GRAMMAR: Choosing the right tenseYou usually use would in the main clause, and a past tense in the 'if' clause: I would be surprised if he agreed. Would-be · I would say · Would like · Would not

literaryWANT used to express a strong wish or desire SYN if only Would that we had seen her before she died.

More results · I would be glad if · that would be telling · would-be actor/murderer etc · chance would be a fine thing! · it might/would be as well · it is ...

a) used to say that you want something or want to do something → love I'd like a cheeseburger, please. would like to do something I'd like to see that film.

would've meaning, definition, what is would've: the short form of 'would have': Learn more.

spoken formal used to ask someone politely whether they want to do something. Would you care to join us for dinner?

could · You use could with the base form of the verb (=the infinitive without 'to'): The teacher said we could go home.He could be in his office. · You say ...

used to say that you would prefer to do or have something. I'd rather have a quiet night in front of the TV. We could eat later if you would rather do that.

used when asking politely if you can do or have something. Would it be possible to speak to Oliver? → possible

used when you are saying that you believe something is probably true. We'll need about 10 bottles of wine, I should think. I would have thought it would be ...