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Bee build 43 Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

Using of would

I have studied the using of the modal verbs from different sources, and generally all of these sources refer that the using of the modal verb (would) could be one of the following cases:

  • Future in the past or past of will (reported speech)
  • Repeated action or habit in the past
  • Polite request
  • Offer and invitation
  • Would + like/love/hate
  • Expressing Preference (Would rather)
  • Hypothetical (imaginary) situation

But there are some sentence I saw in passages and movies that I cannot know what kind of uses they are refer to, like these sentences (that from the context of them I feel they do not refer to the past of will):

[ I would think that is the right answer ]

[ It is very difficult I would imagine ]

[ I would guess that is not true ]

[ It would be very expensive to stay in a hotel ]

[ Please give us the context, that would help us help you ]

[ The difference between them would depend on context ]

[ Do you want eggs? Eggs would be great ]

[ Why would you move? ]

Can you explain to me what these sentences mean with (would)?

  

Top answer

They all seem to be hypothetical 'would' with an implied conditional clause; this is a common way to express hesitancy, modesty or courtesy. I would think that is the right answer [if you trusted my opinion] Do you want eggs? Eggs would be great [if you served them to me]

— Mister Micawber

  • They all seem to be hypothetical 'would' with an implied conditional clause; this is a common way to express hesitancy, modesty or courtesy.
  • I would think that is the right answer [if you trusted my opinion] Do you want eggs?
  • Eggs would be great [if you served them to me]
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3 Answers
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They all seem to be hypothetical 'would' with an implied conditional clause; this is a common way to express hesitancy, modesty or courtesy.

I would think that is the right answer [if you trusted my opinion]

Do you want eggs? Eggs would be great [if you served them to me]

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Most if not all of these relate to hypothetical situations. Think of them as having an implied condition.

eg (If I stayed in a hotel) it would be very expensive.

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bee build 43[ I would think that is the right answer ][ It is very difficult I would imagine ][ I would guess that is not true ]

The verbs 'think', 'imagine' and 'guess' already show the speaker's uncertainty. 'would' merely emphasizes that uncertainty and thereby makes the speaker appear even more humble in expressing his opinion.

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