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Mr. Tom Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

I have put up with you behavior for too long

Hi

It was something like this I read in a story today.

(Angry father to his daugher)

I have put up with you nonsensical behavior for too long and would ask you to watch where you're going.

I want to know why he uses would and not will.

Thanks,

Tom

PS: Is the underlined sentences 100% natural?
  

Top answer

Mr. Tom I want to know why he uses would and not will. If he says 'will', it implies that he will ask later.

— CalifJim

  • Mr.
  • Tom I want to know why he uses would and not will.
  • If he says 'will', it implies that he will ask later.
  • But he's angry now.
  • He is asking now.
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2 Answers
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Mr. TomI want to know why he uses would and not will.
If he says 'will', it implies that he will ask later. But he's angry now. He is asking now. He could have omitted 'would'. It's a sign of politeness where politeness is not called for, so it's a sign that the father is distancing himself from his daughter by speaking to her as he might speak to a strang
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I have put up with your nonsensical behavior for too long and would ask you to watch where you're going.


I would ask you to . . . is an idiomatic way of expressing a formal, polite but firm request or order.
With this formal tone, I'd say 'where you are going'.

Actually., watch where
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