would
would
strong form /wʊd/, weak form /wəd/, /əd/
1 would you…? used in polite offers or invitations
Would you like a sandwich?
Would you have dinner with me on Friday?
2 used to say what you like, love, hate, etc.
would like, love, hate, prefer, etc. something I'd love a coffee.
would like, etc. to do something I'd be only too glad to help.
would like, etc. somebody to do something I'd hate you to think I was criticizing you.
would rather do something I'd rather come with you.
would rather somebody did something I'd rather you came with us.
e.g.
3 would do something used as the past form of will when reporting what somebody has said or thought
He said he would be here at eight o'clock (= His words were: ‘I will be there at eight o'clock.’).
She asked if I would help.
They told me that they probably wouldn't come.
4 would do something used for talking about the result of an event that you imagine
She'd look better with shorter hair.
If you went to see him, he would be delighted.
Hurry up! It would be a shame to miss the beginning of the play.
She'd be a fool to accept it (= if she accepted).
5 would have done something used for describing a possible action or event that did not in fact happen, because something else did not happen first
If I had seen the advertisement in time, I would have applied for the job.
They would never have met if she hadn't gone to Emma's party.
6 used for saying why somebody does something
so that somebody/something would do something She burned the letters so that her husband would never read them.
in order that somebody/something would do something He worked hard in order that he would pass all his exams.
7 wish (that) somebody/something would do something used for saying what you want to happen
I wish that you'd be quiet for a minute.
8 would not do something used to show that somebody/something was not willing or refused to do something
She wouldn't change it, even though she knew it was wrong.
My car wouldn't start this morning.
9 would you…? used to ask somebody politely to do something
Would you mind leaving us alone for a few minutes?
Would you open the door for me, please?
10 would imagine, say, think, etc. (that)… used to give opinions that you are not certain about
I would imagine the job will take about two days.
I'd say he was about fifty.
11 I would… used to give advice
I wouldn't have any more to drink, if I were you.
12 would do something used for talking about things that often happened in the past
When my parents were away, my grandmother would take care of me.
He'd always be the first to offer to help.
13 (usually disapproving) used for talking about behaviour that you think is typical
‘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
Would that he had lived to see it.
Word Origin
e,g,