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Believer Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

modal verb 'would'

Hi,

I think you can use 'would' to make a past time reference as well as to the present and future time references.

1. Expressing present time politeness:

Would you mind moving to the left, I have to sit with my baby?

Of course, It's my pleasure.

2. Making a past time reference:

When I was three years old, I would play with toy trains.

3. Making a past time conditional reference:

If I had had a toy train, I would have played with it all day.

Between no. 2. and 3, would you say both 'would play' and 'would have played' convey the sense of past-ness?? Are they functional the same for the purpose of expressing teh past-ness?
  

Top answer

I think you're generally right. cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/340600179/m/6231002154

  • I think you're generally right.
  • cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/340600179/m/6231002154
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2 Answers
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Are they functionally the same ...?
Yes. Sort of. would alone makes the past time reference in 2. would have makes it a (hypothetical) past in conditionals like 3. Some people would consider it a hypothetical future of the past, however. [would alone in conditionals (not shown) creates a hypothetical future.]

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