Would
Persian LearnerEverestCTSHi Persian Learner,When you said would expresses a distance from reality, are you only talking about conditional/hypothetical would or would of probability as well? Thanks.Hi.
'hypothetical' means based on possible ideas, not based on completely real or certain ideas. By 'distance from reality' I meant you're not 100% sure/certain about what you articulate; after all, 'would' is the past form of 'will' and when used for present or future times, it conveys a degree of distance from reality, but the degree varies based on the function of 'would' in the sentence.
Hi Persian Learner,
Let me ask you a direct question instead.
A: I think Jack would know the answer to your question. Ask him.
Does the bold would express distance from reality?
Top answer
A: I think Jack would know the answer to your question. Ask him. Does the bold would express distance from reality?
- A: I think Jack would know the answer to your question.
- Ask him.
- Does the bold would express distance from reality?
- Yes, a minor sense of distance from present reality to create the desired effect: in all likelihood; otherwise it would be 'will'.
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EverestCTSLet me ask you a direct question instead.A: I think Jack would know the answer to your question. Ask him. Does the bold would express distance from reality?
Yes, a minor sense of distance from present reality to create the desired effect: in all likelihood; otherwise it would be 'will'.
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