Would that be a good idea

[emsr2d2]

[STRIKE]here[/STRIKE] In "If I were you, I'd go home now", 'were' is the past tense but the meaning of it isn't past. 'Would' acts like the 'were' in this sentence, right? [STRIKE]grammar[/STRIKE]

I don't understand your point. The sentence "If I were you, I'd go home now", uses the subjunctive "were". We are supposed to be talking about modals in this thread, aren't we?

"Would" is used in a lot of different constructions and it doesn't just have one "meaning".

Would you like a cup of tea?
Would you have any idea where the town hall is?
I would do that differently, if I were you.

 

[Barb_D]

Another way to think of it: IF we were to do this, would it be a good idea?