We wouldn't want them to think we aren't happy!
Husband: Hey, people are starting to stare. Can you keep your voice down, please?
Wife: Absolutely.We wouldn't want them to think we aren't happy!
What is the use of "would" here? is it 2nd hypothetical conditional?If so, how?
Top answer
The neutral form is We don't want them to think we aren't happy! By changing "don't" to "wouldn't" you make the statement sarcastic. We wouldn't want them to think we aren't happy!
- The neutral form is We don't want them to think we aren't happy!
- By changing "don't" to "wouldn't" you make the statement sarcastic.
- We wouldn't want them to think we aren't happy!
- That's because "would" can be used to soften a statement or make it seem more polite and deferential.
- The wife in this scenario is mocking that convention by using the softer version of the statement, knowing that by being so deferential when she is clearly angry will be seen as sarcastic.
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The neutral form is
We don't want them to think we aren't happy!
By changing "don't" to "wouldn't" you make the statement sarcastic.
We wouldn't want them to think we aren't happy!
That's because "would" can be used to soften a statement or make it seem more polite and deferential. The wife in this scenario is mocking that convention by using the softer v
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