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Swapan Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Usage of would

Please make me clear :
Sometimes it makes me confused of meaning of 'would'.
Suppose, the windows would not close. What does it mean by this sentence, and why not 'will' in stead of 'would' there. Likewise,
2. Oh, I would that I could change his mind.
3. what good would that do?
4. I would have to agree.
5. would that he had lived to finish it.
6. who would have believed it?
  

Top answer

Im sure would also means 'wish' and is used in conditional situatuon often with 'if' So for number 2 it is presumed to be conditional. "

— Anonymous

  • Im sure would also means 'wish' and is used in conditional situatuon often with 'if' So for number 2 it is presumed to be conditional.
  • "
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4 Answers
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Im sure would also means 'wish' and is used in conditional situatuon often with 'if'
So for number 2 it is presumed to be conditional.
For example, "if I do that what good would that do?"
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swapanThe windows would not close.
'would not' can be used to indicate failure in the past.

The windows failed to close. (Somebody tried to close them but was unsuccessful.)

In a present situation, a situation that is currently happening, use 'will'

The windows will not close. ~ The windows won't close. (I'm trying to close
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swapan2. Oh, I would that I could change his mind. ... 5. Would that he had lived to finish it.
Here 'would' or 'I would' means 'I wish'. This formulation is so rare as to be practically non-existent in modern English.
swapan3. What good would that do
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Thanks a lot for the reply. It was very helpful indeed. As there is a wide variation in usage of would, so they make me sometimes confused. And hope I will receive same kind of response in future from you.
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