would

would
/wUd/ verb (modal verb)
1 used instead of `will' to describe what someone has said, asked etc: They said they would meet us at 10.30 at the station.
2 used instead of `will' with a past tense verb or to show what is likely or possible: What would you do if you won a million pounds? | He said there had been a serious accident, but wouldn't give any details.
3 used to describe what someone used to do a lot or what used to happen a lot: When we worked in the same office, we would often have coffee together.
4 used to show disapproval when talking about someone's annoying habits or behaviour: You would go and spoil it, wouldn't you!
5 would rather used to say that you would prefer to do or have one thing rather than another thing: Which would you rather do, go to the cinema or go for a meal?
6 would you...?
a) used to express a polite request: Would you shut the window please?
b) used to express a polite offer or invitation: Would you like to have a meal with us tomorrow evening?
7 I would... spoken used to tell someone what you think they should do in a particular situation: I would ring Joe and explain that you can't see him tomorrow.
8 used before verbs that express what you think, feel, or suppose, to make your opinion or feeling less definite: I would imagine that the kids will stay with their grandparents.
9 would that... literary used to express a strong wish or desire: Would that we had seen her before she died.

Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • would — [ wud ] modal verb *** Would is usually followed by an infinitive without to : A picnic would be nice. Sometimes it is used without a following infinitive: They didn t do as much as they said they would. In conversation and informal writing,… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • would — W1S1 [wud] modal v negative short form wouldn t ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(past intentions/expectations)¦ 2¦(imagined situations)¦ 3¦(past habits)¦ 4¦(requesting)¦ 5¦(offering/inviting)¦ 6¦(what somebody wants)¦ 7¦(past purpose)¦ 8 would not …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • would — [wood] v.aux. [ME wolde < OE, pt. of willan, to wish, WILL1] 1. pt. of WILL2 [she said she would be finished before six, in those days we would talk for hours on end] 2. used to express a supposition or condition [he would write if he knew you …   English World dictionary

  • Would? — «Would?» Сингл Alice in Chains из альбома Dirt Выпущен 1992 Формат CD, винил, кассета Жанр гранж, хеви метал, альтернативный метал …   Википедия

  • Would — Would, imp. of {Will}. [OE. & AS. wolde. See {Will}, v. t.] Commonly used as an auxiliary verb, either in the past tense or in the conditional or optative present. See 2d & 3d {Will}. [1913 Webster] Note: Would was formerly used also as the past… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Would? — «Would?» Sencillo de Alice in Chains del álbum Dirt Grabación Marzo Mayo 1992 Género(s) Grunge, heavy metal, metal alternativo Duración 3:27 …   Wikipedia Español

  • would've — would’ve UK [ˈwʊdəv] US short form mainly spoken the usual way of saying ‘would have’ Thesaurus: short formshyponym * * * /ˈwʊdəv/ used as a contraction of would have I would ve picked you up from the airport if I had known you were coming …   Useful english dictionary

  • Would-be — a. Desiring or professing to be; vainly pretending to be; as, a would be poet. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Would — may refer to: * English modal auxiliary verb#Would *Would?, a 1992 song by the grunge group Alice in Chains …   Wikipedia

  • would-be — would ,be adjective only before noun * hoping or trying to do something: The would be thieves smashed a glass panel in the front door. would be diplomats/lawyers/referees …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • would-be — would′ be adj. 1) wishing or pretending to be: a would be wit[/ex] 2) intended to be: a would be kindness[/ex] • Etymology: 1250–1300 …   From formal English to slang

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