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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Would for present?
Do we use would for present tense? I've looked a the dictionary, but it says "past of will". I've noticed that many people use it for present tense such as: "Now would be a good time to set things right" or "During these times, it would be correct to be prudent". I just need clarification from the experts. Thanks.
Top answer
Would can be the past tense of will in a special meaning: When he was young he would take long walks at weekends. would means he used to take / he was in the habit of taking long walks... As for your examples, the sentences do indeed refer to the present time, but in those sentences would is usually not considered present tense by grammarians.
- Would can be the past tense of will in a special meaning: When he was young he would take long walks at weekends.
- would means he used to take / he was in the habit of taking long walks...
- As for your examples, the sentences do indeed refer to the present time, but in those sentences would is usually not considered present tense by grammarians.
- Would be is regarded as present conditional in Scandinavian grammar books, and it may refer to the present or even to the future.
- The use of the perfect infinitive with would refers to the past: It would have been easy.
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1 Answers
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Would can be the past tense of will in a special meaning: When he was young he would take long walks at weekends.
would means he used to take / he was in the habit of taking long walks...
As for your examples, the sentences do indeed refer to the present time, but in those sentences would is usually not considered present tense
would means he used to take / he was in the habit of taking long walks...
As for your examples, the sentences do indeed refer to the present time, but in those sentences would is usually not considered present tense
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