Would

Question

Hi,Why is would used in the following dialogues? A: Howard, Would you come and speak at  my school on Wednesday?B: Me? Really, you want me to come there?A: It's career day for my third grade class, I have got doctor, lawyer and policeman.I think a navigator on a big jet. WOULD really be exciting?In dialogue "A", I think. I know that would is getting used to make a polite request But how about the " WOULD" in the bold letters again in the dialogue "A" ? I can guess but not sure. It's implied conditional but what condition can be?Thank you

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

MFarooqI know that would is ~~getting~~ used to make a polite request [in the first sentence].

Correct.

MFarooqIt's an implied conditional but what condition can be [in the last sentence]?

I think a navigator on a big jet WOULD really be exciting
IF we could get a navigator (namely, you) to come and speak.

Or, The class would find it exciting if you came to speak.

You don't always have to find an exact if-clause to fit the situation of an implied conditional. The 'would' simply indicates that you're not making a direct assertion. You're saying what you imagine will happen.

In the case you are concerned with here, you're not saying A navigator is really exciting, or A navigator was really exciting, or A navigator will be really exciting, though it's closer to this last one. It will be exciting IF B consents to come and speak, but so far in the conversation, B has not said definitely that he will come and speak. A is still hoping that he can convince B to come and speak. So he makes it seem more attractive to B by painting a positive (but imaginary) picture of what his coming to speak would do for the students.

So, in a way, sometimes 'would' is an imagined 'will'.

CJ

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