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When to use 'would'

8 replies

Sammiez · 25/10/2010 13:47

I honestly do not know. For example:

I will appreciate your help or

I would appreciate your help.

Another one that confuses me a lot is:

That was the movie I was telling you about; or

That is the movie I was telling you about

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activate · 25/10/2010 13:50

I will appreciate your help is an imperative ie it is telling the person they WILL help you

I would appreciate your help (think if you would be so kind)

That is the movie I was telling you about - you are pointing out something in the present regarding a past conversation

the other version is just wrong

activate · 25/10/2010 13:52

actually the 'that was the movie I was telling you about' could be right if for instance you had passed a poster advertising a movie so that the poster of the movie is in the past

aren't you best just having no opinions Grin

Spinaroo · 25/10/2010 13:53

You can use would to talk about something that will happen ON CONDITION of something else happening

e.g If I won the lottery I would buy a car

(If you helped me) I would appreciate it.

You can also use it to talk about something that used to happen on a regular basis in the past.

e.g When I was young, I would visit my gran every Friday.

Hope this helps

Tinuviel · 25/10/2010 20:54

I will appreciate your help is not an imperative! It is the future tense so talking about a definite event that has yet to happen. An imperative tells someone else to do something.

I would appreciate your help is a conditional implying that if help is offered, it will be appreciated.

activate · 25/10/2010 21:35

Using "I will appreciate your help" as a way to request help in the future is an imperative in terms of usage - it says it will happen, it does not give choice to the person being asked

It is the kind of language a teacher or parent uses to a child, a boss to a subordinate

It is not a polite way to request help as it is not conditional which a request must be

Clary · 26/10/2010 00:16

I will appreciate your help means that their help will definitely be given.

Would implies some possible doubt - eg "could you help me tomorrow? I would appreciate it."

"I will appreciate yr help" is not something you would say really; it's too definite somehow. You might say "Any help you can give will be much appreciated" I suppose.

You might also say "I will be there on time" as you can control that. "I would be there on time..." suggests that there is a reason why you may not be and in fact I'd expect it to be stated eg "...if the car didn't keep braking down."

HTH

Clary · 26/10/2010 00:17

Gah! breaking down, sorry.

Sammiez · 26/10/2010 07:11

Thank you all. Now to remember lol.

"When I was young, I would visit my gran every Friday".

Sounds better than my 'used to'

English is hard!!! Thanks all Smile

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