Would: stating preference, request, habit or excuse

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On this page:
Preference v. Request
Requesting & Stating Preference
Past Activity v. Habit
Excuse v. Past Preference
Practice 1
Practice 2

Would

Stating preference, request, habit or excuse

Preference vs. Request

PREFERENCE - DESIRE	REQUEST
Would you rather X than Y? or Would you rather X or Y? is used to state a preference.	Would you or Would you mind (if) is used to make a request.
I would rather have my breakfast outside than inside.	Would you like having breakfast outside? (Also: Would you like to have…)
We would rather eat fish tonight than meat.	Would you suggest some wine to go with our fish dish?
I would rather smoke indoors than outdoors.	Would you mind if I smoke inside?
I would rather you smoke outdoors than indoors.	Would you mind not smoking in here? (expression followed by a gerund)
I would rather you not smoke here.	Would you not do that please.
We would rather have our coffee before than after our dessert.	Would you please bring me some coffee.

Also see would rather than

restaurant employee

Requesting and Stating Preference

REQUESTING SOMEONE'S PREFERENCE	STATING YOUR PREFERENCE
Would you like is a polite phrase to request or inquire about a person's preference.	I'd like, May I have, Would you please bring me are polite phrases for stating preference (making a request).
Would you like something to drink before dinner?	Yes, I'd like some soda and a slice of lime.
Would you care for something to drink before dinner?	Yes, may I have some soda and a slice of lime. *Can
What may I bring you to drink before dinner?	Yes, would you please bring me some soda and a slice of lime.
What can I bring you to drink before dinner? *Can	Yes. Can I get a soda and a slice of lime. (Informal – sounds like a request to a parent, "Can I get a puppy?" or a request for self-service.)

A drink may be "quantified" (count noun) in restaurant terminology. (eg., "We need four milks on table #5.")
* Using can for permission is considered slightly less formal to some, but, in fact, it is commonly used. See debate Using "can" for Permission.

cigarette butt

Past Activity versus Habit

PAST ACTIVITY	FORMER HABIT - WOULD (USE TO)
The past tense is used to talk about a past activity or habit.	Would or used to is used to talk about a discontinued habit.
I spent hours smoking.	I would spend hours smoking.
I hid my smoking habit.	I would hide my smoking habit whenever somebody asked. I used to smoke. / I would smoke

See Past Habits (would vs. used to)

Excuse versus Past Preference

MAKING AN EXCUSE - WOULD HAVE	PAST PREFERENCE - WOULD RATHER HAVE
Would have is commonly used for making an excuse.	Would rather have is used to refer to a past preference that was not satisfied or met.
I would have stopped smoking, but it was too difficult. (action did not happen) I was going to stop smoking, but it was too difficult.	I would rather have found an easy way out, but I didn't.
I would have called, but my phone wasn't working. (action did not happen) I was going to call , but my phone wasn't working.	I would rather have been a non-smoker, but I wasn't.

Practice 1

Determining Meaning

What is the meaning of "would" in each sentence?

#	YOUR RESPONSE	CHECK ANSWER
1.	Would you mind opening the door for me?
2.	I would open the door, but my hands are full.
3.	Jack would call his parents every Sunday.
4.	Would you rather have beer or wine?

Practice 2

Talking About Hair

Select the option that best completes the sentence.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	CHECK ANSWER
5.	have short or long hair?
6.	medium length hair.
7.	When I was young, I had long hair. My mother
8.	Once, I my own hair.
9.	not putting any hair spray on me.
10.	I would have washed my hair this morning,
11.	Would you mind my hair today.
12.	I would rather have washed it earlier, .
13.	blow-dry or air-dry your hair?
14.	Air-dry, I it dry naturally usually.
15.	When I was young, I blow-dry it, but now I don't.