Definition would in British English

Would is usually followed by an infinitive without ‘to’: A picnic would be nice. Sometimes it is used without a following infinitive: They didn’t do as much as they said they would.

In conversation and informal writing, would is often shortened to ’d: I thought you’d like a drink before dinner.

Would does not change its form, so the third person singular form does not end in ‘-s’: As a child, she would often run away from home.

Questions and negatives are formed without ‘do’: Would you like a cup of coffee?He would not tell us his secret.

The negative form would not is often shortened in conversation or informal writing to wouldn’t: I wouldn’t want to have your job.

Would is often used in question tags: You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?

Would has no tenses, no participles, and no infinitive form.

There is no past tense, but would have followed by a past participle can be used for talking about actions that did not happen: She would have bought the house if she had been able to afford it (=she did not buy it).

In some cases would can be used as the past tense of will, for example in indirect speech introduced by a verb in the past tense: I promised that I would visit her the next day.

In requests and offers would can be used with the same meaning as will but in a more polite or less definite way: Would/Will you please help me?I would/will be glad to answer any questions.

Should is sometimes used instead of would when the subject is ‘I’ or ‘we’: We would/should be grateful if you would send us more information.I would/should think you are tired after your long journey.