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Tot2ivn Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

"Would be" vs "am/are/is" ??

My question arised when I was watching "Friends" ...

Scene: Six of those friends are watching the old photos of Ross and Monica...

Joey : ( holds a photo in his hand ) I've got the picture of Monica naked !!
Ross : That would be me.

why did he use "would be" but not ordinary "is" ?

Thank you very much in advance.
  

Top answer

Ross is stating a presumption that it is actually the picture of him, not Monica-- he either cannot actually see the photo that Joey is holding at the moment, or he is politely inferring that Joey is incorrect (to say is would be a direct contradiction)

— Mister Micawber

  • Ross is stating a presumption that it is actually the picture of him, not Monica-- he either cannot actually see the photo that Joey is holding at the moment, or he is politely inferring that Joey is incorrect (to say is would be a direct contradiction)
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3 Answers
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Ross is stating a presumption that it is actually the picture of him, not Monica-- he either cannot actually see the photo that Joey is holding at the moment, or he is politely inferring that Joey is incorrect (to say is would be a direct contradiction)
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Thank you for your clear explanation, Mr.Micawber.

Can you please go a little bit deeply into how to use "would + Verb" in politely spoken situations ?

( I just know "would like" ).
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It's quite common, I think--

Would you like vs do you want... a sandwich?
Would you vs will you close the window?
I would suggest the cabernet sauvignon.
I wouldn't push that button-- it's the fire alarm!
I wouldn't want to be in your shoes.

etc. I think you will run across many examples in your studies.
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