Would

Pronunciation

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stressed

• Template:UK Template:US Template:AU Template:IPA
• Template:Audio

unstressed

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Verb

Simple present will

Simple past would

Negative wouldn't

Contraction 'd

1. Template:Modal Would is used to show your past plan or decision.

   He said he would be seeing Mr Moi in Bonn on Monday.

2. Template:Modal Would is used to show that in the past you expected something to happen.

   It would soon be time to go home, but I didn't want to leave.

   It looked like it would rain soon.

3. Template:Modal Would is used to show that something happened regularly in the past but not now.

   Every summer we would go to the lake for a few weeks.

   When I was in Ottawa, the snow would be so deep you couldn't walk.

4. Template:Modal Would is used to talk about unreal, unlikely, or conditional situations.

   You wouldn't like it if you had to see it every day.

   If I could choose I would go to bed at about two o'clock in the morning.

   I think if he wanted you he would have come to you, don't you?

   "$Y$ equals $5x$. If $x$ equals two, what would $Y$ be?" "$Y$ would be ten."

5. Template:Modal Would is used to ask politely for something.

   Would you please explain that to me?

   Would you mind if I had a party while you were away?

6. Template:Modal Would is used to offer something politely.

   Would you like to go out for lunch then?

   Would you have some bread?

7. Template:Modal Would is used to give advice.

   I would go back and talk to him about it.

8. Template:Modal Would is used to show that something is typical, usually when you are unhappy about it. In this case, it's always stressed.

   He would come just when we were leaving.

Related words

• woulda
• would-be
• would rather