would

¹

[wood, wuhd]

auxiliary verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of will.

2. (used to express the future in past sentences).

   He said he would go tomorrow.

3. (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?

4. (used to express repeated or habitual action in the past).

   We would visit Grandma every morning up at the farm.

5. (used to express an intention or inclination).

   Nutritionists would have us all eat whole grains.

6. (used to express an uncertainty).

   It would appear that he is guilty.

7. (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.

8. 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)

1. (used to express a wish).

   Would he were here!

would

²

[wohld]

noun

1. weld.

would

/ wʊd, wəd /

verb

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

2. used as an auxiliary to indicate willingness or desire in a polite manner

   would you help me, please?

3. used as an auxiliary to describe a past action as being accustomed or habitual

   every day we would go for walks

4. I wish

   would that he were here

Confusables Note

See should.

Word History and Origins

Origin of would¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English would, wald(e), wold(e), wuld(e), Old English wolde, walde; will ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. would like, (used to express desire).

   I would like to go next year.

2. would rather. rather.

More idioms and phrases containing would

• as luck would have it
• fly on the wall, would like to be a
• wouldn't

Example Sentences

How would you describe the experience of coming to that conclusion?

From Los Angeles Times

She announced she would delay six concerts at Caesars Palace scheduled for December, but did not share additional information about her condition at the time.

From Los Angeles Times

Her emotive alto would soon carry well beyond Brazil’s borders; the band landed a coveted gig for NPR’s Tiny Desk series in 2018.

From Los Angeles Times

Asked whether Grijalva flying in her family would prompt him to swear her in, Johnson insisted that Congress hasn’t yet scheduled the ceremony because it’s in pro forma.

From Salon

The intention was that they would go to work in hospitals to support acutely ill patients but some were sent to do administration, to deliver parcels and to answer telephones, the inquiry heard.

From BBC