📒 used in polite offers or invitations
- Would you like a sandwich?
- Would you have dinner with me on Friday?
📒 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.
📒 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.
📒 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.
📒 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.
📒 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.
📒 used for saying what you want to happen
- I wish that you'd be quiet for a minute.
📒 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.
📒 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?
📒 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.
📒 used to give advice
- I wouldn't have any more to drink, if I were you.
📒 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.
📒 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.’
📒 used to express a strong wish
- Would that he had lived to see it.
- He can speak three languages.
- She will try and visit tomorrow.