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Would You Like to Know More
About 'Would'? |
In Part 1 of this program, we told you many uses of
“would” in everyday speech. Today, we will talk about
two more uses. We’ll also look at some important
elements for understanding this modal verb. Before we
continue, though, let’s do a short review exercise on
what you learned in Part 1.
Here’s how the review will work: I will give you example
sentences and you will think about how each sentence
uses “would.” The answer options are: polite request,
polite offer, reported speech, imaginary situation or
repeated past action.
Listen carefully – I will use the shortened version of
“would” in some of the sentences. It simply sounds like
the letter “d.” For example, “I would” shortened is
“I’d.”
OK, let’s get started. Listen:
Every summer, we’d drive across the country to see
family.
Would you like sugar and cream in your coffee?
She said that she would be there at 7 p.m.
If I were you, I’d bring a few bathing suits.
Hello, I’d like two tickets to New York.
Now that you have had a little practice, let’s learn two
more uses of “would.”
Refusal to do
The first usage we will examine is about willingness –
or lack of it. The word “would” can express someone’s
refusal to do something when used with the word “not.”
For this meaning, we use “will” to talk about the future
and “would” for the past. Listen to two examples. The
first is about the future:
I’ll ask my cousin to go to the concert. But he won’t
go.
The word “won’t” is a contraction for “will not.” It
shows that the speaker thinks their cousin will refuse
to attend. Now, imagine that the speaker asked their
cousin, and the cousin was unwilling. Listen to the
statement now with the word “would”:
I asked my cousin to go to the concert. But, he wouldn’t
go.
In addition to people, this usage also applies to
things. We know that non-living things cannot really
“refuse” to do something. But, we often express the
malfunctioning of cars, computers and other machines in
this way. In these cases, “would” again acts as the past
tense of “will.” Here is an example about a car with
engine troubles:
Her car wouldn’t start so she took an Uber to work.
And here’s one about computers:
I tried several times but the program wouldn’t open.
The past tense -- “would” -- shows that the people tried
to use these things but they did not operate correctly.
Softening language
OK, let’s move to the next usage. In Part 1, we told you
that English speakers often use indirect language to be
polite.
Indirect language can also soften the sometimes-critical
sound of opinions, suggestions or reactions. Listen to
two examples for comparison — the first one without
“would.”
I suggest that you read customer reviews before buying a
new computer.
And now with “would.”
I’d suggest that you read customer reviews before buying
a new computer.
The word “would” helps this piece of advice sound more
like a suggestion than a command.
Notice that the main verb is “suggest” – a verb we often
use for giving advice. The other common verbs for this
usage of “would” are: say, recommend, think, imagine and
advise.
Here’s another example – this one with “advise”:
I’d advise you to take only four classes per semester.
Okay, we have given you many uses of “would.” There are
a few more. But instead of overwhelming you with
information, let’s look at some important elements to
understanding “would” in everyday English.
‘Will’ and ‘would’
One element is knowing the connection between “will” and
“would.”
For a few uses, the meanings of “will” and “would” are
connected.
One example is in reported speech, as you may recall
from Part 1. The word “would” in reported speech clauses
acts like the past tense of “will” in direct speech.
The same is true when we talk about refusal to do
something: The word “would” acts like the past tense of
“will.”
And, in polite requests and offers, “would” is the
polite form of “will.”
But, for other uses, there is no connection in meaning
between these two words.
No relationship
It is also important to know that the different uses of
“would” are unrelated. For example, the meaning of
“would” in reported speech has no relationship to the
meaning of “would” in expressing refusal to do
something.
To know what “would” means in a statement or question,
pay close attention to the context, as you did in the
review at the start of the program.
Practicing ‘would’
And, don’t forget to listen carefully. In spoken
English, we almost always shorten “would” to just the
letter “d” with personal pronouns.
Now, let’s test your understanding again. I will give
you examples. You think about how “would” is being used.
Your choices are: willingness or softening language.
Listen:
The videos you emailed me wouldn’t open.
I’d say that you need more practice.
We’d suggest visiting the waterfalls on a weekday.
I tried to return the coat but the store wouldn’t take
it back.
Write your answers in the Comments section. You can also
practice by writing your own sentences. We would love to
read them!
I’m Alice Bryant.
Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English.
Ashley Thompson was the editor. |
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