Uses of Would

Would

• Talking about the past
• Talking about possibilities (conditional)
• For opinions, wishes, hopes

Conditional would

In the past

In the present

My roommate would have gone to the Little 500 race if the tickets were cheaper.

If I won the lottery, I would buy books and ice cream.

She would have called me if she had remembered it was my birthday.

If I am tired when I get home, I will take a nap.

If the women’s race on Friday were to be rained out, the schedule would shift to a 10 a.m. start Saturday for the women’s race and 2 p.m. start the same day for the men’s race. If the men’s race on Saturday needs to be postponed instead, the women’s race would be moved to 10 a.m. on Sunday if necessary, and the men would race at 2 p.m. Sunday. ~What happens if weather delays the Little 500 races

Would used for Possibility (Conditional) and Questions

I will not eat green eggs and ham

How would you tell someone else what I said?

He said he would not eat green eggs and ham. Would used for reported speech

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

Using would to talk about the past

Something you used to do

Talking about the future in the past(Things that had not happened yet)

As a child, I would hunt for Easter eggs, but now I am too old.

I thought I would be on time, but I was late. Once when he was sick, my brother ate cheesy mashed potatoes, and he would never want to eat them again.

In college, on Friday nights, my friends and I would hangout and play games.

Rewrite in the past tense

Would (have) in the past

1. As I child, I __________ (go) to the park every week.
2. If I had remembered, I ________ (do) my homework.
3. If my mom had not had children, she _________ (travel) more.
4. My brother _________ (play) with Legos when he was younger.
5. My family ________ (eat) dinner earlier when I was a child.

1. I would come if I had time, but I don't.
2. My brother would eat the food if there are no mushrooms.
3. My friend would be on time but she has work.

What would it take to be the best?

What characteristics would someone need to be the best tennis player?

What characteristics would it take to be the best football player?

Would someone have to be the strongest?Be faster than everyone else? Would they have the most stamina? Have the best coordination? Would anyone be able to beat them in a competition? Does everyone need to be balanced or flexible to be good at a sport?

If somebody wanted to be the best, how would they have to improve?

Would you rather

Would you rather questions

Would you rather be a professional athlete or a famous actor? If you could time travel, would you rather visit the past or visit the future?

Would you rather live on the moon or at the bottom of the ocean?