Would

The word would has a lot of jobs in English language. It's a modal auxiliary verb, which means it modifies other verbs to create different effects, such as too express:

Would

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat

polite requests

invitations or offers

repeated actions in the past

willingness in the past

hypothetical situations

conditional sentences

reported speech

opinions

talk about preferences; and, finally,

wishes

This time, we will focus in the first two uses. We use would to formulate, accept, and decline invitations and make a request in a formal context.

It comes after the subject and before the main verb in affirmative sentences.

Subject + would + main verb + complement Example: I would like a glass of water, please.

Subject + would not (wouldn’t) + main verb + complement Example: I would not eat spicy food at night.

In negative sentences we add not between would and the main verb.

Invitations

Structure:

Use it to make invitations or offers

Use it to make polite requests

Let's say you want to invite someone to come to your home for dinner or to play videogames. Since you're inviting them, not ordering them to come, you'll want to say it politely. Again, we use would.

Let's say you need someone to do something for you, like lending you a book or helping you with a task. Consider you are requesting their help and not demanding it, so you’ll want to phrase your request politely. This way it will sound courteous and respectful.

In interrogative sentences we put the modal verb would first, then the subject and then the main verb followed by the complement:

Structure:

Would you like a cup of coffee? Would + subject + verb (infinitive) +?

Would you like to come over for dinner tomorrow?Oh, that would be lovely!

Example:

Here the structure is would + you + like + to-infinitive verb + complement

1. Use it to make invitations or offers

There are two ways of answering: accept the invitation or decline the request.Invitations can be divided into formal and informal. In the next chart, there are some common expressions to make, accept or decline invitations, in formal or informal situations.

Making invitation

● Would you like to…? ● Would you …? ● Would you care to...?

Formal situation

Making invitation

● I would love to …… ● Thank you very much for the invitation ● That’s very kind of you ● That sounds great…. ● It’s a great idea

Making invitation

● I’d like to, but …. ● I’m sorry, I can’t…. ● Thank you for the invitation, but … ● Think I can´t. ● Unfortunately, I can’t

1. Use it to make invitations or offers

Return

Since it is essential to ask for things politely, if you say: "Open the door", to someone, you'll sound demanding and rude and is if you are giving an order. Can you identify the difference in the following examples?

2. Use it to make polite requests

Demanding

a. Open the door, please. b. Open it yourself!

Polite

4. Would you close the door, please? 5. Sure, I'd be happy to.

Return

People have, in daily life, social situations such as birthdays, graduations or wedding parties. Sometimes you want to go to some events such as musical concerts, sports matches, movies or only go to a restaurant or bar.

Common expressions used to make, accept or decline invitations using the modal auxiliary “would”

Most of the time, you and people don’t want to be alone at these activities. Therefore, you make or receive invitations.When you give somebody an invitation, you ask if he would like to go somewhere, do something or have something.

Would

References

Campos, M. (s. f.). Questions with would for the ESL classroom. Englishpost.org. https://englishpost.org/questions-with-would/Jesús Felipe Florido, J. (s. f.). Modal verbs: can, could, would, should. Unam.mx. https://avi.cuaieed.unam.mx/uapa/avi/ing_6/U_1/ing6_u1_t1/index.htmlWould. (s. f.). Oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/wouldBritish Council. (s. f.). https://www.britishcouncil.co/blog/aprende-ingles/modal-verbs#:~:text=Would%3A,taza%20de%20caf%C3%A9%2C%20por%20favor)

Observe more examples:

Would you like to join us for dinner tonight? 
Would you be interested in coming to the concert with us? 
Would you enjoy attending to the party next Saturday? 
Would you prefer to join us for a movie or game tonight? 
Would you like to be our guest at the theater performance?

Would

More creations to inspire you

TEN WAYS TO SAVE WATER

GRETA THUNBERG

FIRE FIGHTER

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES NOV DEBATE

STEVE JOBS

ONE MINUTE ON THE INTERNET

SITTING BULL

Transcript