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Bamtori Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Would for speculation (Difference from the modal might)
Hi grammar experts,
I read on a grammar book for English teachers that the modal 'would' without the if-clause is used for speculation. So I looked up the meaning of the word 'speculation', and its basic meaning was guessing: to consider or discuss why something has happened or what might happen.(from Macmillandictionary.com). That got me thinking, 'Then what is the difference between the modal would and the modal might. Would anyone explain to me what is their difference? I would really appreciate any help. Thanks!!!
Examples of 'would' used for speculation:
Like childeren today Roman children at that time would have dressed and undressed their dolls.
I heard a police helicopter last night. They would have been searching the escaped prisoner.
I read on a grammar book for English teachers that the modal 'would' without the if-clause is used for speculation. So I looked up the meaning of the word 'speculation', and its basic meaning was guessing: to consider or discuss why something has happened or what might happen.(from Macmillandictionary.com). That got me thinking, 'Then what is the difference between the modal would and the modal might. Would anyone explain to me what is their difference? I would really appreciate any help. Thanks!!!
Examples of 'would' used for speculation:
Like childeren today Roman children at that time would have dressed and undressed their dolls.
I heard a police helicopter last night. They would have been searching the escaped prisoner.
Top answer
I heard a police helicopter last night. They would have been searching for the escaped prisoner. I heard a police helicopter last night.
- I heard a police helicopter last night.
- They would have been searching for the escaped prisoner.
- I heard a police helicopter last night.
- They might have been searching for the escaped prisoner.
- Judging from those 2 sentences, 'would' has much more confidence in its accuracy.
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1 Answers
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I heard a police helicopter last night. They would have been searching for the escaped prisoner.
I heard a police helicopter last night. They might have been searching for the escaped prisoner.
Judging from those 2 sentences, 'would' has much more confidence in its accuracy.
I heard a police helicopter last night. They might have been searching for the escaped prisoner.
Judging from those 2 sentences, 'would' has much more confidence in its accuracy.
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