would Definition
- 1used to indicate the consequence or result of an imagined or hypothetical situation
- 2used to make a polite request or offer
- 3used to express a wish or desire
Using would: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "would" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
If I had more money, I would travel the world.
Example
Would you mind passing me the salt?
Example
I wish it would stop raining.
would Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with would
Example
If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
Example
I would rather stay home than go out tonight.
Example
Would you believe that he's never been on a plane before?
Origins of would
from Old English 'wolde', past tense of 'willan', meaning 'to will'
Summary: would in Brief
The modal verb 'would' [wʊd] is used to indicate the result of an imagined or hypothetical situation, as in 'If I had more money, I would travel the world.' It is also used to make polite requests or offers, such as 'Would you mind passing me the salt?' and to express wishes or desires, as in 'I wish it would stop raining.' 'Would' can be used in phrases like 'would have' to indicate an unrealized or hypothetical event in the past.