- pronunciation:
- wUd
- phrases:
- would like
- features:
- Note, Homophone Note
| part of speech: |
verb |
| definition 1: |
"Would" has the meaning of the word "will," but we use it when we are talking about something in the past.
I asked my brother if he would play a game with me, and he said he would play later. |
| definition 2: |
We often use "would" when we talk about some action or situation that we only imagine.
If I could choose one magic power, I would choose the power to fly.If my dad had a lot of money, I'm sure he would buy a boat.I would name my dog "Max" if I had a dog. |
| definition 3: |
We also use "would" when we ask certain polite questions or make a request.
Would you like to sit down?Would you please stop making that noise? |
| definition 4: |
"Would" is used to describe someone's typical behavior in the past or some typical thing that used to happen in the past.
When I was little and got really sick, my grandmother would always read stories to me while I was in bed.Our roof would always leak before we got it fixed. |
| phrase: |
would like |
would like or want?
Want is used to express, in an informal manner, a desire or need for something.
Would like is a more formal or polite way to express a desire or need for something. We also use
would like when we have a desire for something that we think is not likely to happen or is not planned. We use
want when we are more certain that something will happen.
Compare:
- Do you want some coffee? (informal)
- Would you like a cup of coffee? (formal, polite)
- I would like to go to Spain someday. (It's a wish that I have, but I don't know if it will ever happen.)
- Where do you want to go for your vacation? I want to go to Florida. (I will go somewhere, probably to Florida.)
The words
would and
wood (a hard material from trees) sound alike but have different meanings.