Modal verbs in preparatory It-clauses

WOULD

Would was originally the past tense of will in the same way as should was the past tense of shall. But while the latter has acquired new shades of meaning, would has preserved those of will. Thus it expresses volition or persistence referring to the past.

1. Volition.

In this meaning it is mostly used in negative sentences.

E.g. She was going away and would not say where she was going (Она уезжала и так и не сказала, куда едет.) Mother wouldn’t let me go to that party. (Мама никак не разрешала мне пойти на вечеринку.)

2. Persistence.

E.g. I called the dog again, but it just wouldn’t obey me. (Я снова позвал пса, но он никак не слушался.)

It is also used in speaking about lifeless things in the same way as WILL and is more common in this use (annoyance or irritation).

E.g. The soup wouldn’t boil. (Суп никак не закипал.) The engine wouldn’t start. (Двигатель никак не заводился.)

3. Would can also be used to express interpersonal polite requests and offers, It often acts as a softer form of will.

E.g. Would you give me a knife, please.

E.g. Would you close the door?

E.g. If you would wait here, please.

E.g. Would you like anything to drink?

E.g. Would you mind opening the window?

Note. Both would and used to can refer to repeated actions and events in the past, but only used to can refer to past states.

E.g. I would / used to drive a lot.

E.g. I used to be overweight.

Exercise 284. Read the sentences and translate them into Russian, state the function of the modal verb would.

1. Would you then kindly tell them that I accept their kind offer. 2. Most villages would have a manor-house, possibly a bailiff’s house, and a church. There would be orchards of apple, pear, or cherry. Around the village would be some meadow land and three open fields. 3. If you, sir, would kindly step into the waiting-room, I shall be happy to talk to you. 4. Now and again she or her daughter would come and ask if he wanted anything. 5. When he died, the dog wouldn’t eat for two days. 6. And sometimes the children would steal into Samuel’s study when they were sure he was out. 7. He was obliged to sit next to Mr. Emerson, but he would not speak to him. 8. Now and then when one of the ladies was of particular beauty, a round of applause would greet her appearance and she would smile and bow without embarrassment. 9. She would not be satisfied until she had proved that I always was wrong. 10. “You would like to go round a bit, wouldn’t you?” asked Edward. “Yes, I would”, whispered Rose, who would not have missed it for anything now. 11.

“Anyway”, she added, “I wouldn’t tell you”. 12. This composer was always angry when his new symphony wouldn’t come right.

Exercise 285. Recall your childhood. What things wouldn’t your mother let you do back then?

Model. My mother wouldn’t let me stay up late.

Exercise 286. Read the sentences and say if they are: polite, quite polite or very polite.

Model. Could you pass the butter? – Polite

Would you please pass the butter? - Quite polite

Might I trouble you to pass the butter? - Very polite

1. Could I have your opinion on this?

2. Would you please tell me what you think?

3. Might I trouble you for two cheese sandwiches?

4. I would like to buy two cheese sandwiches, please.

5. Might I trouble you to wait here?

6. You could wait here, please.

7. You might wish to accompany us.

8. Would you like to come with us?

9. Could you give me a lift?

10. Might I ask you for a lift?

11. Could you help me?

12. Would you like some help?

13. Might I be of any assistance?

Exercise 287. Address your fellow-student with a polite request using Will you…/Would you…?

Exercise 288. Translate into Russian using your Active Grammar.

1. Я звонил тебе несколько раз, но ты не пожелала поднять трубку. 2. Только после долгих уговоров Пит одевал шапку, и затем его вели на прогулку. 3. Мэри несколько раз пыталась повернуть ключ в замке, однако он не двигался ни вправо, ни влево. 4. Не соблаговолите ли вы подождать здесь? 5. Я все равно не поддержу ваше предложение, что бы вы ни говорили! 6. Вы не против пообедать с нами? 7. Сколько клоун ни пытался развеселить девочку, она продолжала угрюмо смотреть на него и не улыбалась. 8. Потом мы вместе толкали машину, а Паша сидел за рулем. Но и это не помогло – машина никак не заводилась. 9. Он часто напоминал нам о своем скором отъезде. 10. Представляешь, они даже не стали с ним разговаривать! 11. Хотите еще кусочек клюквенного пирога? – Да, пожалуйста. 12. Не возражаете, если я сделаю музыку потише? 13. Я понимал, что отцу известно многое, но он просто не хотел откровенничать со мной.

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