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Debpriya De Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
I wouldn't know
Why do we say "I wouldn't know" when someone inquires about something that we don't know ?
Why do we use a conditional here ?
Why do we use a conditional here ?
Top answer
It's just a less direct way of saying "I don't know". There is no explicit conditional sense -- just a vaguely implied "I wouldn't know ... ".
- It's just a less direct way of saying "I don't know".
- There is no explicit conditional sense -- just a vaguely implied "I wouldn't know ...
- ".
- "would" can be used like this in lots of scenarios.
- " (polite).
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1 Answers
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It's just a less direct way of saying "I don't know". There is no explicit conditional sense -- just a vaguely implied "I wouldn't know ... if I was asked / if I had to give an opinion / etc.".
"would" can be used like this in lots of scenarios. Another example: "You wouldn't have a pen I could borrow, would you?" (polite).
"would" can be used like this in lots of scenarios. Another example: "You wouldn't have a pen I could borrow, would you?" (polite).
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