would S1 W1 /wʊd/ BrE AmE modal verb ( negative short form wouldn’t )
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: wolde ]
1 . PAST INTENTIONS/EXPECTATIONS used to say what someone intended to do or expected to happen:
They said they would meet us at 10.30 at the station.
She said she wouldn’t be coming to the library any more.
Arnold knew he would be tired the next day.
It would soon be dark.
2 . IMAGINED SITUATIONS
a) used when talking about the result of a possible or imagined situation or event, or describing one:
What would you do if you won a million pounds?
I would be amazed if I got the job.
It would be lovely to see you.
b) used when talking about something that did not happen, or a situation that cannot exist:
I would have phoned you, but there wasn’t time.
Alex would never have found out if you hadn’t told him.
What would have happened if I hadn’t been here?
Everything would be very different if your father were still alive.
c) used to mention an unlikely situation or event that you want to happen:
I wish they would come and visit us.
If only he would listen to me.
GRAMMAR
Use the past tense, not would , in a clause beginning with 'if' when mentioning a possible or imagined situation or event in the present or future:
▪
I would be surprised if he did not agree with me (NOT if he would not agree with me).
3 . PAST HABITS used to say that something happened often or regularly in the past:
When we worked in the same office, we would often have coffee together.
On summer evenings they would sit out in the garden.
4 . REQUESTING spoken used to ask someone politely to do something:
Would you shut the window, please?
Would you mind waiting outside?
Would someone please tell me what is going on?
5 . OFFERING/INVITING spoken used to offer something to someone or invite them somewhere politely:
Would you like a coffee?
We’re going to the theatre this evening. Would you be interested in coming?
6 . WHAT SOMEBODY WANTS spoken used to say that someone wants something or wants to do something
would like/love/prefer
Yes, please, I’d love a coffee.
My parents would like to meet you.
Claudia would have liked to refuse (=wanted to refuse) , but she didn’t dare.
I’d hate (=I do not want) to disappoint you.
would rather/sooner (=used to say what someone prefers)
I’d rather stay in this evening, if that’s all right with you.
7 . PAST PURPOSE used after ‘so that’ to show that someone was trying to make something happen or prevent something:
We packed all the books in wooden boxes so that they wouldn’t get damaged.
8 . would not
a) used to say that someone refused to do something:
He wouldn’t give us any money.
b) used to say that something did not happen, even though someone was trying to make it happen:
The door wouldn’t open, no matter how hard she pushed.
9 . ADVICE spoken used when giving or asking for advice:
I’d try to get there early if you can.
I would talk to the doctor if I were you.
What would you do if you were in my position?
10 . I would think/imagine/say spoken used to give your opinion about something when you are not very sure about it:
I would think you’d be happier in a different school.
‘Will it cost a lot?’ ‘I would imagine so.’
11 . TYPICAL BEHAVIOUR spoken used to say that an action is typical or expected – usually used to show disapproval:
You would go and spoil it, wouldn’t you!
She insists that she did nothing wrong, but then she would say that, wouldn’t she?
12 . would that ... literary used to express a strong wish or desire SYN if only :
Would that we had seen her before she died.