- pronunciation:
- wUd
- phrases:
- would like
- features:
- Note, Homophone Note
| part of speech: |
auxiliary verb |
| definition 1: |
used as a past form of "will1" after verbs in the past tense that report speech or thoughts.
She said she would help us.They decided they would go to the movies after dinner. |
| definition 2: |
used with the same meaning as "will1" but showing that the action or state being talked about is not real.
I would fly to the moon, if I could fly.If I had a dog, I would name him "Max." |
| definition 3: |
used to form polite requests.
Would you turn on the light, please? |
|
|
| phrase: |
would like |
would like or want?
Want is used to express, in an informal manner, a desire or need for something.
Would like is a more formal or polite way to express a desire or need for something. We also use
would like when we have a desire for something that we think is not likely to happen or is not planned. We use
want when we are more certain that something will happen.
Compare:
- Do you want some coffee? (informal)
- Would you like a cup of coffee? (formal, polite)
- I would like to go to Spain someday. (It's a wish that I have, but I don't know if it will ever happen.)
- Where do you want to go for your vacation? I want to go to Florida. (I will go somewhere, probably to Florida.)
The words
would and
wood (a hard material from trees) sound alike but have different meanings.