Another question on the use of modal verb "would"

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Hi. I use the example sentence below to ask a question in the thread I started titled 'Use of modal verb "would"' and in it I believe two people provided helpful responses but I wish you would help me with telling me what "type" of use it shows. What I mean by that is that a typical grammar book might classify the use of the modal verb "would" into types like "part of an if-clause" (not sure "part of an if-clause" makes sense, though).

She asked him a question, but he wouldn't answer.

How about this? If you were ask to cast this use into types, what would it be?

She asked him a question, and he would answer, "It would take some time."

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

AnonymousShe asked him a question, but he wouldn't answer.

Negated will [present] and would [past] can be used to mean refuse(s) to and refused to, respectively. This usage does not apply to the affirmative form.

No matter what question she asks him, he [won't / refuses to] answer.

She asked him a question, but he [wouldn't / refused to] answer.

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousShe asked him a question, and he would answer, "It would take some time."

This doesn't seem idiomatic enough to believe that anyone would generate it.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Hi. Thank you for your replies. I am not sure but I think the reply you supplied above doesn't seem to fit what a typical online grammar source might have on its website for explaining the use of the modal verb "would" (not sure I have phrased correctly to reflect what I wanted to ask, though).

I am familiar with examples like "He knew I would do it if I were asked to do so," which I think is the past of "He knows I will do it if I am asked to do so."

Are your examples above the same (in terms of the logic of the use of the modal verb "would") as the example of the use of the modal verb "would" which I provided in the previous sentence?

Could you also tell me what kind of use is this use of the modal verb "would"?

1 Samuel 1:8 in the New International Version of the Bible:

Elkanah her husband would say to her, "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?"

Thank you for your anticipated help.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI think the reply you supplied above doesn't seem to fit what a typical online grammar source might have on its website for explaining the use of the modal verb "would"

That's not surprising. You will go crazy if you try to reconcile all the various opinions represented in all those different websites!

AnonymousAre your examples above the same (in terms of the logic of the use of the modal verb "would") as the example of the use of the modal verb "would" which I provided in the previous sentence?

No. The sentences I discussed earlier in this thread are examples of the idiomatic use of will not and would not to express refusal. The examples you are referring to, concerning knowing you would do it, etc., are different. Those aren't related to refusal. They are conditional patterns.

AnonymousElkanah her husband would say to her

This use of would is again different. It expresses habitual action in the past. It paraphrases thus: Her husband used to say to her ....

So in just one post you have touched on three kinds of would: the would (not) of refusal, conditional would, and the would of past habits.

CJ

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