Page 133 - DENG102_COMMUNICATION_SKILLS_II

Communication Skills-II

notes 9.4.2 Would

Would is a very flexible modal verb and has many uses.
In Grammar definitions would is briefly mentioned under conditionals and reported speech.
1. Conditionals: Would is used in a number of different forms of the conditional:

2nd conditional

Example: If I went to China, I would visit the Great Wall.
3rd conditional

Example: If she had studied harder, she would have passed her exams.
Mixed conditional

Example: If he hadn’t missed the bus, he would be here now.

2. Reported (Indirect) Speech: In indirect speech ‘will’ is reported as would:

Example: 1. I will be there! She said she would be there.
2. I won’t be able to come with you on Saturday. He said he wouldn’t be able
to come with us on Saturday.
3. Will you do me a favour? She asked if I would do her a favour.

3. Requests and Offers: You can use would to ask people to do things:

Example: 1. Would you do me a favour?
2. Would you mind opening the window?
3. To offer or invite you can use Would you like …?
4. Would you like me to get you something while I’m at the shop?
5. Would you like to come with me to the cinema?
4. Future in the Past: This structure is used to “express the idea that in the past you thought
something would happen in the future.”

Example: 1. When she was a teenager she knew she would be rich and famous.
2. It was at that moment that I knew they would win the game.

5. Common Expressions: Would + like:
This structure is used to talk about things that we want or don’t want to do:

Example: 1. Yes, I would like to go with you.
2. I would not like to be outside now.
6. Would rather: This structure is used to express preferences:

Example: 1. What would you rather do: go to the cinema or stay at home for the evening?
2. I’d rather be poor and happy than rich and sad.

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