MODAL: WOULD

We use would mainly to:

- talk about the past

- talk about the future in the past

- express the conditional mood

- Expressing desire

- Polite requests and questions

- Opinion or hope

- Wish and regret

The basic structure for would is:

subject + auxiliary verb would + main verb

Note that:

1. The auxiliary verb would is invariable.

2. There is only one form: would

3. The main verb is usually in the base form (He would go).

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.

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.

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.

- I'd love to live here.

- Would you like some coffee?

- What I'd really like is some tea.

- 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?)

- 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.

- 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.