Use of auxiliary would

Question

Hello Experts!I've just learnt the auxiliary would can be used in following conditions,1. Polite requests and suggestions2. Express a future in the past3. Wishes pertain to the future, and in the main clauses of sentences containing false or improbable conditions.Is there any other scenarios that we can use the auxiliary would?What are the conditions that following examples belong to? (Please also correct my grammar here if it is incorrect)1. She would find it easy. - suggestions?2. They would be on time.- suggestions?3. He would like to help us. - ?4. We would try our best. - - suggestions? Thank you very much

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

DarkAngel.Is Are there any other scenarios ~~that~~ where we can use the auxiliary "would"?

Yes. Too many to discuss them all here. For example, would is used in conditional statments. If Lenny heard that joke, he would laugh.

DarkAngel.1. She would find it easy.
2. They would be on time.
3. He would like to help us.

It is difficult to paraphrase sentences with would without more context, but here are my comments.

1. There is something that she might someday have an opportunity to do. Supposing that she tried to do it, she would find it easy to do. (She doesn't necessarily try to do it. We are just imagining the result if she tried.)

2. This could mean several different things. It is not useful to discuss all the different things it might mean without further context. It could be as simple as would used as the past of will.

Present: I am sure that they will be on time.
Past: I was sure that they would be on time.

3. This sentence illustrates the idiom would like to. The meaning when would is combined with like is similar to want or be willing or will be glad. He would like to help us. ~ He [wants / is willing / will be glad] to help us.

CJ

DarkAngel. · Answer

Thanks CJ

Use of auxiliary would

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