would

modal verb

strong form /wʊd/, weak form /wəd/, /əd/

Verb Forms

would not
wouldn't	/ˈwʊdnt/ /ˈwʊdnt/

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would you…? 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.
- would rather do something I'd rather come with you.
- would rather somebody did something I'd rather you came with us.
Topics Preferences and decisionsa1
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintyb2, Opinion and argumentb2
I would…
used to give advice
- I wouldn't have any more to drink, if I were you.
Topics Suggestions and adviceb2
would do something used for talking about things that often happened in the past synonym used to
- When my parents were away, my grandmother would take care of me.
- He'd always be the first to offer to help.
(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.’
would that… (literary) used to express a strong wish
- Would that he had lived to see it.
Grammar Point modal verbs
modal verbs
- The modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, ought to, shall, should, will and would. Dare, need, have to and used to also share some of the features of modal verbs.
- Modal verbs have only one form. They have no -ing or -ed forms and do not add -s to the 3rd person singular form:
  He can speak three languages.
  She will try and visit tomorrow.
- Modal verbs are followed by the infinitive of another verb without to. The exceptions are ought to, have to and used to:
  You must find a job.
  You ought to stop smoking.
  I used to smoke but I gave up two years ago.
- Questions are formed without do/does in the present, or did in the past:
  Can I invite Mary?
  Should I have invited Mary?
- Negative sentences are formed with not or the short form -n’t and do not use do/does or did.
You will find more help with how to use modal verbs at the dictionary entries for each verb.
Grammar Point should / would
should / would
- In modern English, the traditional difference between should and would in reported sentences, conditions, requests, etc. has disappeared and should is not used very much at all. In spoken English the short form ’d is usually used:
  I said I’d (I would) be late.
  He’d (he would) have liked to have been an actor.
  I’d (I would) really prefer tea.
- The main use of should now is to tell somebody what they ought to do, to give advice, or to add emphasis:
  We should really go and visit them soon.
  You should have seen it!

Word OriginOld English wolde, past of wyllan, of Germanic origin.