Would/Will

It's an implied conditional in that it is a polite or hesitant form. (I am presuming that the context is the same, of course-- both at the same time, e.g. looking at a photo now.)

Mister MicawberIt's an implied conditional in that it is a polite or hesitant form

Hi, and thanks.

Could you explain this please? What would be an example of an if clause that could follow the topic sentence with would?

I think we have done this before-- either that, or I've done it so many times I've forgotten who I did it with.

Some of them would be from the same family.[if I could state my understanding/belief/etc]

Ok, thank you!

So whenever there is an sense of uncertainty or politeness is expressed, you believe it is a 'would' condit

As long as the 'would' form is not referring to the past, yes. I just find that it is a cleaner explanation for the 'polite' forms (would, could) of certainty or hesitancy or modesty or whatever is being injected.

(That's not to say that the texts won't have another explanation, of course.)

Thanks:

And so do these show varying levels of certainty?

Some of them would be from the same family=uncertain (implied conditional 'would')

Some of them will be from the same family=probably (NOT a conditional)

Some of them are from the same family=fact

Basically, yes. We could waffle about terminology-- I think 'would' is 'slighty less certain'. It contains elements of hesitancy and courtesy in varying measure.