Significato di would in italiano

• 0 used to say what might happen if something else happens -- usato per esprimere quello che potrebbe accadere se qualcos’altro accade

  • What would you do if you lost your job? Che cosa faresti se tu perdessi il lavoro?

• 1 used as the past form of ‘will’ -- usato come passato semplice di “will”

  • Lottie promised that she would help. Lottie ha promesso di aiutare.

  • The car wouldn’t start this morning. Stamani non mi partiva la macchina.

• 2 used to talk about a situation that you can imagine happening -- usato per esprimere una situazione che si immagina possa accadere

  • It would be fun to go to New York. Sarebbe divertente andare a New York.

• 3 used to say politely that you want something -- usato per chiedere qualcosa gentilmente

  • I’d (= I would) like a cup of coffee, please. Vorrei un caffè per favore.

• 4 used to politely ask someone something -- usato per offrire gentilmente qualcosa a qualcuno

  • Would you bring me a glass of water, please? Mi potresti portare un bicchier d’acqua per favore?

• 5 past tense of will -- (ausiliare per la formazione del condizionale presente)

  • He said he would be leaving at nine o’clock the next morning

  • I asked if he’d come and mend my television set

  • I asked him to do it, but he wouldn’t

  • I thought you would have finished by now.

• 6 used in speaking of something that will, may or might happen (eg if a certain condition is met) -- (ausiliare per la formazione del condizionale presente)

  • If I asked her to the party, would she come?

  • I would have come to the party if you’d asked me

  • I’d be happy to help you.

• 7 used to express a preference, opinion etc politely -- (ausiliare per la formazione del condizionale presente)

  • I would do it this way

  • It’d be a shame to lose the opportunity

  • I’d prefer to go tomorrow rather than today.

• 8 used, said with emphasis, to express annoyance -- non applicable

  • I’ve lost my car-keys – that would happen!