Forum newsfeeds
Forum Newsfeeds


Sites for Teachers

Sites for Teachers


Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > Ask a Teacher

Notices

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 01-Jul-2005, 20:21
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2
First Language: Chinese
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Kaka is on a distinguished road
Default "Would"

Hi ^^
I am a newbie to this forum, and here is my first question ^^;

I am wondering what tense should I stick with if I use the word "would" in my writing. I was told to be careful when I use this word........Like, if I say
"I would prefer to go to Canada beacause Canada is a nice place"
I am lost because "would" is in past tense and "is" in present tense......
and Canada is STILL a nice place............

or is it all right to have both past tense and present tense in a sentence?
I am always very confuse about "would"......

Last edited by Kaka; 01-Jul-2005 at 20:29.
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 01-Jul-2005, 21:09
Key Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Country: USA
Posts: 1,810
Current Location: North Carolina
First Language: English
Thanks: 0
Thanked 39 Times in 36 Posts
mykwyner is on a distinguished road
Default Re: "Would"

In English, the words must, will, would, shall, should, may, might, can, could, ought [to], and need [to] are known as modal auxilliaries. These are words that add different degrees of necessity, possibility, willingness, obligation or ability to the main verb. It is the tense of the main verb that determines the tense of the sentence.
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 02-Jul-2005, 12:01
Casiopea's Avatar
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Country: Canada
Posts: 12,997
Current Location: China
First Language: English
Thanks: 0
Thanked 16 Times in 16 Posts
Casiopea is on a distinguished road
Default Re: "Would"

Welcome, Kaka.

Below are the various meanings of would. Which do you feel fits your example sentence best?

1. past tense of will in reported speech
EX: Pat said they would be back later.

2. a condition
EX: You would have loved the movie we rented.

3. a habitual act
EX: Max would water the plants every Tuesday.

4. polite request
EX: Would you like some coffee?

5. probability
EX: Sam would (probably) be manager by now.

6. consent
EX: They would not let us in the store!
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 02-Jul-2005, 15:25
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2
First Language: Chinese
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Kaka is on a distinguished road
Default Re: "Would"

Hello Everyone ^^;)/ *waving back*
Thank you for all the replies

Hmmm..................I am guessing it's a condition.....?
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
quotwouldquot

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
usage of "would" Anonymous Ask a Teacher 1 25-Oct-2004 10:05


New To Site? Need Help?

All times are GMT. The time now is 20:51.


vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.2.0 RC5
Copyright © 2002 - 2008 UsingEnglish.com