The other children would tease me and call me names.
A man with a list would come round and say you could go off duty.
When you use would like this, you often add a time expression.
She would often hear him grumbling.
Once in a while she’d give me some lilac to take home.
Every day I’d ring up home and ask if they’d changed their minds.
You can use used to instead of would. Used to is explained in paragraphs 5.252 to 5.256.
thinking about the future: would
5.113 Would is also used in stories to talk about the thoughts that someone is having about the future. For example, if a character in a story is thinking that she will see a girl called Jane the next day, the author might simply say She would see Jane the next day.
He would recognize it when he heard it again.
They would reach the castle some time.
refusing to do something: would not
5.114 When would is used with not to talk about something that happened in the past, it has a special meaning. It is used to say that someone refused to do something.
They just would not believe what we told them.
After all this, I wouldn’t come back to the farm.
The use of modals to express a refusal is explained in paragraphs 5.194 to 5.199.
Talking about possibility
5.115 The following four sections explain the different ways in which modals are used to talk about the possibility of something happening or being done.
Paragraphs 5.116 to 5.119 explain how can and could are used to talk about the ability of a person or thing to do something.
Paragraphs 5.120 to 5.139 explain how modals are used to express degrees of certainty about past, present, and future situations and events.
Paragraphs 5.140 to 5.143 explain how modals are used to say that something is permissible.
Paragraphs 5.144 to 5.151 explain how modals are used to say that something is forbidden or unacceptable.
Talking about ability
skills and abilities: can and could
5.116 Can is used to say that someone has a particular skill or ability.
You can all read and write.
Some people can ski better than others.
He cannot dance. …the girl who can’t act.
Could is used to say that someone had a skill or ability in the past.
When I arrived, I could speak only a little English.
I could barely walk.
He could kick goals from anywhere.
awareness: can and could
5.117 Can is also used to say that someone is aware of something through one of their senses.
I can see you.
I can smell it. Can’t you?
Could is used to say that someone was aware of something through one of their senses on a particular occasion in the past.
I could see a few faint stars in a clear patch of sky.
I could feel my heart bumping.
Police said they could smell alcohol on his breath.
general truths: can and could
5.118 Can and could are also used to express facts that are generally the case, particularly when they relate to something or someone being capable of having a particular effect, or of behaving in a particular way.
It can be very unpleasant.
Art can be used to communicate.
Throwing parties can be hard work.
He could be very stiff, could Haggerty.
He could really frighten me, and yet at the same time he could be the most gentle and courteous of men.
5.119 You cannot use can or could to say that someone or something will have a particular ability in the future. Instead you use be able to or be possible to.
Be able to and be possible to can also be used to talk about someone’s ability to do something in the present or the past.
Be able to and be possible to are dealt with in paragraphs 5.222 to 5.229.
Talking about likelihood
5.120 The following paragraphs explain how modals are used to express different degrees of certainty about past, present, and future situations and events.
Paragraphs 5.121 to 5.127 explain the main ways in which modals are used to express degrees of certainty.
Paragraphs 5.128 to 5.132 explain special uses of modals when talking about possible future situations.
Paragraphs 5.133 to 5.139 explain special uses of modals when talking about possible situations in the past.
assuming that something is the case: will and would
5.121 You use will when you are assuming that something is the case, and you do not think there is any reason to doubt it.
Those of you who are familiar with the game will know this.
He will be a little out of touch, although he’s a rapid learner.
She will have forgotten all about it by now.
Similarly, you use will not or won’t when you are assuming that something is not the case.
The audience will not be aware of such exact details.
You won’t know Gordon. He’s our new doctor.
After you, you can use would instead of will, if you want to be more polite.
You would agree that the United States should be involved in assisting these countries.
certainty: would and should
5.122 You also use would to say that something is certain to happen in particular circumstances.
Even an illiterate person would understand that.
Few people would agree with this as a general principle.
A picnic wouldn’t be any fun without you.