[Grammar] Most people nowadays would agree that a good pub is one of our best traditions.

[newkeenlearner]

Most people nowadays would agree that a good pub is one of our best traditions.

Can we say that the reason the writer used "would" in the sentence above is these two analysis?


If nowadays most people are asked about their opinion, they would argue that a good pub is one of our traditions.

And because they are not asked about this view, we can't say that "they will agree that..."

 

[emsr2d2]

Most people nowadays would agree that a good pub is one of our best traditions.

Can we say that the reason the writer used "would" in the sentence above is these two analyses?


If, nowadays​, most people [STRIKE]are[/STRIKE] were/were to be asked [STRIKE]about[/STRIKE] their opinion, they would [STRIKE]argue[/STRIKE] say that a good pub is one of our best traditions.

And because they are not asked about this view, we can't say that "they will agree that..." I don't understand the underlined part at all.

See above.

 

[newkeenlearner]

Clearly if they are not asked about their view on this issue, a pollster cannot determine whether they agree or do not agree.

Thanks. So why did the writer use "would"? the use of would and nowadays is weird here.

 

[newkeenlearner]

I don't understand the underlined part at all.

I want to know if these two sentences are equivalent or not. I am just trying to understand why the writer used "would" in the first sentence.

Most people nowadays would agree that a good pub is one of our best traditions.
If, nowadays​, most people were asked their opinion, they would say/agree that a good pub is one of our best traditions.

 

[Raymott]

The writer used 'would' because he hasn't asked anyone. He's making an assumption.

I'm not so keen on "A good pub is one of our best traditions." 'Tradition' usually refers to an activity or event - something people do.