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MFarooq Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Would

Hi everybody,
please,let me know the use of would according to grammar in the following sentences

1-They would say that, wouldn't they?
2-John said he didn't steal the money. | Well, he would, wouldn't he?

Why the would is used in these sentences.I need to know the reason.Thank you!
  

Top answer

Hello, MFarooq—and welcome to English Forums. In both your sentences, 'would' is used for 'predictability" or 'characteristic behaviour', as Geoffrey Leech calls it. It is the past form of 'will', which is less often used for the same purpose in the present or future.

— Mister Micawber

  • Hello, MFarooq—and welcome to English Forums.
  • In both your sentences, 'would' is used for 'predictability" or 'characteristic behaviour', as Geoffrey Leech calls it.
  • It is the past form of 'will', which is less often used for the same purpose in the present or future.
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4 Answers
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Hello, MFarooq—and welcome to English Forums.

In both your sentences, 'would' is used for 'predictability" or 'characteristic behaviour', as Geoffrey Leech calls it. It is the past form of 'will', which is less often used for the same purpose in the present or future.
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Thank you Mister Micawber for answering.I need to ask two things.

1- who is Geoffrey Leech?
2-Are there other ways to write these sentences in which you use different structure but convey the same message?If possible,can you write for me please.I'd appreciate it.Thank you!
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MFarooqother ways to write these sentences
1- It's (so frustratingly) typical of them to say that, isn't it?
2- John said he didn't steal the money. | Well, that's just we expected, isn't it? What else was he going to say?

CJ
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