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- DictionaryWould/wo͝od/
modal
- 1. past of will
- 2. (expressing the conditional mood) indicating the consequence of an imagined event or situation: "he would lose his job if he were identified"
Learn the meaning and usage of the modal verb would in English with Cambridge Dictionary. Find out how to use would for future, intention, possibility, request, willingness, frequency, opinion, advice, reason and probability.
Learn the past tense of will and its various uses as a helping verb to express plan, wish, request, probability, and more. See examples, etymology, and related articles of would.
Learn the meaning and usage of the modal verb would in English with examples and explanations. Find out how to use would for future, intention, possibility, request, willingness, frequency, opinion, advice, reason and probability.
- would you…? used in polite offers or invitations. Would you like a sandwich? Would you have dinner with me on Friday? Questions about grammar and vocabulary?
- 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 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.’).
- 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.
Learn how to use would as a modal verb for requests, conditionals, habitual actions, reported clauses and more. See examples, explanations and contrast with will.
a simple past tense and past participle of will 1. (used to express the future in past sentences): He said he would go tomorrow. (used in place of will, to make a statement or form a question less direct or blunt): That would scarcely be fair.
Learn how to use would as a modal verb in different contexts and meanings. Find examples, synonyms, grammar notes and pronunciation tips for would.
