Last Update: Jan 03, 2023
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Asked by: Adolf Ernser
Score: 4.9/5
(70 votes)
We often use would (or the contracted form ‘d) in the main clause of a conditional sentence when we talk about imagined situations: If we had left earlier, we would have been able to stop off for a coffee on the way. If we went to Chile, we’d have to go to Argentina as well. I’d love to see both.
Where the word would is used?
would is the past tense form of will. Because it is a past tense, it is used: to talk about the past. to talk about hypotheses (when we imagine something)
Would and used to examples?
Used to and would are both use to describe something that happened regularly in the past but doesn’t happen any longer, as shown in the following two sentences about quitting smoking: I used to smoke, but I quit last year. Whenever I craved a cigarette, I would chew gum instead.
Would and could use?
Could, would, and should are all used to talk about possible events or situations, but each one tells us something different. Could is used to say that an action or event is possible. Would is used to talk about a possible or imagined situation, and is often used when that possible situation is not going to happen.
What is would grammar?
Would is an auxiliary verb — a modal auxiliary verb. We use would mainly to: talk about the past. talk about the future in the past. express the conditional mood.
16 related questions found
Is would be present tense?
Technically, would is the past tense of will, but it is an auxiliary verb that has many uses, some of which even express the present tense.
Can in a sentence examples?
Can sentence example
- Can you watch the house for me while I’m gone? 1204. …
- I can take care of myself. …
- I can do it. …
- You can spend it with a free conscience. …
- Yes, can you believe the luck? …
- I can handle it… now. …
- But you can learn many things from books. …
- You can know everything in the world and still make bad decisions.
Which is correct would be or will be?
‘Will be’ is used in situations of certainty and possibility. ‘Would be’ is used in most imaginary situations. ‘Will be’ is used to describe actions that are still in practice, whereas ‘would be’ is used to talk about habits that once were regular but are no more in practice.
Can we use would for future?
We have this in the past tense, simple past tense and then, in that past tense thought, we have some idea about the future and we use Would to express that idea about the future. Let’s look at some examples of this though. Here, I knew you would help me. … So we can use Would to talk about future but in the past.
When Could is used?
When could is used as the past tense of can, it refers to an ability that a person generally had in the past or to something that was generally possible in the past («When I was younger, I could run for miles,» or «It used to be you could buy lunch for a dollar.»).
What word can I use instead of would?
synonyms for would
- authorize.
- bid.
- decree.
- enjoin.
- exert.
- intend.
- request.
- resolve.
Could usage in English grammar?
«Could» is a modal verb used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests. «Could» is also commonly used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of «can.» Examples: Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city.
What should grammar?
In formal English, should can be used with I or we in conditional clauses, instead of the more common would. This form is usually, but not always, found together with an if clause. I should love to visit Peru if I had the money. I should be very cross if they didn’t give me a certificate.
Could in a sentence 1st grade?
[M] [T] I could swim well even when I was a child. [M] [T] She thought she could get him to like her. [M] [T] She was so angry that she could not speak. … [M] [T] He walked slowly so the child could follow.
What is example of can?
«Can» is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. It can be used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility. Examples: I can ride a horse.
Can a sentence be a question?
The English verb ‘can’ can only be used as an auxiliary verb and not as a main verb, which means that an additional verb always has to be employed in an interrogative sentence (question): “Can I have a coffee?” “Can I see your passport, please?”
What are the examples of present tense?
Examples of Present Tense:
- Rock wants to sing.
- Bill writes the letters.
- Peter is coming to our place.
- Bob has given the book to Allen.
- I am going to the varsity.
- Aric loves to read books.
- Lisa has been living in this area for twenty years.
- The singer is singing nicely.
Is would have correct grammar?
Past modals tell what could have, would have, and should have happened. To form these past modals, use could, would, or should followed by have, followed by a past participle verb. Use have for all pronouns; never use has or had to form a past modal.
Would been Grammar?
The first part of your sentence, «I would have been more satisfied,» belongs to the third conditional. (The third conditional is the way we say that something is contrary to past facts. … So, in your case, the correct sentence would be: «I would have been more satisfied if she had given me cash.»
The word «would» has a few meanings and cases of use in English. Grammatically, «would» is the past form of «will». We do not put «to» before the main verb after «would» and the main verb stays in its infinitive form.
We often shorten «would» to ‘d (I’d, you’d, we’d etc.). Do not confuse the shortened versions of «would» and «had».
1. I would help you, but… — conditionals
«Would» is used in conditional sentences.
When we imagine or think of something which is not real, we use would + infinitive.
When we express regrets about something in the past, we wanted things to go otherwise, but we can’t change that anymore, we use would + have + past participle.
Examples
I would go to the cinema tonight, but I don’t have anyone to go with. (but I still can go if I find a company)
I would have gone to the cinema yesterday, but I didn’t have anyone to go with. (I regret it but I can’t change it)
John would come to the party tomorrow, but he won’t have time. (but he still can come if he has time)
John would have come to the party last week, but he didn’t have time. (he regrets it but he can’t change the past)
Diane would buy a new car, but she doesn’t have enough money. (she can still buy it if she has money)
Diane would have bought a new car last month, but she had to spend all her money on home renovation. (that happened last month so she can’t change that)
2. She said she would come — reported speech
We use «would» as the past of «will» when we need to harmonize tenses in two parts of the sentence, for example, in the reported speech.
Examples
Anne says she will come. → Anne said she would come.
I promise I will write. → He promised he would write.
They are sure they will be on time. → They were sure they would be on time.
3. He wouldn’t listen — refuse
We use «won’t» and its past form «wouldn’t» in the meaning of «not want», «refuse», «be unwilling» to do something.
Examples
I’m trying to talk to him, but he won’t listen. (= he doesn’t want to listen)
I was trying to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen. (= he didn’t want to listen)
— Why are you angry? — The car won’t start. (= it «refuses» to start)
He was angry because his car wouldn’t start. (= it «refused» to start)
4. Would, used to — habits in the past
We use «would» as an analogue of «used to» when we speak about regular actions and habits in the past.
Examples
When I was younger, I would drink five cups of coffee a day. (= I used to drink…)
Do you remember? When we were kids, we would run through the field, climb the hill and hide under the big oak tree. (= we used to run…)
Pay attention!
In the examples above, we can either say «would» or «used to». But we can only say «used to» when we talk about states in the past and not physical actions.
For example
When Fred was a student, he used to have a beard. WRONG … would have a beard, because it isn’t a regular action
When we were children, we used to live in the countryside. WRONG … would live, because it isn’t a regular action
5. Would you please, I would like, would you mind — polite request and set phrases
We use «would» to make a polite request. It is also possible to use «could» (could you please…?) in the same manner.
Examples
Would you please help me?
Would you close the window, please?
Would you carry this bag, please?
«Would» is a part of some polite set phrases, like:
- I would like, would you like
- I would rather (do something)
- Would you mind (doing something)
Would is an auxiliary verb — a modal auxiliary verb. We use would mainly to:
- talk about the past
- talk about the future in the past
- express the conditional mood
We also use would for other functions, such as:
- expressing desire, polite requests and questions, opinion or hope, wish and regret
Structure of would
The basic structure for would is:
| subject | + | auxiliary verb would |
+ | main verb |
Note that:
- The auxiliary verb would is invariable. There is only one form: would
- The main verb is usually in the base form (He would go).
Look at the basic structure again, with positive, negative and question sentences:
| subject | auxiliary would |
not | main verb base |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| + | I | would | like | tea. | |
| — | She | would | not | go. | |
| ? | Would | you | help? |
Note that the main verb is sometimes in the form:
- have + past participle (He would have gone)
- be + -ing (He would be going)
The main verb cannot be the to-infinitive. We cannot say: He would to like coffee.
Be careful! Note that would and had have the same short form ‘d:
He’d finished = He had finished
He’d like coffee = He would like coffee
Use of would
would for the past
We often use would as a kind of past tense of will or going to:
- Even as a boy, he knew that he would succeed in life.
- I thought it would rain so I brought my umbrella.
Using would as as a kind of past tense of will or going to is common in reported speech:
- She said that she would buy some eggs. («I will buy some eggs.»)
- The candidate said that he wouldn’t increase taxes. («I won’t increase taxes.»)
- Why didn’t you bring your umbrella? I told you it would rain! («It’s going to rain.»)
We often use would not to talk about past refusals:
- He wanted a divorce but his wife would not agree.
- Yesterday morning, the car wouldn’t start.
We sometimes use would (rather like used to) when talking about habitual past behaviour:
- Every weekday my father would come home from work at 6pm and watch TV.
- Every summer we’d go to the seaside.
- Sometimes she’d phone me in the middle of the night.
- We would always argue. We could never agree.
would for the future in past
When talking about the past we can use would to express something that has not happened at the time we are talking about:
- In London she met the man that she would one day marry.
- He left 5 minutes late, unaware that the delay would save his life.
would for conditionals
We often use would to express the so-called second and third conditionals:
- If he lost his job he would have no money.
- If I had won the lottery I would have bought a car.
Using the same conditional structure, we often use would when giving advice:
- I wouldn’t eat that if I were you.
- If I were in your place I’d refuse.
- If you asked me I would say you should go.
Sometimes the condition is «understood» and there does not have to be an «if» clause:
- Someone who liked John would probably love John’s father. (If someone liked John they would probably love John’s father.)
- You’d never know it. (for example: If you met him you would never know that he was rich.)
- Why don’t you invite Mary? I’m sure she’d come.
Although there is always a main verb, sometimes it is understood (not stated) as in:
- I’d like to stay. | I wish you would. (would stay)
- Do you think he’d come? | I’m sure he would. (would come)
- Who would help us? | John would. (would help us)
would for desire or inclination
- I’d love to live here.
- Would you like some coffee?
- What I’d really like is some tea.
would for polite requests and questions
- Would you open the door, please? (more polite than: Open the door, please.)
- Would you go with me? (more polite than: Will you go with me?)
- Would you know the answer? (more polite than: Do you know the answer?)
- What would the capital of Nigeria be? (more polite than: What is the capital of Nigeria?)
would for opinion or hope
- I would imagine that they’ll buy a new one.
- I suppose some people would call it torture.
- I would have to agree.
- I would expect him to come.
- Since you ask me I’d say the blue one is best.
would for wish
- I wish you would stay. (I really want you to stay. I hope you will stay.)
- They don’t like me. I’m sure they wish I’d resign.
Note that all of these uses of would express some kind of distance or remoteness:
- remoteness in time (past time)
- remoteness of possibility or probability
- remoteness between speakers (formality, politeness)
would for presumption or expectation
- That would be Jo calling. I’ll answer it.
- We saw a police helicopter overhead yesterday morning. | Really? They would have been looking for those bank robbers.
would for uncertainty
- He would seem to be getting better. (less certain than: He seems to be getting better.)
- It would appear that I was wrong. (less certain than: It appears that I was wrong.)
would for derogatory comment
- They would say that, wouldn’t they?
- John said he didn’t steal the money. | Well, he would, wouldn’t he?
would that for regret (poetic/rare)
This rare, poetic or literary use of would does not have the normal structure:
- Would that it were true! (If only it were true! We wish that it were true!)
- Would that his mother had lived to see him become president.
Глагол will (would — в прошедшем времени) — является одним из самых употребительных глаголов в английском языке и служит в большинстве случаев для построения форм будущего времени.
Глагол will имеет только две формы: will и would. Обе формы не являются смысловыми глаголами, то есть сами по себе не обозначают какое-то действие, а поэтому вне контекста не переводятся.
Читайте также:
- Глагол в английском языке — общие сведения.
- Все времена глагола в таблицах.
Содержание:
- Вспомогательный глаголы will (would).
- Модальный глагол will (would).
- Will и Shall.
- Will или Going to?
Глагол will может использоваться как вспомогательный и модальный.
В качестве вспомогательного, глагол will/would нужен в двух случаях: для построения будущего времени и условных предложений. Глагол выполняет чисто техническую, вспомогательную функцию построения грамматической конструкции, не добавляя в предложение особого смысла или эмоционального оттенка.
1. Образование будущего времени
Вспомогательный глагол will используется для образования будущего форм времени всех видовременных форм глагола, самый простой пример — Future Simple, простое будущее время. Will ставится перед смысловым глаголом, который в простом будущем времени используется в начальной форме, без окончаний.
He will move to the capital. — Он скоро переедет в столицу.
I will come to see you tomorrow. — Я приду навестить тебя завтра.
Глагол would используется для образования формы «будущее в прошедшем» (Future in the Past).
He said that he would move to the capital soon. — Он сказал, что скоро переедет в столицу.
I said that I would come to see you. — Я сказал, что приду навестить тебя.
2. Образование условных предложений
Подробнее об условных предложениях читайте здесь: https://langformula.ru/english-grammar/conditional.
Глагол will используется в условных предложениях первого типа:
If I find the phone number, I will call him. — Если найду номер телефона, я ему позвоню.
If you help me, I will not forget it. — Если ты поможешь мне, я не забуду этого.
Глагол would нужен для построения форм сослагательного наклонения в условных предложениях второго и третьего типа:
If I were you, I would think twice. — Я бы на твоем месте подумал дважды. (второй тип)
If you had betrayed me, I would have not forgiven you. — Если бы ты меня предал, я бы не простил тебя. (третий тип)
Модальный глагол WILL
В отличие от вспомогательного, модальный глагол will добавляет к высказыванию отношение говорящего к действию. Иначе говоря, здесь речь идет не просто о будущем времени, а о придаче выражению эмоциональной окраски.
1. Решимость, уверенность в совершении действия.
I will take what is mine. — Я заберу то, что принадлежит мне.
I will not surrender. — Я не сдамся.
2. Уверенность в совершении действия другим лицом, угроза.
You will release the prisoners. — Вы отпустите пленников.
You will accept our offer. — Вы примите наше предложение.
They will give us what we want. — Они отдадут нам то, что мы хотим.
3. Вежливая просьба или вопрос, просьба в вопросительной форме.
Will you write your name here? — Не могли бы вы написать ваше имя здесь?
Will you give me a hand? — Не мог бы ты мне помочь?
Will you marry me? — Ты выйдешь за меня замуж?
Вопросы можно задать и с would — они будут звучать мягче, вежливее и с меньшей уверенностью.
Would you help me with my car? — Ты не мог бы помочь мне с моей машиной?
4. В отрицательных предложениях — упорство в совершении действия.
This man will not stop. — Этот человек все никак не остановится.
The window will not open. — Окно все никак не откроется.
5. Упорное нежелание чего-то делать в прошлом
Это значение присуще только прошедшему времени, поэтому используется would.
I told you you not to take my car but you wouldn’t listen! — Я же говорил тебе не брать мою машину, но ты же не слушал!
Why she had to go? I don’t know, she wouldn’t say. — Почему она должна была уйти? Я не знаю, она бы ни за что не сказала.
6. Повторяющееся действие в прошлом (с глаголом would)
В таких выражениях часто присутствует оттенок ностальгии.
That old actor would sit and rewatch his old movies for hours. — Этот старый актер частенько сидел и пересматривал свои старые фильмы часами.
Will и Shall
В старых учебниках английского можно прочитать, что наряду с глаголом will в качестве вспомогательного (не путать с модальным) для образования форм будущего времени в 1-ом лице единственного и множественного числа используется shall.
I shall go. — Я пойду.
We shall go. — Мы пойдем.
В современном английском языке shall как вспомогательный уже практически не используется, можно смело говорить I will go, We will go.
Однако shall используется как модальный глагол, то есть для выражения отношения говорящего к действию. Вот примеры таких случаев:
1. Вопрос с целью получить инструкцию, распоряжение (в предложениях от первого лица):
Shall I bring you water? — Мне принести тебе воды?
Shall I go? — Я пошел?
Shall I call you the manager? — Позвать вам менеджера?
2. Угроза, обещание (обращение ко второму, третьему лицу)
This is the last warning. You shall bring me the money. — Это последнее предупреждение. Ты принесешь мне деньги.
I’m fired. My boss shall regret his decision. — Я уволен. Мой босс пожалеет о своем решении.
3. Долженствование, обязательство выполнить действие (как правило, в официальных документах, договорах)
The contractor shall provide them with housing. — Подрядчик обязан обеспечить их жильем.
Примечание: У глагола shall тоже есть форма прошедшего времени — should, подробнее об употреблении should в качестве модального глагола написано в статье «Модальные глаголы в английском языке.»
Will или Going to?
Намерение совершить действие в будущем можно выразить не только с помощью will, но и используя оборот to be going to. В употреблении этих двух способов много тонких нюансов, зависящих от ситуации, контекста, интонации. Но наиболее общее правило такое:
- will — выражение уверенности в совершении действия, что-то вроде «я СДЕЛАЮ это», «это ПРОИЗОЙДЕТ».
- to be going to — запланированное, предполагаемое действие, обычно в ближайшем будущем, что-то вроде «я СОБИРАЮСЬ сделать это».
I will tell my girlfriend the truth tonight. — Сегодня вечером я СКАЖУ своей девушке всю правду.
I am goint to tell my girlfriend the truth tonight. — Сегодня вечером я собираюсь рассказать своей девушке всю правду.
Другие случаи использования will и to be going to:
| Will | To be going to |
| Решение совершить действие в будущем принято в момент речи: | Решение совершить действие в будущем принято до момента речи (запланировано): |
|---|---|
| — There’s no milk. — Молоко закончилось. — Really? I’ll go and get some. — Правда? Тогда я пойду куплю. |
— There’s no milk. — Молоко закончилось. — I know. I’m going to go and get some when this TV show finishes. — А я знаю. Я пойду куплю молока, когда передача закончится. |
| Предсказание будущих событий, основанное на мнении: | Предсказание будущих событий, основанное на том, что в настоящем есть что-то указывающее на эти события: |
| — I think the cop will spot us. — Я думаю, коп нас заметит. | — The cop has got a flashlight! He is going to spot us. — У копа фонарик! Он нас заметит. |
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Asked by: Luz Gulgowski
Score: 4.3/5
(75 votes)
In linguistics, a word of a spoken language can be defined as the smallest sequence of phonemes that can be uttered in isolation with objective or practical meaning.
What is the meaning of wouldn?
contraction of would not:I wouldn’t ask her.
What kind of a word is would?
Would is an auxiliary verb — a modal auxiliary verb. We use would mainly to: talk about the past. talk about the future in the past.
How do you use would in a sentence?
We often use would (or the contracted form ‘d) in the main clause of a conditional sentence when we talk about imagined situations: If we had left earlier, we would have been able to stop off for a coffee on the way. If we went to Chile, we’d have to go to Argentina as well. I’d love to see both.
What is the meaning of would in grammar?
would is the past tense form of will. Because it is a past tense, it is used: to talk about the past. to talk about hypotheses (when we imagine something) for politeness.
15 related questions found
Is would a permission modal?
We use the modal verbs can, could and would to offer to do things for people or to invite them to do something. We also use them to make requests or ask permission to do something.
What you mean by would be?
: desiring, intending, professing, or having the potential to be a would-be actor.
What word can I use instead of would?
synonyms for would
- authorize.
- bid.
- decree.
- enjoin.
- exert.
- intend.
- request.
- resolve.
When to use would be and could be?
Could is used to say that an action or event is possible. Would is used to talk about a possible or imagined situation, and is often used when that possible situation is not going to happen.
Would meaning with examples?
Would is used to indicate what could potentially happen in the future or when giving advice or when making a request. An example of would is when you might get a good grade if you study. An example of would is when you ask someone to pass the carrots.
Would you define?
—used as a polite way of asking someone for a favor.
What is the function of would?
Definition. The modal auxiliary verb would has a variety of functions and uses. It is used in place of will for things that happened or began in the past, and, like shall, it is sometimes used in place of will to create more formal or polite sentences.
What is the meaning of I would not?
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English would nota) 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.
Where do we use would not?
wouldn’t = would not is used when we talk in the past about something in the negative about future, for example, he said he wouldn’t lend me any money, I promised I wouldn’t smoke any more, I assured my mother I wouldn’t waste my time, etc. Won’t and wouldn’t are also used in question tags.
Would not like to meaning?
Normally you would say something like «I would prefer not to…» or «I don’t want to…» or «I don’t wish to…» or «I would not like to…» «I would like not to…» is less common and it may suggest that you are rephrasing someone else’s question to emphasize the «not.» Example: A: «I’m tired and I don’t think I’m …
What is the meaning of would have?
When you see «would have» in a sentence it means that the action didn’t actually happen, because something else didn’t happen first. Here are some examples (the main verb is bold): — If I had received the money, I would have given it to you. (Meaning: I didn’t receive the money, so I didn’t give it to you.)
Would Is it past tense?
Technically, would is the past tense of will, but it is an auxiliary verb that has many uses, some of which even express the present tense.
Would be meaning in marriage?
Would be is a phrase or term that is commonly used in India where a man or woman who has got engaged and is about to be married is referred to as a would be husband or would be wife of his or her spouse.
Would be something meaning?
To be particularly noteworthy, remarkable, interesting, special, or impressive. Wow, this new car of yours is really something! A: «I hope we get a chance to meet the band after the concert.» B: «Yeah, now that would be really something!» See also: something.
How it would be meaning?
—used to ask someone if something is acceptable How would it be if he sent you a check?
Would been Grammar?
The first part of your sentence, «I would have been more satisfied,» belongs to the third conditional. (The third conditional is the way we say that something is contrary to past facts. … So, in your case, the correct sentence would be: «I would have been more satisfied if she had given me cash.»
Would usage in past?
We can use would to talk about repeated past actions that don’t happen any more. Every Saturday I would go on a long bike ride. My dad would read me amazing stories every night at bedtime. would for past habits is slightly more formal than used to.
Can we use would for future?
We have this in the past tense, simple past tense and then, in that past tense thought, we have some idea about the future and we use Would to express that idea about the future. Let’s look at some examples of this though. Here, I knew you would help me. … So we can use Would to talk about future but in the past.