would

aux v

• ① 1[按时式一致的原则作为will的过去式,用于从属子句中]2[在间接引用句中]
  • I promised I would do my best.我答应过我会全力以赴(意志未来)。
  • She believed that her husband would be back soon.她相信丈夫不久就会回来(单纯未来)。
  • I said I would do it.我说我要做这事(★直接引述为I said, "I will do it.")。
  • He said that if he had $200,000, he would go abroad.他说,如果有二十万元,他就要出国(★直接引述为He said, "If I had $200,000, I would go abroad.")。

• ②[在条件句中]1[在主要句中:用于第二人称、第三人称,表与意志无关之想像]2[在主要子句中:用于第一人称,表说话者之意志]3[在条件子句中:表主词之意志]
  • If the car had run against it, they would have been killed.如果车子冲撞上去,他们可能都已当场死亡。
  • If I were rich enough, I would buy the house.倘若(目前)我够富有,我就要把那栋房子买下来。
  • If I had seen the advertisement I would have applied for the job.假如(当时)我看到那则广告,我就会申请那份工作。
  • I would do so if I could.如果(目前)我愿意,我就可以那样做(事实上不愿意)。

• ③[表示一种婉转语意,暗示有未说出的条件子句]1[与意志无关]2[与意志有关]
  • It would seem that ....情形好像是…(或许不是…)。
  • One would have thought that.(只要在那种情况)任何人都大可那样想的。
  • Who would have thought it?这事又有谁料想得到?(真令人感到意外)
  • Would you mind opening the door for me?请你替我开门好吗?
  • I would rather not do it.(若有选择余地)我宁可不做这事。
  • Would you like (to have) a drink?你想喝一杯吗?
  • This is the place where she would be.(如果可能)这就是她想住的地方。

• ④[表过去的意志、主张、拒绝]
  • He would get in my way.他凡事都要妨碍我。
  • She confirmed there had been a fire but would give no details.她证实有一场火灾,但不肯说出细节[详情]。
  • The box would not open.这箱子怎样也打不开。

• ⑤[表过去的习惯、行动的反复]常…(参照used to)
  • He would sit for hours daydreaming.他常常[往往]坐上好几个小时在做白日梦。

• ⑥[对过去的推测]可能是,大概是
  • I suppose he would be about sixty when he retired.我想他退休时,大概是六十岁左右。