New answers tagged modal-verbs
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What is the difference between the form with "would" and with no "would?"
The implied hypothetical is "if I encountered such a phrase" or "if I were considering such a phrase".
The reason for the irrealis even when said condition is factual is that it ...
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How does "would" fuction in this sentence?
Would can be used when suggesting a possibility. B suggests a way of asking the question that they think is as natural as the three alternatives given by A. It's a form of the conditional tense - &...
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may as well vs. may well
If you may well do X, it's likely that you will do X (well is an intensifier for may).
We often say you may as well do X in contexts where the alternatives are to do X or to do Y. The "literal&...
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Accepted
I knew I would enjoy the music. or I knew I should enjoy the music
In modern British English, "would" is acceptable and more common. Using "should" would lead to potential confusion with the "ought to" sense of "should", and ...
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She wouldn’t change it, A or B (main clause is vague)
Context would allow us to determine whether it was a past tense story or speculation that we're hearing.
"I asked her to make the update, but she wouldn't change it!"
"She's already ...
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Can it happen to be an unconventional usage of "would+Perfect Infinitive"?
Sentence B is essentially the apodosis of a "third conditional" sentence. This requires that the protasis use the past perfect form and that the apodosis use the perfect form of the modal ...
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Accepted
"And now you will/would say that..."
Intended meanings:
1: And now you will say that they are going to see numbers and freak out, and you would obviously be right, but I am just trying to get my point across.
[That suggests I am coaching ...
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Why is "will" used in this sentence, not "would"?
The meaning of the sentence is this: I saw something in the museum, and I will never forget that thing.
If you use "would", a past verb, it means that "never forget" only happens ...
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Why is "will" used in this sentence, not "would"?
The fact that you "will never forget" is still true in the present; nothing between your time in the museum and the present time could have altered that fact. So typically you would not ...
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