Would

Question

A asks, “Which of the following sentence is correct?”B replies, “the second sentence would be correct.”Does ‘would’ mean uncertainty in B’s sentence?

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

anonymousDoes ‘would’ mean uncertainty in B’s sentence?

Possibly, but much more likely, it is for politeness.

CalifJim · Answer

— Which of the following sentences is correct?
— The second sentence would be correct.

'would be' substitutes for 'is' or 'are' on rare occasions when the speaker is making an identification as the answer to a question. It may have mild connotations of superiority, in the sense of "You don't know this, but I do, and I'll tell you".

— Who is the Thanksgiving parade marshal this year?
— That would be the mayor, of course. It's always the mayor.

In the examples above, the question is explicit, but it is often implicit, as in the examples below.

Let's consider another war taking place in our homes. That would be the war against our children.

Between these two sentences is the implicit, You are probably asking 'What war are you talking about?' The second sentence answers that question.

Their only hope is a savior: an avatar who has mastered all four elements. That would be Aang, a child with a sacred blue arrow tattooed on his bald scalp.

Between these two sentences is the implicit, 'Who is this avatar?' you may ask. The second sentence answers that question.

Mr. Sturmsen, also an adviser to the president, has now left the administration. He would be the fourth top-level adviser to resign since July.

Between these two sentence is the implicit, Wow! Another one resigned. How many is that now? The second sentence answers that question.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

anonymousA asks, “Which of the following sentence is correct?”

Is the question above grammatical?

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I think that the interrogative Which introduces some choice, hence the NP should be the following sentences.

Would

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