25 Would: Modals of Ability
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Introduction
A modal verb is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that has no meaning on its own but modifies the main verb, changes its meaning and gives more detail about the action.
The verb would is a modal verb used to express willingness in the past, polite request, preferences/desires, offers and invitations.
Form
The modal verb would is used as an auxiliary verb and has three forms:
Affirmative
Its structure, in the affirmative form, is:
Subject + would + verb + …
- The short form affirmative of would is ‘d.
| Subject | would | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| I | would | work |
| You | would | work |
| He | would | work |
| She | would | work |
| It | would | work |
| We | would | work |
| You | would | work |
| They | would | work |
Negative
Its structure, in the negative form, is:
Subject + would+ not + verb + …
- Short form of the negative form is wouldn’t.
| Subject | would + not | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| I | would not | work |
| You | would not | work |
| He | would not | work |
| She | would not | work |
| It | would not | work |
| We | would not | work |
| You | would not | work |
| They | would not | work |
Interrogative
Its structure, in the interrogative form, is:
Would + subject + verb + …?
| Would | Subject | Verb | Question Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Would | I | work | …? |
| Would | you | work | …? |
| Would | he | work | …? |
| Would | she | work | …? |
| Would | it | work | …? |
| Would | we | work | …? |
| Would | you | work | …? |
| Would | they | work | …? |
Example
- Willingness in the past
- She would play the piano
- She wouldn’t play the piano.
- Would she play the piano?
- Polite request
- Would you open the window, please?
- Preferences/ desires
- I would like to have some coffee.
- Offers and invitations
- Would you come to my party?
Use
We use would to express:
- Willingness in the past: to be able to do something in the past;
- Polite requests: to make polite requests;
- Preferences/desires: to talk about preferences or desires;
- Offers and invitations: to make an offer or to invite someone.
Summary
The modal verb would expresses willingness in the past, polite request, preferences/desires, offers and invitations.
The structures are:
- Affirmative: Subject + would+ verb + …
- Negative: Subject + would+ not + verb + …
- Interrogative: Would + subject + verb + …?
For example:
— Affirmative: “She would play the piano.”
— Negative: “She wouldn’t play the piano.”
— Interrogative: “Would she play the piano?”
NOTE: The form is always the same, even for the third person singular.
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.
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