Usage of WOULD

WOULD

1. Used as the past form of will when reporting what somebody has said or thought.

v He said he would be here at eight o’clock (= His words were: ‘I will be there at eight o’clock.’).

v She asked if I would help.

v They told me that they probably wouldn’t come.

2. Used for talking about the result of an event that you imagine.

v She’d look better with shorter hair.

v If you went to see him, he would be delighted.

v Hurry up! It would be a shame to miss the beginning of the play.

v She’d be a fool to accept it (= if she accepted).

3. Used for describing a possible action or event that did not in fact happen, because something else did not happen first.

v If I had seen the advertisement in time I would have applied for the job.

v They would never have met if she hadn’t gone to Emma’s party.

4. so that / in order that somebody/ something - used for saying why somebody does something.

v She burned the letters so that her husband would never read them.

5.  wish (that) somebody/ something - used for saying what you want to happen.

v I wish you’d be quiet for a minute.

6. Used to show that somebody/ something was not willing or refused to do something.

v She wouldn’t change it, even though she knew it was wrong.

v My car wouldn’t start this morning.

7. Used to ask somebody politely to do something.

v Would you mind leaving us alone for a few minutes?

v Would you open the door for me, please?

8. Used in polite offers or invitations.

v Would you like a sandwich?

v Would you have dinner with me on Friday?

9. would like, love, hate, prefer, etc. somebody/ something to do something | would rather do somebody/ something did something used to say what you like, love, hate, etc.

v I’d love a coffee.

v I’d be only too glad to help.

v I’d hate you to think I was criticizing you.

v I’d rather come with you.

v I’d rather you came with us.

10. would imagine, say, think, etc. (that) … used to give opinions that you are not certain about.

v I would imagine the job will take about two days.

v I’d say he was about fifty.

11. I would … used to give advice.

v I wouldn’t have any more to drink, if I were you.

12. Used for talking about things that often happened in the past SYN  used to.

v When my parents were away, my grandmother would take care of me.

v He’d always be the first to offer to help.

13. (usually disapproving) used for talking about behaviour that you think is typical.

v ‘She said it was your fault.’ ‘Well, she would say that, wouldn’t she? She’s never liked me.’

14 would that … (literary) used to express a strong wish.

v Would that he had lived to see it.

 

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