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Enchanted Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

The word would

Hey,
I've been always confused with the word would. Here is one"

"In spite of appearances, I believe he would be an excellent father figure."

I can't understand it as the pass tense of the word will.

Is it equivalent to the word can or be able to?

Thanks,

Ench
  

Top answer

Hi, It's conditional/hypothetical, eg If he had a child, he would be an excellent father. Best wishes, Clive

— Clive

  • Hi, It's conditional/hypothetical, eg If he had a child, he would be an excellent father.
  • Best wishes, Clive
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5 Answers
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Hi,

It's conditional/hypothetical, eg If he had a child, he would be an excellent father.

Best wishes, Clive
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In the sentence you wrote, "would" is similar to "could", but there is a difference.

"he would be" means the speaker trusts that the man will be a good father figure, if there is such a situation.

"he could be" is slightly different because "could" suggest the man is capable of being a father figure, but there is not a definite certainty that he is going to be a good father figu
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thank you!

Sorry i forgot to write down that they are talking to a pregnant woman. is it still a conditional/hypothetical?
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Yes. Person who has said that believes that he (who is going to be a father) will be a good father. Would is a modal verb. Would has pretty enough modal's contrasts which can express insistence, wish, probability, polite request and preference.
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Hi,
If he caused her preganancy, there isn't much hypothetical about that.

I'd say "In spite of appearances, I believe he will be an excellent father figure."

Clive
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