26 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

  1. Offers and invitations
    • Would you like to come to my cousin’s party?
  2. Polite requests
    • Would you open the window, please? It’s hot today.
  3. Preferences/desires
    • I would like to have some coffee.
  4. Willingness in the past
    • She would stay with her Grandma during the summer. 
    • She wouldn’t stay in the city during summer.
    • Would she stay in the countryside during summer?

Use

We use would when we express:

  1. Offers and invitations: to make an offer or to invite someone;
  2. Polite requests: to make polite requests;
  3. Preferences/desires: to talk about preferences or desires;
  4. Willingness in the past: to be able to do something in the past.

Summary

The modal verb would expresses offers and invitations, polite request, preferences/desires and willingness in the past.

We can use it in its different forms:

  • Affirmative: We start with the subject followed by would and the verb.
  • Negative: We start with the subject followed by would not and the verb.
  • Interrogative: We start with would followed by the subject and the verb (the sentence ends with a question mark).

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.

Related

Besides Would, used to express willingness in the past, can is also a modal of ability used to express the idea of ability.

At A2 level, you can learn more about other model verbs which have different uses:

  • Must: express certainty, strong obligation comes from personal opinion.
  • Have to: express certainty, strong obligation comes from outside.
  • Should: express obligation and duty thorough advice.
  • Ought to: not be as strong as must.
  • May: express the possibility.

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