Would

Would

Would = We use ‘Would’ to express possibility, request, permission, suggestion, offer, invitation, and past possibility. When we use formal and polite expressions in the present and past, we use ‘Would.’ We do not use “Will & Shall” in past, we use “Would” in place of Will and Shall.

Modals = Modal Verbs are all about the expressions but not the action.

Would – We use Would in Present, Past, and Future.

Past = Formal and Polite – past request, past permission, past suggestion, past instruction, past offer, and past invitation. Past Possibility. Past Habit and Routine.
Present = Formal and Polite – request, permission, suggestion, instruction, offer, and invitation. Wish, presumption and expectation.
Future = Possibility.

Would Rules

Would + Verb 1st form = He, She, It, I, You, We, They, This, That, These, Those, Singular Noun, and Plural Nouns…

Abbreviation of Subject + would = He/she/it/I/you/we/they/noun/nouns + would

He’d, She’d, I’d, It’d, You’d, We’d, They’d, Noun’d, or Nouns’d.

Would Format

Affirmative = Subject + would + verb 1st form + other words.
Negative = Subject + would + not + verb 1st form + other words.

would + not = wouldn’t.

Simple Interro = Would + subject + verb 1st form + other words?
Simple Interro Negative = Would + subject + not + verb 1st form + other words?
Interrogative = Wh-family + would + subject + verb 1st form + other words?
Interrogative Negative = Wh-family + would + subject + not + verb 1st form + other words?

Would Definition =

1. Past = We use ‘Would’ to express past possibility and past formal and polite requests, permission, suggestion, instruction, offer, and invitation. When we require to use ‘Will & Shall’ in the past, we use ‘Would’ in place of Will.

We use “Should” in the past of “Shall” but if we use “Would” in place of “Should” for Shall in past,” it will become a little less polite than “Should as a past of Shall.”

e.g. –

Reported Speech Direct = I said, “I shall go.”

Indirect = I said that I should go. (a little more polite possibility than Would)

or I said that I would go. (a little less polite possibility than Should)

How do you identify “Would” as Past? =

Whenever you make sentences about the Past, you know that you express a Past scenario. So, it is easy to know when you make any sentences.
When someone makes sentences about ‘Would as Past,’ you can get it by understanding the situation in which they use the sentence. If they talk about any past scenario, you will understand it because they use all sentences in past and past words like yesterday, 3 days ago, etc.

Past Possibility – When we made a sentence to express a possibility in past time and we remind that same sentence now in the present that we made in past, we use Would.

For example = 31 December 2019: I make a sentence – He will live his life happily. (Possibility)

1 January 2020: I reminded the sentence that I said in Past Time (31 December 2019) – He would live his life happily. (Past Possibility)

We made a possibility in past about our future. When we remind the possibility we make in the past, we use ‘Would.’

e.g. –

Reported Speech Direct = I said, “He will pass the examination.”
Indirect = I said that he would pass that examination. (past possibility)

It was early morning. They wouldn’t open their shop. (past possibility)
He was too busy. Would he take some rest? (ask for the past possibility)
I never missed any movies. Would I miss this? (ask for the past possibility)
He studied English so, he’d become a teacher in the future. (past possibility)

Polite and Formal Past Request – We use “Would” for formal and polite requests in past. We mostly ask for requests. We do not give or take requests. It means we mostly make question sentences when we request. When we have already requested in past and now we just remind the sentence, we use Would.

Will/Shall/Would – To express permission in the Present and Future.
Would – To express permission in the Past.

For example = 31 December 2019: I make a sentence – I ask him. Will/Shall/Would we come in?

1 January 2020: I reminded the sentence that I said in Past Time (31 December 2019) – I already asked him. Would we come in? (formal and polite past request)

We express a request in the past. When we remind the request we make in the past, we use ‘Would.’

e.g. – Most of the time, the question is in simple interrogative form.

He was studying. Would I study with him? (ask for formal and polite past requests)
Children did not have toys. Would she buy toys for children? (ask for formal and polite past requests)
My fan was not working. Would you check it? (ask for formal and polite request)

Reported Speech Direct= I said to him, “Shall/Will I join the team?”
Indirect = I requested him if I would join that team. (In the past, it was a formal and polite request)

Reported Speech Direct = He said to her, “Will/Shall I borrow your book?”
Indirect = He requested her if he would borrow her book. (In the past, it was a formal and polite request.)

Reported Speech Direct = We said to him, “Will/Would they also become our friends?”
Indirect = We requested him if they would also become our friends. (In the past, it was a formal and polite request.)

Formal and Polite Past Permission – We use “Would” when we asked, gave, or took formal and polite permissions in past. When we ask permission, it can also become a request but it depends on the way we express ourselves. When we have already asked, given, or taken permission in past and now we just remind the sentence, we use Would.

Will/Shall/Would – To express permission in the Present and Future.
Would – To express permission in the Past.

For example = 31 December 2019: I make a sentence – I ask him. Will/Shall/Would I use your mobile?

1 January 2020: I reminded the sentence that I said in Past Time (31 December 2019) – I already asked him. Would I use your mobile? (formal and polite permission in past)

We express permission in the past. When we remind the permission we make in the past, we use ‘Would.’

e.g. –

Reported Speech Direct = I said to her, “Shall/Will/Would I come with you?”
Indirect = I asked/requested her if I would come with her. (asked or took permission or request in past)

Reported Speech Direct = She said to me, “Would/Will he drive the car?”
Indirect = She asked me if he would drive that car. (asked or took for permission in past)

Reported Speech Direct = She said to him, “Shall/Would I sit on your seat?”
Indirect = She asked/requested him if she would sit on his seat. (asked or took for permission or request in past)

Formal and Polite Past Suggestion – We use “Would” when we asked, gave, or took formal and polite suggestions in past. When we have already asked, given, or taken suggestions in past and now we just remind the sentence, we use Would.

Will/Shall/Would – To express suggestions in the Present and Future.
Would – To express suggestions in the Past.

For example = 31 December 2019: I make a sentence – I ask him. Will/Shall/Would I tell you how to use a phone?

1 January 2020: I reminded the sentence that I said in Past Time (31 December 2019) – I already asked him. Might I tell you how to use a phone? (a formal and polite suggestion in past)

We express suggestions in the past. When we remind the suggestions we make in the past, we use ‘Would.’

e.g. –

He was not able to solve this problem but I would know and I would teach him. (gave the suggestion)
She had no dress for function. You would have a chance to buy a new dress for her. (gave suggestion)

Reported Speech Direct = She was confused. She said to them, “Where will/shall I go for vacation?”
Indirect = She was confused. She asked them where she would go for vacation. (asked or took for suggestion in past)
Answer = They suggested that she would go to Shimla. (gave suggestion)

Reported Speech Direct = I said to him, “How will/would she pass this examination?”
Indirect = I asked him how she would pass that examination. (asked or took for suggestion in past)
Answer = He suggested to me that she’d study from them and he would teach her. (gave suggestion)

Reported Speech Direct = He said to me, “What will/shall/would I do to gain muscles?”
Indirect = He asked me what he would do to gain muscles. (asked or took for suggestion in past)
Answer = I suggested to him that he would consume those foods and do exercise. (gave suggestion)

Formal and Polite Past Instruction – We use “Would” when we asked, gave, or took formal and polite instruction in the past. When we have already asked, given, or taken instruction in the past and now we just remind the sentence, we use Would.

Will/Shall/Would – To express instruction in the Present and Future.
Would – To express instruction in the Past.

For example = 31 December 2019: I make a sentence – I explain him. He will/shall/would press this button and then push the leverage.

1 January 2020: I reminded the sentence that I said in Past Time (31 December 2019) – I already explained to him about this machine. He would press that button and then push the leverage. (formal and polite instruction in past)

We express instruction in the past. When we remind the instruction we make in the past, we use ‘Would.’

e.g –

I was lost. Where would I go from here? (asked or took for instruction in past)
You would take right then left after that you would ask about the landmark. I would come to pick you from there. (gave instruction)

Reported Speech Direct = He said to them, “How will/would she cook this food?”
Indirect = He asked them how she would cook that food. (asked or took for instruction in past)
Answer = They instructed him that she would bake it under 150 degrees for 45 minutes then add those spices. (gave instruction)

Reported Speech Direct = I said to him, “How will/shall I learn English fluently?”
Indirect = I asked him how I would learn English fluently. (asked or took for instruction in past)
Answer = He instructed me that I’d start to understand English people’s culture. That was the best way to learn English. (gave instruction)

Reported Speech Direct = We said to them, ” We are stuck what will/shall/would we do now?”
Indirect = We asked them that we were stuck what we would do then. (asked or took for instruction in past)
Answer = They instructed us that we would communicate via radio and follow that lead. (gave instruction)

Formal and Polite Past Offer – We use “Would” for formal and polite offers in past. Mostly we give and take offers. We do not ask for offers. It means we mostly do not make question sentences when we offer. When we have already given or taken offers in past and now we just remind the sentence, we use Would.

Will/Shall/Would – To express offers in the Present and Future.
Would – To express offers in the Past.

For example = 31 December 2019: I make a sentence – Will/Shall/Would I teach you how to use a phone?

1 January 2020: I reminded the sentence that I said in Past Time (31 December 2019) – I already asked him. Would I teach you how to use a phone? (formal and polite offer in past)

- We express offers in the past. When we remind the offer we make in the past, we use ‘Would.’

e.g. –

He did not have a drink so, I would give him a drink. (formal and polite offer in past)
He was late for the office so, he would use my car. (formal and polite offer in past)

Reported Speech Direct = He said to me, “You will/would work with us.”
Indirect = He offered me that I would work with them. (formal and polite offer in past)

Reported Speech Direct = She said to him, “I would/will/shall marry you.”
Indirect = She offered him that she would marry him. (formal and polite offer in past)

Reported Speech Direct = We said to them, “They will/would live with us.”
Indirect = We offered them that they would live with us. (formal and polite offer in past)

Formal and Polite Past Invitation – We use “Would” for a formal and polite invitation in past. When we have already given or taken an invitation in past and now we just remind the sentence, we use Would.

Will/Shall/Would – To express invitation in the Present and Future.
Would – To express invitation in the Past.

For example = 31 December 2019: I make a sentence – You will/shall/would come to my wedding.

1 January 2020: I reminded of the sentence that I said in Past Time (31 December 2019) – He said to me that I would come to his wedding. (formal and polite invitation in past)

- We express invitations in the past. When we remind the invitation we make in the past, we use ‘Would.’

e.g. –

Reported Speech Direct = He said to me, “You would come to my party.”
Indirect = He invited me that I would come to his party. (party invitation in past)

Reported Speech Direct = We said to him, “He will join the meeting.”
Indirect = We invited him that he would join that meeting. (meeting invitation in past)

Reported Speech Direct = He said to her, “You would/will come to my wedding with your family.”
Indirect = He invited her that she would come to his wedding with her family. (wedding invitation in past)

Past Routine and Habit = We use “Would” for old/changed routines and habits. These are not our current routines and habits anymore. Whatever habits and routines we had in past, we use “Would” for that. It is definitely formal and polite. We mostly use this when we tell a story or narration.

e.g. –

I had a friend in India. We played a lot together, we used to meet each other every time and he would always try to stay with me longer. Every day, we would play video games, he would do lunch with us and we would study together as well. One day, I moved to the USA since then I never talked to him. I missed those days. (Past routines and habits)

Before 2000, we would work as a waiter. (Past routine)
Last year, he would wake at 6 a.m. early in the morning. Now, he wakes up at 8 a.m. in the morning. (Past habit and routine)

2. Present = We use ‘Would’ to express formal and polite requests, permission, suggestion, instruction, offer, or invitations. It is similar to “May” and “Could” but it is more formal and polite than “May” and “Could.”

How do you identify “Would” as Present? =

Whenever you make sentences about the Present, you know that you express a Present scenario. So, it is easy to know when you make any sentences.
When someone makes sentences about ‘Would as Present,’ you can get it by understanding the situation in which they use the sentence. If they talk about any present scenario, you will understand it because they use all sentences in present.

Polite and Formal Request – We use “Would” for formal and polite requests. To make it effective, you need to express yourself in form of requesting. We mostly ask for requests. We do not give or take requests. It means we mostly make question sentences when we request.

e.g. – Most of the time, the question is in simple interrogative form.

Would I help you? (ask for formal and polite request)
Would you guide me to this location? (ask for formal and polite request)

Formal and Polite Permission – We use “Would” when we ask, give, or take formal and polite permission. When we ask permission, it can also become a request but it depends on the way we express ourselves. We give permission but not request.

e.g. –

Would he come with us? (ask or take for permission or request)
He would come with us. (give permission)
Would I call you anytime? (ask or take for permission or request)
You would call me anytime. (give permission)

Formal and Polite Suggestion – We use “Would” when we ask, give, or take formal and polite suggestions.

e.g. –

What would I do for them? (ask or take for the suggestion)
You would teach them. (give suggestion)
How would she lose weight? (ask or take for the suggestion)
She would do meditation and yoga. (give suggestion)

Formal and Polite Instruction – We use “Would” when we ask, give, or take formal and polite instruction.

e.g –

Where would I throw the trash? (ask or take for instruction)
You would go to room no. 14. There, you see a dust bin. (give instruction)
How would I learn English fluently? (ask or take for instruction or suggestion)
For learning English fluently, you would understand English people’s culture. This is the best way to learn English. (give instruction)

Formal and Polite Offer – We use “Would” for formal and polite offers. Mostly we give and take offers. We do not ask for offers. It means we mostly do not make question sentences when we offer.

e.g. –

You’d work with us if you are ready. (formal and polite offer)
We would invest in your business. (formal and polite offer)

Formal and Polite Invitation – We use “Would” for a formal and polite invitation.

e.g. –

They would come to my party. (party invitation)
He would come to my wedding with his family. (wedding invitation)

3. Future = We use “Would” for strong future possibility. When there are more chances to happen or do something in the future, we use Would.

How do you identify “Would” as Future? =

Whenever you make sentences about the Future, you know that you express a Future scenario. So, it is easy to know when you make any sentences.
When someone makes sentences about ‘Would as Future,’ you can get it by understanding the situation in which they use the sentence. If they talk about any future scenario, you will understand it because they use all sentences in future and future words like tomorrow, after 5 days, etc.

Future Possibility – We use “Would” when there is a strong chance to do or happen in the future. We express the future possibility, we are not so sure about it.

e.g. –

It would fall rain next month. (strong possibility)
Would I become an entrepreneur someday? (ask for the strong possibility)
How many days would it take to learn English? (ask for the strong possibility)
He would win the car race next year. (strong possibility)
Would they marry each other in the next 4 years? (ask for the strong possibility)

Modals – Modals are all about the expressions that do not take place. When we use Modals, we only express, we do not do it. When we do, we use Tense.

Modals – can, could, may, might, should, would, will, shall, ought to, and must, etc.