would是常见的情态动词之一,因而其用法也符合一般情态动词的规律。即无人称和数的变化,其后面跟动词原形,否定式构成是在情态动词后面加“ not”。(情态动词是一种本身有一定的词义,表示说话人的情绪、态度或语气的动词,但不能单独作谓语,只能和其他动词原形构成谓语。)
1. would用在陈述语气中,表示过去将来时,指有意识的行动或意志,常用于间接引语中,译为“要;偏要;愿”。例如:
I said I would do my best.
我表示过要尽最大努力。
He said he would do me a favor.
他说他愿意帮助我。
2. would用在陈述语气中,表示过去将来时,指实际情况,译为“将,会”。例如:
He told me he would he free tonight.
他告诉我他今晚有空。
He said he would turn up on time.
他说他会准时出席。
3. would用于表示过去经常性或习惯性的动作,译为“总会,总是”。例如:
Sometimes I would come home late.
有时我总是迟回家。
He would read in the sun.
他过去常在阳光下读书。
4. would用于过去的否定句中,表示拒绝,或无此习惯或不可能,译为“不肯,总是不”。例如:
He wouldn't give the names of his partners.
他拒绝讲出他的伙伴们的名字。
5.用于对过去事情的推测,译为“大概”。例如:
That would be in spring 1964.
那大概是 1964年春天的事情。
6. would表示对感觉的夸张,说明是意料之中的事情。例如:
— Of course, he broke the glass. 当然是他把杯子打破了。
— Oh, he would. 哦,还会是谁呢。
7. would类似于 could,均可译为“能,能够”。例如:
The room would seat 50 persons.
这房间能穿纳 50人。
8. would用于虚拟语气的主句中。例如:
If I were your, I would quit smoking.
如果我是你,我就戒烟。
If you were a bird, you would fly.
如果你是一只鸟儿,你就可以飞翔。
9.用于虚拟语气,表示强烈愿望,译为“但愿,要是……多好”。例如:
Would (that) I were a superman.
我要是超人那该多好啊。
10.以 would开头的一般疑问句,可表示要求、邀请、希望或询问,其后常与 like/ love/ prefer/ mind等动词连用。例如:
Would you please show me the way?
请你指点指点路线好吗?
Would you like to go shopping with me?
愿和我一起去购物吗?