would

[ wood; unstressed wuhd ]

/ wʊd; unstressed wəd /

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auxiliary verb

a simple past tense and past participle of will¹.

(used to express the future in past sentences): He said he would go tomorrow.

(used in place of will, to make a statement or form a question less direct or blunt): That would scarcely be fair. Would you be so kind?

(used to express repeated or habitual action in the past): We would visit Grandma every morning up at the farm.

(used to express an intention or inclination): Nutritionists would have us all eat whole grains.

(used to express an uncertainty): It would appear that he is guilty.

(used in conditional sentences to express choice or possibility): They would come if they had the fare. If the temperature were higher, the water would evaporate.

would have, (used with a past participle to express unfulfilled intention or preference): I would have saved you some but Jimmy took it all.

verb (used with object)

(used to express a wish): Would he were here!

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about would

would like, (used to express desire): I would like to go next year.

would rather. rather (def. 9).

Origin of would

First recorded before 900; Middle English would, wald(e), wold(e), wuld(e), Old English wolde, walde;see origin at will¹

words often confused with would

See should.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH would

1. will, would 2. should, would (see confusables note at should)

Words nearby would

wot, Wotan, wotcher, Wotton, Wouk, would, would-be, wouldn't, wouldn't dream of, would rather, wouldst

Other definitions for would (2 of 2)

would²

[ wohld ]

/ woʊld /

noun

weld².

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use would in a sentence

But on Thursday Boxer triggered a Golden State political earthquake, announcing that she would not seek a fifth term in 2016.
The Golden State Preps for the ‘Red Wedding’ of Senate Races|David Freedlander|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
To those who agreed with him, Bush pledged that the law against same-sex marriage would remain intact.
Jeb Bush’s Unseen Anti-Gay Marriage Emails|Jackie Kucinich|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It would became one of the first great mysteries in the United States of America, as it was only then 23 years old.
New York’s Most Tragic Ghost Loves Minimalist Swedish Fashion|Nina Strochlic|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Without it, they say, the disease would surely kill her within two years.
Should Teens Have The Right To Die?|Brandy Zadrozny|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Almost all of the network and cable news channels said that they would not be showing the cartoons either.
Politicians Only Love Journalists When They're Dead|Luke O’Neil|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
"Capital, capital," his lordship would remark with great alacrity, when there was no other way of escape.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Bessires was included because he would never win it at any later date, but his doglike devotion made him a priceless subordinate.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
You would not think it too much to set the whole province in flames so that you could have your way with this wretched child.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
He was voluble in his declarations that they would “put the screws” to Ollie on the charge of perjury.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
And she would be wearing some of the jewels with the white dress—just a few, not many, of course.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson

British Dictionary definitions for would

would

/ (wʊd, unstressed wəd) /

verb (takes an infinitive without to or an implied infinitive)

used as an auxiliary to form the past tense or subjunctive mood of will 1

(with you, he, she, it, they, or a noun as subject) used as an auxiliary to indicate willingness or desire in a polite mannerwould you help me, please?

used as an auxiliary to describe a past action as being accustomed or habitualevery day we would go for walks

I wishwould that he were here

undefined would

See should

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with would

would

In addition to the idioms beginning with would

would rather
would that

also see:

as luck would have it
fly on the wall, would like to be a

Also see underwouldn't.

would

Idioms about would

Origin of would

words often confused with would

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH would

Words nearby would

Other definitions for would (2 of 2)

Words related to would

How to use would in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for would

undefined would

Other Idioms and Phrases with would