With or without "would", what's the difference?

Question

I have been struggling with the "would" for quite a long time. I know most of the basic ideas of would. But there are too many "extended usages" that always confuse me.

I found this article from EnglishClub which is very helpful for understanding "would."

But still, I can't figure out what could be the difference without using the "would."

For example (sentence after the '→' is what I thought was "the same" meaning):

would for desire or inclination

• I'd love to live here. → I love to live here.
• Would you like some coffee? → Do you like some coffee?
• What I'd really like is some tea. → What I really like is some tea.

would for opinion or hope

• I would imagine that they'll buy a new one. → I can imagine that they'll buy a new one.
• I suppose some people would call it torture. → I suppose some people can call it torture.
• I would have to agree. → I have to agree.
• I would expect him to come. → I expect him to come.
• Since you ask me I'd say the blue one is best. → Since you ask me I have to say the blue one is best.

would for presumption or expectation

• That would be Jo calling. I'll answer it. → That must/will be Jo calling.
• We saw a police helicopter overhead yesterday morning. | Really? They would have been looking for those bank robbers. → Really? They may have been looking for those bank robbers.

I just can't understand WHY it should be "would" rather than other word or without using "would". What is the difference there?

I really wish there is some sort of "core concept" that can help me to understand "would" once and for all.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I think you have it down pretty good for the second and third categories. I would recommend a slight change in this one:

• I suppose some people would call it torture. →
  I suppose some people can might call it torture.

but other than that, I think you're getting the hang of it.

However, the first ones aren't equivalent at all – though I'm not sure if the faulty understanding is with would, or with the verbs like and love. Here's how I might paraphrase these:

• Would you like some coffee? → Do you like want some coffee?
• What I'd really like is some tea. → What I really like want is some tea.
• I'd love to live here. → I love to wish I could live here.

In these cases, would like is a lot like want, it describes what you are are wanting or craving at the moment, but do not have yet (or cannot attain for some reason).

Answer 2

Think indirectness or politeness when you encounter a would that as far as you can tell is not doing any useful grammatical work.