Kotfor
Member
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2011
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Ukrainian
- Home Country
- Belarus
- Current Location
- Ukraine
As far as I know "would" can express probability in the past.
Example
That happened a long time ago. I would be (was probably) about twenty at the time.
What I'd like to know is
1) Is it only used with the verb "to be"?
Is it fine to say: I don't remember what happened next. They would probably go away. (meaning I think it is very possible that they went away.)
2) Is it ok to use it in a negative sentence?
He wouldn't be twenty at the time. (meaning He was unlikely to be 20 at that time.
Example
That happened a long time ago. I would be (was probably) about twenty at the time.
What I'd like to know is
1) Is it only used with the verb "to be"?
Is it fine to say: I don't remember what happened next. They would probably go away. (meaning I think it is very possible that they went away.)
2) Is it ok to use it in a negative sentence?
He wouldn't be twenty at the time. (meaning He was unlikely to be 20 at that time.
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