Would
From open-dictionary.com - the free dictionary.
English
Homophones
Auxiliary verb
would
- Indicating in action or state that is conditional on another.
- We would be warmer if you hadn't opened the window!
- Bill said he would go if it didn't rain.
- Indicating a possible (but not definite) future action or state.
- We sat on the bench, wondering if the bus would be late this time.
- Indicating an action in the past that was planned or intended.
- The waiter said he would be right back.
- Indicating an action in the past that happened repeatedly or commonly.
- In the winters, we would sit by the hole on the frozen lake and fish for hours.
- Used to express a polite request.
- Would you please turn off the TV?
Usage notes
Would is used with the infinitive of verbs, without to:
- "John said he would have fish for dinner."
Historically, would is the past tense of will.
Synonyms
- (indicating an action in the past that happened repeatedly or commonly): used to
- (used to express a polite request): be so good as to, kindly, please
Translations
- Note: many languages express some meanings of would using a mood or tense rather than by a particular word.
indicating in action or state that is conditional on another
- French: Use the conditional tense
- We would be warmer if you hadn't opened the window! - Nous serons plus chauds si vous n'avez pas ouvert la fenêtre!
- Italian: Use the conditional tense
- We would be warmer if you hadn't opened the window! - Saremmo più caldi se non aveste aperto la finestra!
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indicating a possible (but not definite) future action or state
- French: Use the conditional tense
- We sat on the bench, wondering if the bus would be late this time. - Nous nous sommes assis sur le banc, nous demandons si l'autobus serait en retard cette fois.
- Italian: Use the conditional tense
- French: Use the conditional tense
- We sat on the bench, wondering if the bus would be late this time. - Ci siamo seduti sul banco, domandandoci se il bus sarebbe in ritardo questa volta.
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indicating an action in the past that was planned or intended
- French: Use the conditional tense
- The waiter said he would be right back. - Le garçon a dit qu'il retournerait tout de suite.
- Italian: Use the conditional tense
- The waiter said he would be right back. - Il cameriere ha detto che ritornerebbe subito.
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indicating an action in the past that happened repeatedly or commonly
- French: Use the imperfect tense
- In the winters, we would sit by the hole on the frozen lake and fish for hours. - En hiver, nous nous asseyions à côté du trou sur le lac gelé et nous péchions pendant des heures.
- Italian: Use the imperfect tense
- In the winters, we would sit by the hole on the frozen lake and fish for hours. - Durante l'inverno, ci sedevamo presso al buco sul lago gelato e prendevamo pesci da ori.
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used to express a polite request
- French: vouloir, veuillez (imperative)
- Would you please turn off the TV? - Tu veux éteindre la télé, s'il te plaît? (informal); Voulez-vous éteindre la télévision, s'il vous plaît? (formal); Veuillez éteindre la télévision, s'il vous plaît? (formal)
- Italian: volere
- Would you please turn off the TV? - Vuoi spegnere la tivù, per favore? (infomal); Volete spegnere la televisione, per favore? (formal)
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Translations to be checked
The translations below need to be checked by native speakers and inserted into the appropriate table(s) above.
Related terms
See also
