You've saved 3 cards. Log in so they don't get lost. You've explored 10 words. Log in to keep your cards and progress.

Log in

← Grammar reference

MODALITY

Would

Would is for wishes, polite questions and imagined situations. One form for every person, and the verb after it is always the base form.

I / you / he / she / it / we / they
+I would go
−I wouldn't go
?Would you go?

Short forms: I'd · you'd · she'd · After would the verb is base form: would go, not would goes · Past: would have + past participle

A1

I'd like and Would you like

New

Use would like for something you want, and Would you like to offer something politely. It is more polite than want.

subject+ would like+ noun / to + verb

  • I'd like a cup of tea.
  • Would you like to come with us?
  • I would like drink tea.
  • I would like to drink tea.

Quick Check

1/4

Type the answer

I would a table for two.

A2

Would love, prefer and rather

New

Use would love, would prefer and would rather to say what you like best. Would rather is followed by the base verb, without to.

subject+ would love / prefer / rather+ verb

  • I'd love to see that film.
  • I'd rather stay at home.
  • I would rather to stay at home.
  • I would rather stay at home.

Quick Check

1/4

Type the answer

I would tea to coffee.

A2

Imagined situations

New

Use would + base verb to say what you imagine or what you would do. The verb after would never changes.

subject+ would+ base verb

  • I would travel more.
  • It would be nice to live by the sea.
  • I would bought a big house.
  • I would buy a big house.

Quick Check

1/4

Type the answer

If we lived here, we walk to work.

B1

Polite requests

New

Use Would you + base verb to ask someone politely. Would you mind + -ing is even more polite.

Would+ you+ base verb

  • Would you open the window, please?
  • Would you mind waiting a moment?
  • Would you mind to wait a moment?
  • Would you mind waiting a moment?

Quick Check

1/4

Type the answer

you open the door, please?

B1

Would have + past participle

New

Use would have + past participle for something that did not happen in the past: what you would have done.

subject+ would have+ past participle

  • I would have called you, but I lost my phone.
  • She wouldn't have gone without him.
  • I would have call you, but my phone died.
  • I would have called you, but my phone died.

Quick Check

1/4

Choose the form

I   known.

B1

I'd say, I'd recommend

New

Use would with say, advise, recommend and suggest to sound less direct.

I+ would+ say / advise / recommend

  • I'd say it's too expensive.
  • I would recommend the fish.
  • I would says it's too expensive.
  • I would say it's too expensive.

Quick Check

1/4

Type the answer

I would you to take a taxi.