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Mina Uzun Posted 7 years ago
Vocabulary

"Would I have seen you in anything?"

Hi

Here's a dialogue.

J: Yeah, I'm an actor.

R: Wow! Would I have seen you in anything?

J: I doubt it. Mostly regional work.

My question is about the use of "Would". I think that it might be used to soften the impact or it may be a less direct way of saying "Have I seen you in anything?". But I'm not sure, though.

1.Could you please tell me how "Would" works in that context?

2. Could I say "Might I have seen you in anything?" instead? Does it give more or less the same meaning as original line?

Thanks in advance.

  

Top answer

". Less direct/definite, yes. " may feel too definite, since J cannot be expected to know for sure.

— GPY

  • ".
  • Less direct/definite, yes.
  • " may feel too definite, since J cannot be expected to know for sure.
  • Mina Uzun 2.
  • " instead?
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1 Answers
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Mina UzunI think that it might be used to soften the impact or it may be a less direct way of saying "Have I seen you in anything?".

Less direct/definite, yes. "Have I seen you in anything?" may feel too definite, since J cannot be expected to know for sure.

Mina Uzun2. Could I say "Might I have seen you in anything?" instead? Do
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