[Grammar] At my age I would find it hard to get another job.

[kadioguy]

At my age I would find it hard to get another job.

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/find
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What does the 'would' here mean? Is it the case?

'Would' sometimes expresses the idea that this is the kind of behaviour that one expects in the circumstances. It often has disapproving overtones.

A The minister has denied taking bribes.
B: Well he would, wouldn't he?

https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/...-five-stars!?p=1647089&viewfull=1#post1647089

 

[tedmc]

"Would" in the sentence means "am likely to". It is neutral; there is no disapproving overtones.

 

[emsr2d2]

The original sentence needs a comma after "age".

 

[GoesStation]

The original sentence needs a comma after "age".

As a comma minimalist I'd say the comma is optional.

 

[kadioguy]

The original sentence needs a comma after "age".

As a comma minimalist I'd say the comma is optional.

Could you tell me why? How can I decide whether it needs a comma in this kind of sentence?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Could you tell me why? How can I decide whether it needs a comma in this kind of sentence?

Grammatically, it's a dependent clause, so it wants a comma.

However, leaving the comma out will not change the meaning. It will mean exactly the same thing with or without.

So most native speakers will consider the sentence correct either way.

In those situations, I find that British writers are slightly more likely to leave out commas than American writers. (Did you notice the one I just used?)

But it's just a matter of taste.

 

[kadioguy]

Grammatically, it's a dependent clause, so it wants a comma.

Did you mean to say 'it's a independent clause'?

 

[GoesStation]

At my age I would find it hard to get another job.

Could you tell me why? How can I decide whether it needs a comma in this kind of sentence?

It's a matter of flow and comprehensibility. A short clause is seen clearly as somewhat distinct from the rest of the sentence. Longer ones are harder to follow without a comma. For example: "At my age and in less-than-perfect health, I would find it hard to get another job." Here the comma makes it clear that my age and condition are part of the same thought.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Did you mean to say 'it's a independent clause'?

Oops! Grr! You got me! "At my age" is not a clause at all, because a clause has both a subject and verb.

The part that begins with I is an independent clause. As I understand it, it's independent because it would the same thing if you deleted "At my age." (That's why it wants a comma.)

So I just learned something. Thank you for keeping me on my toes!