where can we use would past of will?

Question

Could you tell me where we can would as a past of will besides in reported speech?  Please help.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

That is the only way I think it appears.

Fivejedjon · Answer

Characteristic habit.

You can rely on John. He will always be there when you need him
You could rely on John. He would always be there when you needed him.

Tenjing · Answer

What is 'characteristic habit'?
Please explain with examples. Please

CalifJim · Answer

tenjing Could you tell me where we can use "would" as a past of "will" besides in reported speech?

Any introductory main clause with phrases like "knew that", "believed that", "decided that", etc., can govern a future-of-the-past use of "would". It doesn't have to involve speech. These are backshifts of the corresponding future-tense statements with "will".

I knew that Tom would help us. (From I know that Tom will help us.)
I thought Lucy would be willing to go. (From ... think that Lucy will be willing to go.)
Jerry hoped that Mary would remember to pick up the pizza on the way home. (From ... hopes Mary will remember ....)
_____________

In some contexts "would" means something like "was destined to", "was eventually going to".

As a young student Marzinsky was a virtuoso violinist. Later in life he would write many beautiful compositions for the violin.

CJ

Tenjing · Answer

Thanks a lot, CJ but, there is on 'that clause' in fivejedjon's sentence. That's why I got confused.

CalifJim · Answer

tenjingthere is on no 'that clause' in fivejedjon's sentence.

That's because he showed you a different usage of "would". That usage means, more or less, "used to":

We would visit our grandparents in Chicago every summer.
~
We used to visit our grandparents in Chicago every summer.

CJ

where can we use would past of will?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions