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You are here: Home / Learning / Using would

Using would

June 29, 2015 - pdf

Would is a modal auxiliary verb. It is used as the past tense of ‘will’ in indirect speech.

  • Direct: He said to me, ‘I will do my job conscientiously.
  • Indirect speech: He told me that he would do his job conscientiously.
  • Direct speech: She said, ‘I will come.’
  • Indirect speech: She said that she would come.

The expression ‘would rather’ is used to show preference for one of two options.

  • They would rather die than submit.
  • He would rather starve than beg.

Would can also be used to express past habits.

  • She would not listen to anybody.
  • He would spend hours talking to himself.

Would can make a request more polite.

  • Would you allow me to use your computer?

Would you mind if I opened the window?

Would is often used to make invitations more polite.

  • Would you have dinner with us tonight?
  • Would you attend the inauguration ceremony of our new showroom?

Would can express willingness or intention

  • I would go there if you want me to do that.

Would can express determination.

  • I would stand by you through thick and thin.

Would is used in conditional clauses to talk about imaginary or unreal situations.

  • If he worked hard, he would pass.
  • If he had not misbehaved in the class, the teacher would not have punished him.
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