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Pkr Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Troublesome "would"

In this article:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/features/3759199/Heart-of-the-Tuhoe-Nation

what's the meaning of "would"? 

In later years the Crown would invade the Tuhoe settlement of Maungapohatu and execute prophet Rua Kenana's son. Then, in 2007, it would invade the Ruatoki Valley, "just over the hill" to the north, claiming Tuhoe were training terrorists.

Thank you. 
  

Top answer

Would is used to denote something that we now know took place after something else. The year is 2010 now and the text describes events that unfolded earlier. If the reference were to the future, the year 2015 for example, we would say: It will invade the Ruatoki Valley in 2015.

— Cool Breeze

  • Would is used to denote something that we now know took place after something else.
  • The year is 2010 now and the text describes events that unfolded earlier.
  • If the reference were to the future, the year 2015 for example, we would say: It will invade the Ruatoki Valley in 2015.
  • In some languages the past tense is possible instead of would invade , and it would work even in English: invaded .
  • CB
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2 Answers
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Would is used to denote something that we now know took place after something else. The year is 2010 now and the text describes events that unfolded earlier. If the reference were to the future, the year 2015 for example, we would say: It will invade the Ruatoki Valley in 2015.

In some languages the past tense is possible instead of would invade, and it would
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Cool BreezeWould is used to denote something that we now know took place after something else.
So using "would invade",instead of "invaded",adds a bit more "assertive tone" to a known fact.
Very helpful. Thank you very much,CB. 
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