The following is a conversation.
Could anyone please tell me which is the most appropriate comment among the 3 choices(1,2,3)? And please tell me the reason.
A: There's a convenience store across the street. Let's stop in to get something to drink.
B: Good idea.
(1)I use a bag of potato chips or something.
(2)I can use a bag of potato chips or something.
(3)I could use a bag of potato chips or something.
2007-01-04 22:34:54 · 8 answers · asked by KenY 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
If you said this to me in english, this is what I would think.
(1)I use a bag of potato chips or something.
use it for what?
(2)I can use a bag of potato chips or something.
Use it to do what?
ex: I can use a bag of chips to make a loud popping sound by jumping on them.
(3)I could use a bag of potato chips or something
OK, lets see what types of chips they have.
By using the word "could" it implies that you don't have it but if you did it would be of use to you.
2007-01-04 22:53:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No 3 is the best of a bad bunch but they are all colloquialisms.
"I would like a bag of potato chips or something similar." or
"I would like something such as a bag of potato chips."
would be English.
2007-01-04 22:47:11 · answer #2 · answered by Roger B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely No. 3, but I'm struggling for an explanation.
2007-01-04 22:44:41 · answer #3 · answered by JJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 is the best answer
2007-01-04 22:42:28 · answer #4 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 - it just sounds more natural.
2007-01-04 22:36:50 · answer #5 · answered by Lei 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3. sounds better.
2007-01-05 06:42:20 · answer #6 · answered by Martha P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3! it's just a saying really "I could use a.....". I suppose it's somewhere in between "I want" and "I need"
2007-01-04 23:22:09 · answer #7 · answered by fatso 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"I would like a packet of crisps please"
2007-01-04 22:49:26 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋