Would In Future Tense: 7 Facts You Should Know

In this article we shall see how the word ‘would’ is used in future tense with the aid of various would in future tense examples, explanations and facts.

Future tense is one of the tenses in the English Grammar and is used to denote an action (verb) that is yet to happen, thereby indicating a future state of being or an event that will happen. ‘Would’ is one of the modal verbs that can be utilized to indicate the future tense. Here we will see in detail about the modal verb ‘would’.

Can the word “would” be used in future tense?

Yes, the word ‘would’ can definitely be used in future tense.

Example: Surya would catch the train if he reached the station on time.

In this sentence, the word ‘would’ is utilized to denote an action of ‘catching’ the train by Surya that has yet not happened, but might happen in the future, if he reached the station on time. Thus, the word ‘would’ is used here to denote the future tense of the action word (verb) ‘catch’.

When the word “would” is used in future tense?

The word ‘would’ is used in future tense for the following reasons.

1. To denote the past tense of the modal verb ‘will’.

Example: I never thought Ramya would become a teacher.

In the above sentence, the word ‘would’ is utilized to denote the future tense. Here, the modal verb ‘would’ is used to refer to the past action (thought) and thus has replaced the modal verb ‘will’ and has been used as the past tense of ‘will’.

2. To indicate an uncertain or a hypothetical event.

Example: We thought it would rain and so we took a cab.

Here, the word ‘would’ is used along with the action word (verb) ‘rain’ to denote the future tense. The usage of the word ‘would’ hereshows us that the subject ‘we’ were unsure of the rains. ‘Would’ shows us that raining here is an uncertain and a hypothetical event that might or might not happen.

3. To represent a noun’s desire.

Example: I would love to go to Paris.

In the above sentence, the word ‘would’ is used along with the action word (verb) ‘love’ to denote the future tense. Here, in the above sentence, ‘would’ along with denoting future tense is also used to tell us about the desire of the subject (noun) ‘I’ to go to Paris.

4. To convey a request or to ask something in a polite way.

Example: Would you like to have some tea?

The word ‘would’ here is utilized with the action word ‘like’ not just to show us that the action has not yet taken place and will take place in the future, but also to tell us that the question is asked in a polite manner.

How the word “would” is used in future tense?

The word ‘would’ is a modal verb which is mostly used in front of the main verb of the sentence to tell us that the action is yet to happen and might happen anytime in the future. But however, when the word ‘would’ is utilized to question kindly or to request something, then it is placed in the beginning of the sentence.

Example: When I was a child, I would visit this temple quite often.

In this sentence, the modal verb ‘would’ is used to denote the future tense in the past event. Hence, it used as the past tense of the word ‘will’ in this sentence. ‘Visit’ is the main verb of the sentence, and the modal verb ‘would’ is placed right before the main verb to denote the future tense.

Example: Would you like to join us for dinner?

The word ‘would’ here is utilized with the action word ‘like’ to convey us that the question is asked in a kind manner. Since ‘would’ is used to question in the above sentence, it is placed in the very beginning of the sentence.

Why the word “would” is used in future tense?

The word ‘would’ is used in the future tense to show past habits, to explain uncertain, imaginary and hypothetical events, and also as a past tense of the modal verb ‘will’.

Example: If you started early, you would reach the school on time.

Here, the word ‘would’ is utilized before the action word (verb) ‘reach’ to denote the future tense. The usage of the word ‘would’ here conveys us that reaching the school on time is an uncertain and a hypothetical event that may or may not happen.

Use of “will” word in future tense

Unlike, ‘would’, that is used to denote hypothetical and imaginary events that might or might not take place in the future, the word (modal verb) ‘will’ is utilized to denote actions that will definitely occur or happen in the future.

Example: My brother Saraansh will visit us next week.

In this sentence, the modal verb ‘will’ is used to convey the definiteness of the action word (verb) ‘visit’ in the future tense. Yes, the word ‘will’ tells us the definiteness of Saraansh’s visit next week (future tense). 

Examples of would used in future tense

Given below are a few example sentences where the word ‘would’ is used to indicate the future tense.

  • 1. Suhasini would call me tomorrow evening.
  • 2. If I had her address, I would visit her.
  • 3. Rohan said he would be mailing me the details.
  • 4. I would go out with my friends if I am free.

Examples of would used in future tense with detailed explanation

Now we shall see how and why the word ‘would’ is used in future tense in each of the above sentences.

1. Suhasini would call me tomorrow evening.

In this sentence, the word ‘would’ is used with the main verb ‘call’ to denote the future tense of the action. The modal verb ‘would’ also convey us the uncertainty of receiving Suhasini’s call tomorrow evening.

2. If I had her address, I would visit her.

Here, the modal verb ‘would’ is utilized with the main verb ‘visit’ to tell us that the subject ‘I’ has not yet visited her, which means the action ‘visit’ is yet to happen. The usage of ‘would’ also suggests that the subject ‘I’ may or may not visit her.

3. Rohan said he would be mailing me the details.

In this sentence, the word ‘would’ is used with the main verb ‘be mailing’ to denote the future tense of the action. The modal verb ‘would’ also convey to us the uncertainty of Rohan mailing me the details.

4. I would go out with my friends if I am free.

Here, the modal verb ‘would’ is utilized with the main verb ‘go’ to tell us that the subject ‘I’ has not yet gone out, which means the action ‘go’ is yet to happen. The usage of ‘would’ also suggests that the subject ‘I’ is unsure of going out.

When the word “would” cannot be used in future tense and why?

The word ‘would’ cannot be used in the future tense, when it is used for questioning someone and also when it is used for requesting. In such cases, the word ‘would’ does not denote any tense, instead just questions and requests.

Example: Would you like to have some rest?

In this sentence, the word ‘would’ is used just like a questioning word, thus does not denote any tense and cannot be used in the future tense.

Conclusion

Thus from the above art, we got to know clearly when, how, why and where the modal verb ‘would’ can be used to indicate the future tense.