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Would
Would is a
modal verb expressing some kind of imaginary
or hypothetical situation. Would is often
contracted to 'd, for example
- I would love to learn Spanish.
- I'd love to learn Spanish.
Offers and Requests
Would is used to make offers and show
willingness. For example:
- Would you like a cookie with your coffee?
- Would you like to go out this evening?
- Would you like some help?
Would can
also be used to make requests.
- Would you open the door for me?
This has a slightly commanding tone, perhaps
like a teacher to a student. Could is
less assertive.
- Could you open the door please?
Hypothetical Situations
Would is used
to show hypothetical situations. For example:
- I would love to go abroad. (But I'm
not abroad now.)
- You would be a great lawyer. (You're
not a lawyer now - being a lawyer is an imaginary
situation)
Would is often
used in the main clause of conditional statements.
- If I had time, I would visit my family.
- I'd go to the beach if it was sunny.
For more information
see the units on Conditionals.
Will -
Past form
Would is used
as the past form of will, it's used for
future predictions made in the past. For example:
- He'll call you tomorrow. (A future
prediction made now.)
- He said he'd call you tomorrow. (A
prediction made in the past)
- They'll arrive at 7.00. (prediction
made now)
- They told me they would arrive at 7.00.
(prediction made in the past)
Past Habit
Would can
be used for a past habit, an action that happened
regularly in the past. For example:
- I would often play soccer when I was
young.
- My grandfather would always give us
candy.
Note that would
cannot be used for a past state, for example:
- "He would be handsome when he
was younger." Incorrect
- "He was handsome when he was younger."
Correct
Would is used only for past habits -
something that happened many times.
For past states you
can use "used to":
- He used to be handsome when he was younger.
For more information see the Unit on "Used
to".
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