I would/should
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you would
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he/she/it would
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we would/should
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you would
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they would
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Contractions: I'd, you'd, he'd etc; wouldn't/shouldn't
Structures [would/should + infinitive without to]
I would like a drink.
[would/should + be + -ing ](progressive conditional)
If I was at home now I would be watching TV.
[ would/should + have + past participle] (perfect conditional)
If it hadn't been so expensive I would have bought it.
[ would/should + be + past participle] (passive conditional)
I knew that the letter would be opened by his secretary
We can use would or should after I and we. They mean the same in conditional structures. After you, he, she, it and they, and nouns, we only use would. Compare:
I would/should buy it if I had enough money.
John would buy it if he had enough money.
Use a. In sentences with if, and similar words.
I wouldn't go there if I didn't have to.
Suppose there was a war, what would you do?
b. In reported speech , to show that somebody said shall or will.
I said that I should need help. (' I shall need help. ')
He told me everything would be all right.
c. For 'future in the past'.
I was late. I would have to run to catch the train.
d. With like, prefer etc, in polite requests and offers.
I would like some tea. Would you prefer meat or fish?
After some conjunctions we use a past tense instead of a conditional..
If I was rich I would do what I liked. (NOT . . . what I would like.)
Note that the word conditional can have another meaning. It is used not only for the structure would/should + infinitive (as here), but also for a kind of clause or sentence with if .