Embedded Hypothetical Conditional

Question

Can we say that each time we use would (without the meaning of past of will or past habit), it is in some way (and for the purpose of politeness, uncertainty, hesitancy or impossibility)) should implied the meaning of hypothetical conditional situation even though it is not mentioned directly, like these examples:

I would like a cup of tea (if you could make one).

I would rather go to the park (if it was possible).

would you mind carrying this for me? (if you could do that).

Would you like another drink? (if I brought it).

What would you do? (if something happened).

I would think that is the right answer (if you trusted me).

Please give us the context, that would help us help you (if you gave us the contest).

This would be great (if you did it).

I'm hearing a voice, that would be my sister (if I guessed)

Am I right with all these statement? or there is something that I misunderstood?

GPY · Accepted Answer

I would like a cup of tea (if you could make one).
"would like" is a set expression for polite request. There is no implied conditional (or only in the very weakest sense).

I would rather go to the park (if it was possible).
"would rather" is a set way of expressing preference. Any implied conditional is weak.

would you mind carrying this for me? (if you could do that).
"Would you mind ... ?" is a set expression for polite request. There is no implied conditional.

Would you like another drink? (if I brought it).
Same as the first one.

What would you do? (if something happened).
Yes.

I would think that is the right answer (if you trusted me).
Softened way to express opinion. No implied condition.

Please give us the context, that would help us help you (if you gave us the contest).
Yes, but comma splice.

This would be great (if you did it).
Yes (though "That would be great" is more usual).

I'm hearing a voice, that would be my sister (if I guessed)
Slightly odd + comma splice. Apparently no implied condition; appears to be a softened way to express speaker's belief.

CalifJim · Answer

moheng1288should implied the meaning of hypothetical conditional situation even though it is not mentioned directly

Some of this is ungrammatical, which makes it hard to understand the question.

I don't think you need to find an if-clause for every use of 'would', if that's what you're asking.

'would like', 'would rather', 'would prefer', and 'would mind?' represent an entire class of fixed expressions that use 'would'. They might even be considered idioms. The fact that they contain 'would' is almost inconsequential, and even if you can find an if-clause to go with them, the if-clause is vacuous. These can be memorized as fixed expressions.

moheng1288that would be my sister

~ I am almost certain that it is my sister.

I call this "the would of high probability". Some speakers, when asked about it, see it as more certain. I don't sense any non-trivial if-clause lurking about.

CJ

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