Would it is a modal verb which transforms the meaning of the main verb. Its central function is to indicate possibilities, hypothetical situations. Thus, it can also cover requests and conditional sentences. Additionally, it includes habitual actions in the past, talking about the hypothetical future of a past moment, indirect speech, indicating preference, indicating intention, and demonstrating choice or doubt.
Its formation is quite simple and takes place by associating would to the verb in the base form, excluding the element I'm. Furthermore, it can be associated with the verbs rather It is prefer.
Read too: Verb tenses — verb tenses in English
Topics in this article
- 1 - What is the modal verb would for?
- 2 - Differences between will and would
- 3 - When to use would?
- 4 - How to use would?
- 5 - Difference between would rather, would prefer and prefer
- 6 - Solved exercises on would
What is the modal verb for? would?
A modal verb transforms the meaning of a main verb. The modal verb wouldIts main function is to indicate the possibility, hypothetical situations.
This is not its only function, but it is the most common. It is also used for requests, conditional sentences, habitual actions in the past, talking about the future hypothetical of a past moment, indirect speech, indicate preference, indicate intention and demonstrate choice or doubt.
Differences between will It is would
Technically, would is the past form of the verb will. However, in its role as an auxiliary verb, it ends up presenting itself in a much broader way, as we will see below.
But first, let's remember that will indicates security regarding something that will happen in the future, having an equivalence with our future in the present indicative. Already would brings several possibilities for equivalence.
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When to use would?
Hypothesis
I would go there if my mom let me.
I would go there if my mother would let me go.
Order
Would you lend me your eraser?
Would you lend me your eraser?
Conditional sentences
I would have won if the kids wouldn't get in the way.
I would have won if the kids hadn't gotten in the way.
Habitual action in the past
She would come to my house every day.
She came to my house every day.
Talk about the hypothetical future of a past moment
When I was a kid, I believed I would be a teacher.
When I was a child, I believed I would be a teacher.
Indirect speech
She said she would surely eat.
She said she would certainly come.
Indicate preference
I would rather eat the steak than the chicken.
I would rather eat the steak than the chicken.
Read too: Going to — talking about the future in English
How to use would?
The use of would It's simple. Its formation takes place using the verb in the base form, eliminating the I'm.
I love [verb in base form]
Love
I would love I'm going to Machu Picchu.
The abbreviated affirmative form is ’d.
To dream [verb in base form]
To dream
They’d dream everyday about their house.
They dreamed all day about their house.
The negative form is would not or, for short, would not. The abbreviated form is used more frequently, with the first being seen as more formal.
I'm going [verb in base form]
Go
I would not go there if I were you.
I wouldn't go there if I were you.
As usual, the question involves an inversion in the English language in relation to the statement. So, if we have the affirmative:
She would watch TV all the time.
She would watch TV all the time.
We have the following question:
Would she watch TV all the time?
Would she watch TV all the time?
And in the negative form:
Wouldn’t she watch TV all the time?
Wouldn't she watch TV all the time?
Difference between would rather, would prefer It is prefer
Prefer It is rather similarly indicate preference. When we use these terms with would, We do this in a specific way, giving a comparative emphasis with another element. See examples and possible translations.
I’d rather go to the party than to the movies.
I would rather go to a party than to the cinema.
I’d prefer to be with mom rather than with dad today.
I would rather be with my mother than my father today.
note that prefer requires the preposition I'm posteriorly. It is also required to use rather than or of instead of in comparison.
I'd rather live here than elsewhere.
I would rather live here than anywhere else.
I'd prefer to chill rather than to argue this now.
I would rather relax than discuss this now.
I'd prefer to chill instead of arguing this now.
I would rather relax than discuss this now.
Note that after instead of, the verb must be used with -ing.
What about the use of prefer? It is used when dealing with a generic preference and when dealing with present and future situations. It can also be used for comparisons.
I prefer not to go.
I prefer not to go.
I prefer juice to beer.
I prefer beer to juice.
It should be noted that when using prefer For a comparison, it is necessary to use the term I'm as a linking word.
I prefer going to the movies to going to parties.
I prefer going to the cinema than going to parties.
Exercises solved on would
Question 1
In the sentence: Would you lend me your shirt?, What is the meaning assumed by the modal verb? would?
A) Hypothesis
B) Action in the past
C) Order
D) Indicate preference
Resolution:
Letter C
The translation of the sentence is: “Would you lend me your shirt?” Therefore, we do not have a hypothesis or an action in the past. We eliminate the letters A and B. Is it a request or an indication of preference? It's clearly a request. Therefore, the correct answer is the letter C, with D being wrong.
Question 2
The situation above shows a person drinking juice. Imagining a sentence she might say when offered soda, which sentence correctly establishes a specific comparison?
A) I would prefer juice rather than soda.
B) I would prefer juice than soda.
C) I would rather juice.
D) I prefer juice.
Resolution:
Letter a
We can eliminate the letters C and D, since there is no specification of the terms of comparison. Now, noting the letter A and B, the second one uses would prefer with than. However, it is necessary to use rather than. The correct answer, therefore, is the letter A.
By Beta Maria Xavier Reis
English teacher
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
REIS, Beta Maria Xavier. "How to use the verb would in English"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/ingles/como-usar-o-verbo-would-em-ingles.htm. Accessed September 10, 2023.
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