THE USE OF MODAL "WOULD"

Dear Dr English,

I have for a long time wondered about the modal verb ''would'' because it is used in several contexts. Could you explain it in detail?

Sorrayut

The modal "would" is used in many different ways indeed. To avoid confusion as much as possible, since it is not the intention of this column, I will keep the explanation precise and clear.
First of all, "would" as we see from the form, past tense for "will", is used to talk about something that happened regularly in the past but does not happen any more.

Keith would wake up four times a night for feeding. I'm happy he sleeps through the night now.

For actions and events that were possible in the past, even though they did not really happen, we use "would have" to explain them.

I would have bought that handbag if the shopkeeper offered a bigger discount.

In stories, when it talks about someone's thoughts about the future, we also use "would" in the sentence.

Laura thought to herself how happy she would feel coming home after a long time working in the city.

In conditional clause, "would" is used in a situation you know does not exist. You use "would " in the main clause and past simple tense, past continuous or "could" in the conditional clause.

If I had an MPV truck, I would go camping every weekend.
If my mother was coming to see us, she would let us know.
If I could choose, I would rather work from home.

"Would" is also used in reported speech.
The police officer asked if the old lady would be able to give her account on the accident.

We can use "would" to make a request.
Would you get me some drink, please?

Also, to offer and to invite;
Would you like a cup of coffee?
Would you like to come for dinner this Saturday? We'll have a barbecue in the backyard.

Do not let the long explanation above discourage you, if you study it carefully, you will see that in most cases "would" concerns with future in the past or a past habit. The other situation is as a polite form to offer and to invite.

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