Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 36 · B1

would

Would imagines what is not real, and would have imagines what did not happen. It is also the past of will, the refusal in wouldn't, and the habit in when we were small we would ...

Start the lesson

14Steps · about 24 minutes

In this lesson

Imagining: would and would haveA5 screens of questions
will and would; would as the past of will; refusalsB2 screens of questions
would for things that happened regularlyC2 screens of questions

Point A of 3

Imagining: would and would have

We use would ('d) and wouldn't to imagine a situation or action, something that is not real.

We use would have (done) to imagine something that did not happen in the past.

Would often turns up in sentences with if (see Units 38 to 40).

Now (would do) Past (would have done)
I'd ring Imran, but I haven't got his number. I'd have rung Imran, but I didn't have his number.
I'm not inviting them. They wouldn't come anyway. I didn't invite them. They wouldn't have come anyway.
I'd ring Imran if I had his number. I'd have rung Imran if I'd had his number.
  • It would be lovely to have a conservatory, but we can't afford one.
  • I'd love to live in the Lake District.
  • "Shall I tell Fiona?" "No, I wouldn't say anything." (in your position)
  • The neighbours were fantastic after the flood. Heaven knows how we'd have coped without them.
  • Shame you missed the gig. You'd have loved it.
  • I didn't tell Dad. He wouldn't have been pleased.

Point A · Exercise 36.1

Write sentences about yourself. Imagine things you would or would not like.

  1. Example

    (somewhere you'd love to spend a year)

    I'd love to spend a year in New Zealand.

    Example answerI'd love to spend a year in New Zealand.

  2. (work you'd hate to do)

  3. (something you would love to do)

  4. (something it would be lovely to own)

  5. (a country you'd like to visit)

Point A · Exercise 36.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with would and one of these verbs, in the right form: be, be, do, do, enjoy, enjoy, have, stop.

Use these

bebedodoenjoyenjoyhavestop

  1. Example

    The neighbours were fantastic after the flood. Heaven knows how we would have coped without them.

    AnswerThe neighbours were fantastic after the flood. Heaven knows how we would have coped without them.

  2. You should go and see the exhibition. I think you it.

  3. Shame you couldn't make the quiz last night. You it.

  4. Shall I take the job in Aberdeen or not? What in my position?

  5. I was in a rush when I saw you. Otherwise I to chat.

Point A · Exercise 36.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with would and one of these verbs, in the right form: be, be, do, do, enjoy, enjoy, have, stop.

Use these

bebedodoenjoyenjoyhavestop

  1. We got the bus into town, but it sat in traffic for forty minutes. It quicker to walk.

  2. Why don't you pop in and see your nan? She delighted to see you.

  3. In an ideal world, everyone a decent home.

Point A · Exercise 36.3 · part 1 of 2

Match each sentence on the left with the sentence that follows it.

Use these

  1. It wouldn't have been much fun.
  2. It would have been brilliant.
  3. It would be amazing.
  4. It won't be much fun.
  5. It wouldn't be very pleasant.
  6. It'll be a laugh.

  1. Example

    I'd love to go to Japan one day.

    c

    AnswerI'd love to go to Japan one day. It would be amazing.

  2. I wouldn't like to live next to a motorway.

  3. I'm sorry the festival was cancelled.

  4. I'm looking forward to the works do on Friday.

  5. I'm glad we didn't go camping in that storm.

Point A · Exercise 36.3 · part 2 of 2

Match each sentence on the left with the sentence that follows it.

Use these

  1. It wouldn't have been much fun.
  2. It would have been brilliant.
  3. It would be amazing.
  4. It won't be much fun.
  5. It wouldn't be very pleasant.
  6. It'll be a laugh.

  1. I'm dreading the coach trip.

Point B of 3

will and would; would as the past of will; refusals

Compare will ('ll), for what is going to happen, with would ('d), for what would happen if things were different.

Sometimes would and wouldn't are simply the past of will and won't, typically in reported promises.

Somebody wouldn't do something means they refused. Machines refuse too, usually at the worst moment.

  • I'll stay a bit longer. I'm in no rush.
  • I'd love another coffee, but I've got a train to catch. (so I can't)
  • "I'll ring you on Sunday." Connor said he'd ring me on Sunday.
  • "I promise I won't be late." Ella promised she wouldn't be late.
  • "Oh no, the car won't start." Jo was fuming because her car wouldn't start.
  • I told her the shop was closed, but she wouldn't believe me. (she refused)

Point B · Exercise 36.4

Write sentences with promised + would or wouldn't.

  1. Example

    Where's Leah? It's half past and she swore she wouldn't be late.

    AnswerWhere's Leah? It's half past and she swore she wouldn't be late.

  2. I wonder why Darren hasn't texted. He promised .

  3. Why did you tell Lucy what I said? You promised .

  4. It's odd that they left without us. They told us .

Point B · Exercise 36.5

Complete the sentences with wouldn't and a suitable verb.

  1. Example

    I told her the shop was closed, but she wouldn't believe me.

    AnswerI told her the shop was closed, but she wouldn't believe me.

  2. I asked Gemma what had happened, but she me.

  3. Rhys was furious about what I'd said, and he to me for a fortnight.

  4. Nan insisted on carrying all her own shopping. She me help her.

Point C of 3

would for things that happened regularly

Would can describe things that happened regularly in the past. With this meaning it is close to used to (see Unit 18).

  • When we were kids we lived near Scarborough. In summer, if it was fine, we would all go down to the beach before breakfast.
  • Whenever Grandad lost at dominoes, he would accuse everyone of cheating.
  • Whenever Grandad lost at dominoes, he used to accuse everyone of cheating.

Point C · Exercise 36.6 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with would and one of these verbs: forget, shake, share, smile, stay, walk.

Use these

forgetshakesharesmilestaywalk

  1. Example

    Whenever Grandad lost at cards, he would stomp off to the garden in a huff.

    AnswerWhenever Grandad lost at cards, he would stomp off to the garden in a huff.

  2. We used to live next to the railway. Every time a freight train went past, the windows .

  3. Auntie Val was kindness itself. Money was tight, but she her last biscuit with you.

  4. You could never rely on Craig. However many times you reminded him, he .

  5. When we were little we went to Filey every summer. We there all day, building sandcastles.

Point C · Exercise 36.6 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with would and one of these verbs: forget, shake, share, smile, stay, walk.

Use these

forgetshakesharesmilestaywalk

  1. Mrs Hughes was always friendly. Whenever I passed her, she and say hello.

Lesson 36 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: can/could/would you ... ? etc. (Requests, offers, permission and invitations)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Imagining: would and would have–Not checkedB. will and would; would as the past of will; refusals–Not checkedC. would for things that happened regularly–Not checked