Search results for 'would':

would auxiliary verb, used: 1 in reported speech, as the past tense of will¹ • said she would leave at 10. 2 to indicate willingness, readiness, or ability • was asked to help, but wouldn't • The radio just would not work. 3 to express probability • They would surely have heard. 4 to indicate habitual action • would always telephone at six. 5 to imply that some happening is predictable or unsurprising • 'She refused, but I suppose she would.' 6 to suggest obstinate resistance to advice • He would have his own way. 7 to express frustration at some happening • It would rain, just as we're setting out. 8 to express the probable outcome of a particular condition • In your place, I would have told her. 9 to make polite invitations, offers or requests • Would you ring her back? 10 to express a desire • I wish she would stop talking. 11 in politely expressing and seeking opinions • I would suggest • Would you not agree? would that ... old use if only ... • Would that I were twenty again. See also should.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon wolde, past tense of wyllan.

would auxiliary verb, used: 1 in reported speech, as the past tense of will¹ • said she would leave at 10. 2 to indicate willingness, readiness, or ability • was asked to help, but wouldn't • The radio just would not work. 3 to express probability • They would surely have heard. 4 to indicate habitual action • would always telephone at six. 5 to imply that some happening is predictable or unsurprising • 'She refused, but I suppose she would.' 6 to suggest obstinate resistance to advice • He would have his own way. 7 to express frustration at some happening • It would rain, just as we're setting out. 8 to express the probable outcome of a particular condition • In your place, I would have told her. 9 to make polite invitations, offers or requests • Would you ring her back? 10 to express a desire • I wish she would stop talking. 11 in politely expressing and seeking opinions • I would suggest • Would you not agree? would that ... old use if only ... • Would that I were twenty again. See also should.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon wolde, past tense of wyllan.

would auxiliary verb, used: 1 in reported speech, as the past tense of will¹ • said she would leave at 10. 2 to indicate willingness, readiness, or ability • was asked to help, but wouldn't • The radio just would not work. 3 to express probability • They would surely have heard. 4 to indicate habitual action • would always telephone at six. 5 to imply that some happening is predictable or unsurprising • 'She refused, but I suppose she would.' 6 to suggest obstinate resistance to advice • He would have his own way. 7 to express frustration at some happening • It would rain, just as we're setting out. 8 to express the probable outcome of a particular condition • In your place, I would have told her. 9 to make polite invitations, offers or requests • Would you ring her back? 10 to express a desire • I wish she would stop talking. 11 in politely expressing and seeking opinions • I would suggest • Would you not agree? would that ... old use if only ... • Would that I were twenty again. See also should.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon wolde, past tense of wyllan.