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Picnic Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Would for politeness

Would is past tense of will, why is it used for politeness then?
  

Top answer

We use 'past'-tense forms for distancing in: time: Did you have a meeting yesterday? As a child I would spend hours in the woods with my dog . directness: I was wondering if you had a moment?

— Fivejedjon

  • We use 'past'-tense forms for distancing in: time: Did you have a meeting yesterday?
  • As a child I would spend hours in the woods with my dog .
  • directness: I was wondering if you had a moment?
  • Would you follow me, please?
  • reality: I wish I had more free time.
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1 Answers
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We use 'past'-tense forms for distancing in:

time: Did you have a meeting yesterday?
As a child I would spend hours in the woods with my dog.

directness: I was wondering if you had a moment?
Would you follow me, please?

reality: I wish I had more free time.
If I still l
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