would

[wʊd]

would Definition

• 1. used to indicate the consequence or result of an imagined or hypothetical situation
• 2. used to make a polite request or offer
• 3. used 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

Synonyms for would

• could
• might
• should

Phrases with would

• would have

  used to indicate an unrealized or hypothetical event in the past

  Example

  If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.

• would rather

  used to express a preference for one thing over another

  Example

  I would rather stay home than go out tonight.

• would you believe

  used to introduce a surprising or unlikely fact

  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'

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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.