036 : would

   A   

We use would ('d) / wouldn't when we imagine a situation or action (= we think of something that is not real):

• It would be nice to buy a new car, but we can't afford it.
• I'd love to live by the sea.
• A: Shall I tell Chris what happened?
  B: No, I wouldn't say anything. (= I wouldn't say anything in your situation)

 

 

We use would have (done) when we imagine situations or actions in the past (= things that didn't happen):

• They helped us a lot. I don't know what we'd have done without their help.
  (we'd have done = we would have done) 
• I didn't tell Sam what happened. He wouldn't have been pleased.

 

 

Compare would (do) and would have (done):

• I would call Lisa, but I don't have her number. (now)
  I would have called Lisa, but I didn't have her number. (past)
• I'm not going to invite them to the party. They wouldn't come anyway.
  I didn't invite them to the party. They wouldn't have come anyway.

 

 

We often use would in sentences with if (see Units 38-40):

• I would call Lisa if I had her number.
• I would have called Lisa if I'd had her number.  (I'd had = I had had)

 

 

   B   

Compare will ('ll) and would ('d):

• I'll stay a little longer. I've got plenty of time.
  I'd stay a little longer, but I really have to go now. (so I can't stay longer)
• I'll call Lisa. I have her number.
  I'd call Lisa, but I don't have her number. (so I can't call her)

 

 

Sometimes would/wouldn't is the past of will/won't. Compare:

 

present		past
TOM :   I'll call you on Sunday.	-->	Tom said he'd call me on Sunday.
AMY :   I promise I won't be late.	-->	Amy promised that she wouldn't be late.
LISA :   Damn! The car won't start.	-->	Lisa was annoyed because her car wouldn't start.

 

Somebody wouldn't do something = he/she refused to do it:

• I tried to warn him, but he wouldn't listen to me. (= he refused to listen)
• The car wouldn't start. (= it 'refused' to start)

 

 

   C   

You can also use would to talk about things that happened regularly in the past:

• When we were children, we lived by the sea. In summer, if the weather was fine, we would all get up early and go for a swim. (= we did this regularly)
• Whenever Richard was angry, he would walk out of the room.

 

With this meaning, would is similar to used to (see Unit 18):

• Whenever Richard was angry, he used to walk out of the room.

 

 

 

 

※ pleased :

 

 

 

※ annoyed :

 

 

 

※ refuse :