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JungKim Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Would you...? vs. Do you...?

In an American sitcom, a father says to his son (17 years old):

Now Donna just came through here looking very upset. Would you have any idea what that's about?

Why did the father use "would" here instead of "Do"?
  

Top answer

JungKim Why did the father use "would" here instead of "Do"? It is less direct.

— AlpheccaStars

  • JungKim Why did the father use "would" here instead of "Do"?
  • It is less direct.
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4 Answers
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JungKimWhy did the father use "would" here instead of "Do"?
It is less direct.
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AlpheccaStarsIt is less direct.
In context, what do you think caused him to use the "less direct" form?
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JungKimIn context, what do you think caused him to use the "less direct" form?
Fathers and their teenage sons sometimes have difficult relationships. It is the time of life that sons rebel against their family and want to assert independence.
So father probably did not want to incite a backlash.
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JungKimWhy did the father use "would" here instead of "Do"?
"Would" is gentler than "Do". The father doesn't want to use language that may seem to accuse the son of causing Donna to become upset. At the same time the father indicates that he believes that the son may well have something to do with her being upset.

We can indicate all kinds of levels
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