Recherche parmi différents professeurs en Anglais…
Sam
What does "would" mean in this context?
Man: People are starting to stare. Can you keep your voice down, please?
Woman: Absolutely, we wouldn't want them to think we're not happy.
9 déc. 2017 11:05
Réponses · 4
1
Hi there,
I assume that the context for this dialogue is that the woman is complaining about something that other people present ('them') have done or failed to do?
If so, then;
'wouldn't want' indicates that the speaker is referring to the possible future consequences (of speaking with a loud voice)
'don't want' indicates that the speaker is referring to the definite present consequences (of speaking with a loud voice)
Note also that this structure is used for irony. So the woman may be contradicting the man, not agreeing with him.
Hope that helps, Helen
9 décembre 2017
it softens it.
9 décembre 2017
@necip You're right, I figured it out from the context. But, why didn't she use "don't" instead of "wouldn't"?
9 décembre 2017
İt means like "dont" in this context
9 décembre 2017
Vous n'avez pas encore trouvé vos réponses ?
Écrivez vos questions et profitez de l'aide des locuteurs natifs !
Sam
Compétences linguistiques
Anglais, Persan (farsi)
Langue étudiée
Anglais
Articles qui pourraient te plaire

English Vocabulary for Using Microsoft Office at Work
25 j'aime · 3 Commentaires

How to Answer “How Was Your Weekend?” Naturally in English
56 j'aime · 29 Commentaires

Why Some Jokes Don’t Translate: Understanding Humor in English
15 j'aime · 6 Commentaires
Plus d'articles
