Would (overview)
Would is an auxiliary verb, a modal auxiliary verb. We use
would mainly to:
- talk about the past
- talk about the future in the past
- express the conditional mood
We also use would for other functions, such as:
expressing desire, polite requests and questions, opinion or
hope, wish and regret...
Structure of Would
subject + would + main verb
The main verb is always
the bare infinitive (infinitive without "to").
subject
|
auxiliary verb
|
main verb
|
||
+
|
She
|
would
|
like
|
tea.
|
'd
|
||||
-
|
She
|
would not
|
like
|
whisky.
|
wouldn't
|
||||
?
|
Would
|
She
|
like
|
coffee?
|
Note:
Would is never
conjugated. It is always would or 'd (short form).
The main verb
is always the bare infinitive.
We cannot say:
I would to
like coffee.
Note:
Would
and had have the same short form 'd:
He'd finished. (He had
finished.)
He'd like coffee. (He
would like coffee.)