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We wouldn't say,'Do you get dressed for Halloween?'; we would say,'Do you dress up for Halloween?'

My question is, what does 'would' mean in the Sentence? What does it express? Is it conditional? Please explain. I am really confused.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Anonymouswhat does 'would' mean in the Sentence? What does it express?

'would' doesn't really have any meaning as a word. I think you are looking for a synonym for 'would', and it doesn't have one. Looking for a meaning for the single word 'would' won't help you understand its use.

In your sentence the speaker uses 'would' because of how he is thinking about the situation of asking one or the other of those questions. In his mind is the idea "Supposing we wanted to ask one of these questions". This is to contrast it with a definite statement that we are actually asking one of those questions. So if the speaker has the idea of a supposition in mind which might apply to what he says, he adds 'would'.

We say becomes We would say.
We don't say becomes We wouldn't say.
And so on.

AnonymousIs it conditional?

As explained above, it is implicitly conditional because it involves the mental attitude of supposition.

CJ

Mister Micawber · Answer

Please use thread titles that are more descriptive of the topic. 'Help!' is of no help to the members who would help you.

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJim Anonymouswhat does 'would' mean in the Sentence? What does it express?'would' doesn't really have any meaning as a word. I think you are looking for a synonym for 'would', and it doesn't have one. Looking for a meaning for the single word 'would' won't help you understand its use.In your sentence the speaker uses 'would' because of how he is thinking about the situation of asking one or the other of those questions. In his mind is the idea "Supposing we wanted to ask one of these questions". This is to contrast it with a definite statement that we are actually asking one of those questions. So if the speaker has the idea of a supposition in mind which might apply to what he says, he adds 'would'.We say becomes We would say.We don't say becomes We wouldn't say.And so on.AnonymousIs it conditional?As explained above, it is implicitly conditional because it involves the mental attitude of supposition.CJ

Can I understand would as a public opinion?

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousCan I understand would as a public opinion?

I suppose you could look at it that way.

CJ

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