[Grammar] Would use. I would recommend OR I recommend.Seem or Would seem. Express uncertainty.

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saloom2

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Hello everyone,

I would like to ask whether those sentences differ in meaning.

1- I would recommend the film....
I recommend the film....

2-He would seem to be...
He seems to be....

3-I think John would be calling right know. To express uncertainty.

Actually, I'm just giving examples and these sentences are only to clarify the use of would.
 

Grumpy

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There is absolutely no difference in meaning or emphasis in your first two examples. Some people think it sounds more learned to insert the "would".

For 3), if you compare it with "I think John is calling right now", then it certainly does convey more uncertainty, but I would expect it to be expressed more often as "I think John should be calling right now".
 

saloom2

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For a start, thanks so much for your well clarification. But actually I have a problem and I hope you help me. When the writer uses "would" in the text given, I never understand what the would is used for due to its number of usages. For instance, "I would expect it to be expressed more..." I may have got it, though, and I think it is for opinion, but unfortunately it took me time to do it and in any other texts, it takes me ages to figure it out.
 

emsr2d2

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Imagine that before the part containing "would", there was an "if" clause.

[If you asked me], I would recommend that you do it like this.
[If I had to write it], I would write it without the apostrophe.
[If I had to suggest something], I would suggest that you separate your piece into clearer paragraphs.
 
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