What does "would" mean?

1. (imagined situations) you use this to talk about something that is possible but not real, or something you imagine happening. 2. (polite requests) a polite way to ask for something or to offer something to someone. 3. (future in the past) used to talk about something that was going to happen when you are already talking about the past. 4. (past habits) used to describe things that someone did often in the past. 5. (sexual attraction) a very short way to say you find someone attractive and might want to date them. 6. (a potentiality) a situation that might happen but is not certain.

How do you use "would"?

Followed by the bare infinitive of the main verb. Often used in the interrogative form to soften a request. Commonly used after reporting verbs like 'said', 'thought', or 'knew'.

Is it correct to say "If I would have more money, I would buy a car."?

No — say "If I had more money, I would buy a car.". In the 'if' part of a conditional sentence, use the past simple, not 'would'.

would

v. · interj. · n.

US //ˈwʊd// UK //wˈʊd// would

1 imagined situations (v.)
A2 Elementary

you use this to talk about something that is possible but not real, or something you imagine happening.

used to form the conditional mood, expressing the consequence of an imagined or hypothetical premise.

Example

If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world for a year.

Example

If the board were to approve the merger today, the company would likely see a significant increase in its share price by the end of the week.

Usage

Followed by the bare infinitive of the main verb.

Pitfall

If I would have more money, I would buy a car.

If I had more money, I would buy a car.

In the 'if' part of a conditional sentence, use the past simple, not 'would'.
2 polite requests (v.)
A1 Beginner

a polite way to ask for something or to offer something to someone.

used as a marker of politeness or social distance in requests, offers, and invitations.

Example

Would you like a cup of tea while you wait for your appointment?

Example

Would you be so kind as to forward the latest draft of the contract to the legal department for a final review?

Usage

Often used in the interrogative form to soften a request.

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3 future in the past (v.)
B1 Intermediate

used to talk about something that was going to happen when you are already talking about the past.

serves as the past tense of 'will' in reported speech or when describing a future event from a past perspective.

Example

He said he would arrive at the station by six o'clock.

Example

The architect knew that the project would face significant delays if the structural permits were not secured before the winter freeze.

Usage

Commonly used after reporting verbs like 'said', 'thought', or 'knew'.
4 past habits (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

used to describe things that someone did often in the past.

used to describe repeated or habitual actions in the past; functions similarly to 'used to' but focuses on the action rather than the state.

Example

Every summer, we would go to the same beach and swim all day.

Example

During the long winter evenings, the old man would sit by the hearth and recount tales of his youth to anyone who cared to listen.

Teacher's tip

Note that 'would' cannot be used for past states (e.g., 'I would be a child' is incorrect); use 'used to' for states.
5 sexual attraction (interj.)
C1 Advanced Slang Informal

a very short way to say you find someone attractive and might want to date them.

an elliptical use of 'I would', functioning as an interjection to express sexual attraction toward a person.

Example

Look at that actor on the magazine cover—would.

Example

The comment section of the celebrity's post was flooded with one-word responses, mostly just 'would' from various fans.

Teacher's tip

This is very modern internet slang; it is best avoided in any professional or formal context.
6 a potentiality (n.)
C2 Proficiency Academic Formal

a situation that might happen but is not certain.

a hypothetical situation or potentiality; often used in philosophical or analytical discussions about 'shoulds' and 'woulds'.

Example

We need to stop worrying about the woulds and focus on what is happening now.

Example

The debate became mired in a series of hypothetical woulds, preventing the committee from addressing the concrete evidence at hand.
- possibility
- potentiality

Origin

From Old English wolde, past tense of willan, predecessor of will. The loss of /l/ in this word is probably due to weak stress, as in should and could (though in the latter, the /l/ was due to the analogy of the former two).