Unit 32: WOULD

Would is a modal verb. Unit 27 shows you how to make correct sentences with it. This unit shows you when to use it. Notice that -'d is the short form.

Imaginary situations

PRESENT AND FUTURE

EXAMPLES:
If you hadn't stolen that money, I wouldn't be firing you now.
(But you did steal, so I am firing you now.)
I think your coworkers would find the circumstances very interesting.

ADVICE

EXAMPLES:
What would you do in my place?
If I were you, I'd take a long holiday.

NOTICE: ALSO must and should (Unit 33)

PAST TIME

EXAMPLES:
They wouldn't have lost as many profits if John had been working for them.
(But he wasn't working.)
If I'd known you were coming, I would have stayed longer.
(But I didn't know, so I left.)

Would + like

ASKING

EXAMPLE:
I'd like some information, please.
want, but it is more polite

OFFERS AND INVITATIONS

EXAMPLES:
Would you like a smaller size?
Would you like to try something on?

NOTICE: ALSO can (Unit 28) will (Unit 31)

Polite commands

EXAMPLE:
Would you wait here until the next assistant is ready, please, sir?

Past tense of will

REFUSAL

EXAMPLE:
My debit machine wouldn't work this morning. (Unit 31)

We use would (NOT will) in sentences with a past-tense verb before the modal (Unit 63).

EXAMPLES:
He asked me if I would work tomorrow for him. (Unit 31)
I thought I would take an extra shift this weekend. (Unit 31)
They said she would be working too. (Unit 31)