave.

Show examples from the web [+]

Oct 8, 2014 ... While I am happy to call myself a political science graduate without understanding how our elected officials come to power, I couldn't continue ...
California Breed couldn't continue without Bonham. News / Scott Munro / 20 Jan 2015. Mainman Glenn Hughes says he knew writing was on the wall when ...
The error is : "We couldn't install office. We're sorry. We ran into a problem and couldn't continue. If another program is installing, please wait for ...
Dec 31, 2014 ... UConn Men's Notebook: Boatright Just Couldn't Continue. Ryan Boatright. John Woike. UConn guard Ryan Boatright walks to the bench to get ...

Alternatives:

were unable to continue
were not able to continue
could not proceed
could not carry on
could not go on

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wouldn't be able to continue vs couldn't continue