"Will" would make no sense. That would mean I don’t ...

[Kontol]

Could you explain how "would' works in B's sentence?

A: Could "would" be substitued to "will" in this sentence?
"I would take it to mean..."

B: "Will" would make no sense. That would mean I don’t take it to mean that at the moment, but I will in the future!

 

[emsr2d2]

Imagine it as "If you put "will" in that sentence, it would make no sense".

 

[Kontol]

Imagine it as "If you put "will" in that sentence, it would make no sense".

Why not say "if you putted...?"

 

[emsr2d2]

Why not say "if you putted...?"

Because the simple past of "put" is "put". It's an irregular verb. The word "putted" is the past simple of the verb "putt" (a golf term).

 

[Kontol]

Could you explain what "indirect' is? I understand its meaning, but I don't know what it's related to "would." Is it the same as "hypothetical?" My English grammar book explains that we use “I would [suggest, think, imagine, hope, like, hate, etc…]” all the time in English as a slightly indirect, and often more polite, way of expressing how we feel or think about something.

 

[jutfrank]

In the context of using 'would' in this way, indirectness relates to the idea of conveying thoughts, opinions, or desires in a polite, soft, or tentative manner. It allows a speaker to express themselves with a degree of politeness, suggestion, or uncertainty, rather than being too forceful. Depending on the social dynamic, it can be used to maintain harmony, show respect, or avoid sounding overly authoritative.

I like to think of it as a way to keep a distance between you and the person you're talking to, or a distance between yourself and what you're saying.

 

[Kontol]

In the context of using 'would in this way, indirectness relates to the idea of conveying thoughts, opinions, or desires in a polite, soft, or tentative manner. It allows a speaker to express themselves with a degree of politeness, suggestion, or uncertainty, rather than being too forceful. Depending on the social dynamic, it can be used to maintain harmony, show respect, or avoid sounding overly authoritative.

I like to think of it as a way to keep a distance between you and the person you're talking to, or a distance between yourself and what you're saying.

Well, there are a number of phrases I have often seen native speakeer use "would".

I would understand that to be...
I would take it to mean...
I would interpret that as..

And each of these can also be said without using the word "would."

I understand that to be...
I take it to mean...
I interpret that as...

For example:
I would interpret that as...
I interpret that as...

Both are expressing an opinion/belief/thought that is not exact/precise/perfectly-known. There's some level of doubt or guesswork involved.

Then, what is the difference when you choose to add in the word "would" or choose not to add it?