## Meanings
1. Used to talk about the result of an imagined or unlikely situation.
2. Used as the past form of will, often for something seen from the past.
3. Used to make a polite request or offer.

## Examples
- If I won the lottery, I would give half the money to charity.
- On my first day at university, I met the woman who would become my wife.
- Would you like a cup of tea?

## Synonyms
- kindly
- please

## Derived Forms
- never-would-be

## Related Forms
- will
- would've
- wouldn't
- wouldst

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: wolde

## Etymology
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).

## AI Etymology
Would is 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). A key historical form is Old English wolde. In present-day use, it can mean used to talk about the result of an imagined or unlikely situation, or used as the past form of will, often for something seen from the past. Derived formations include never-would-be.

## Topics
- Grammar & Function Words

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would

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