480 What is not really doubted may, from caution or from courtesy, be treated as not yet certain; hence a wide range of meaning. Might, could, may, and even must, are often convenient in translating, but the Greekexpression is not properly potential (cp. the last example in 479).

Oὐκοῦν πόροις ἂν τήνδε δωρεν ἐμοί; would yοu then grant me this gift? A. PB. 643. (Modest request.)

Σὺ μὲν κομίζοις ἂν σεαυτόν you may take yourself off. S. AN. 444. (Softened command.)

Oὐκ ἂν μεθείμην τοῦ θρόνου I would not yield the chair (in any case). AR. R. 830. (Determined refusal.)

Πῶς ἂν ὀλοίμᾱν; hοw should I find death? O that I might die! E. AL. 864. (Passiοnate wish.)

Ποῦ δῆτʼ ἂν εἶεν οἱ ξένοι; where may the strangers be? S. EL. 1450. (Polite question, of a present fact.)

Oὗτοι δὲ τάχʼ ἂν μείζω τινὰ σοφίᾱν σοφοὶ εἶεν but these men would be (are perhaρs) wise in some greater wisdom. AP. 20 d. (Assumed uncertainty, of a present fact.)

Bουλοίμην ἂν I should like is a frequent formula, a softened expression of wish.