Would

Express hypothetical situations, polite requests, past habits, and preferences

What is Would?

"Would" is a versatile modal verb with many uses: polite requests, hypothetical situations, past habits, preferences, and future-in-the-past. It's essential for conditionals and polite English.

Compare: "I will go" (certain future) vs. "I would go if..." (hypothetical) vs. "Would you go?" (polite question).

When to Use

1. Polite Requests and Offers

Would you help me, please? (polite request)
Would you like some coffee? (polite offer)
Would you mind closing the window?
I would like a ticket to London, please.
Would it be possible to change my appointment?
Would you pass the salt, please?

2. Hypothetical Situations (Conditionals)

If I had money, I would buy a car. (but I don't have money)
I would help you if I could. (but I can't)
What would you do if you won the lottery?
If I were you, I would apologize.
She would be happier if she changed jobs.
We would travel more if we had time.

3. Past Habits (Used To)

When I was young, I would play outside every day. (repeated past action)
She would always arrive late to class.
We would visit our grandparents every summer.
He would spend hours reading books.
They would go fishing on weekends.

4. Preferences and Willingness

I would rather stay home. (preference)
I would prefer tea over coffee.
She would love to meet you.
We would be happy to help.
I 'd like to make a reservation.

5. Future in the Past (Reported Speech)

Direct: "I will call you." → Reported: She said she would call me.
Direct: "We will arrive at 5." → Reported: They said they would arrive at 5.
I thought it would rain. (past prediction)
He promised he would come.

6. Unwillingness or Refusal (Negative)

The car wouldn't start. (refused to start)
She wouldn't listen to me. (refused)
He wouldn't tell me his name.
The door wouldn't open.

Formation

Positive: Subject + would ('d) + base verb

I would go / I'd go.
You would like it.
She would help us.
We 'd love to come.
They would agree.

Negative: Subject + would not (wouldn't) + base verb

I wouldn't do that.
She wouldn't tell me.
We wouldn't mind.
They wouldn't come.

Question: Would + subject + base verb?

Would you help me?
Would she like coffee?
What would you do?
Where would we go?

Common Mistakes

❌ I would to go. → ✅ I would go. (no "to" after would)
❌ She woulds help. → ✅ She would help. (no -s on modals)
❌ If I have money, I would buy... → ✅ If I had money, I would buy... (past in if-clause)
❌ I would went there. → ✅ I would go there. (base form)
❌ Would you to help me? → ✅ Would you help me?
❌ If I will have time, I would help. → ✅ If I had time, I would help. (no "will" in if-clause)
❌ I would can help. → ✅ I would be able to help. (can't use two modals)
❌ I don't would go. → ✅ I wouldn't go.

Practice Tips

🤝 Politeness: "Would you...?" is more polite than "Can you...?" or "Will you...?" Use it for requests.
💭 If + would: Remember: "If I had/were/did, I would..." (past tense in if-clause, would in main clause). NEVER "If I would..."
⏱️ Past habits: Both "would" and "used to" express past habits, but "would" focuses on repeated actions. Can't use "would" for past states: "I used to live there" (NOT "I would live there").
💬 I'd: "I'd" can mean "I would" OR "I had." Context tells you which: "I'd go" = I would. "I'd gone" = I had.
📝 Would like: "I would like" = "I want" (polite). "I'd like a coffee" is much more polite than "I want a coffee."