Page 654 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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would and will
Would is used as a softer, less definite form of will (see 629), or in some cases
as the past of will. indirect speech
In indirect speech, would is used after past reporting verbs where will was used in direct speech. For details, see 275.
DIRECT SPEECH: Tomorrow will befine.
INDIRECT SPEECH: The forecast said the next day would be fine. Would itself does not usually change in indirect speech (see 278).
DIRECT SPEECH: Would you like some help? INDIRECT SPEECH: She asked ifI would like some help.
future in the past
Would is also used to express the idea of 'future in the past' - to talk about a past action which had not yet happened at the time we are talking about. For details, see 221.
In Berlin, he first met the woman whom he would one day marry. There was a chance that my letter would arrive in time.
interpersonal uses
Would is used in polite requests and offers as a softer fonn of will. Would you open the window, please?
Ifyou would come this way . ..
Would you mind standing up for a moment?
Would you like tea, or would you prefer coffee? past willingness and refusals
Would can refer to past willingness of a general kind, but not to willingness to do something on a particular past occasion. Compare:
She would hoover, dust and iron, but she didn't like doing windows.
She agreed to come and see me. (NOT She W8Ulti e8,ne and see rile.)
But would not can be used to refer to a refusal on a particular past occasion.
I asked him very politely, but he wouldn't tell me. The car wouldn't start again this morning.
For present refusals with will not I IIIOn't. see 629.4. typical behaviour
Would is used as the past of will (see 629.7) to talk about typical behaviour in the past.
When she was old, she would sit in the corner talking to herselffor hours. Sometimes he would bring me little presents without saying why.
On Sundays when I was a child we would all get up early and go fishing.
Sentences with stressed would can be used to criticise people's behaviour. He was a nice boy, but he wouw talk about himselfall the time.
Stressed would can also be used to criticise a single past action - the meaning is 'that's typical of you'.
You WOULD tell Mary about the party - I didn't want to invite her.
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would: various uses 633
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