English grammar
Would-questions: What would you do?
Ask would-questions and give advice with should.
From the scene You should try it
In short
In a would-question, put would after the question word: What would you do? For direct advice, use should.
Your turn
Which one goes with I'd + verb (the answer)?
Options: I'd give them a guided tour. · What would you do without me? · Would you come at eight for a few oranges?
Show answer
I'd + verb (the answer) → I'd give them a guided tour.
How it works
In a conditional question, would comes right after the question word, before the subject: What would you do? (not what you would do).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
And what (blank) you tell them about the fruit?
Options: have · would · are
Show answer
And what would you tell them about the fruit?
¿Y qué les dirías de la fruta?
Good to know
Answers often use 'd: I'd give them a tour. For direct advice, use should: you should try these.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
If I were them, (blank) leave the hotel at eight.
Options: I will · I leave · I'd
Show answer
If I were them, I'd leave the hotel at eight.
Yo que ellos, saldría del hotel a las ocho.
what would you + verb? What would you do without me?
Tomás
Sure thing. What would you do without me?
Órale. ¿Qué harías tú sin mí?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Sure thing. (blank)?
Options: Would you come at eight for a few oranges · What would you do without me · I'd give them a guided tour
Show answer
Tomás
Sure thing. What would you do without me?
Órale. ¿Qué harías tú sin mí?
I'd + verb (the answer) I'd give them a guided tour.
Your turn
What goes with I'd give them a guided tour.?
Options: Would you…? · I'd + verb (the answer) · what would you + verb?
Show answer
I'd give them a guided tour. → I'd + verb (the answer)
Would you…? Would you come at eight for a few oranges?
Nuria
Would you come at eight for a few oranges?
¿Tú vendrías a las ocho por unas naranjas?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)?
Options: What would you do without me · I'd give them a guided tour · Would you come at eight for a few oranges
Show answer
Nuria
Would you come at eight for a few oranges?
¿Tú vendrías a las ocho por unas naranjas?
direct advice: should You should try these oranges.
Tomás
Nuria! You should try these oranges.
¡Nuria! Tendrías que probar estas naranjas.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Nuria! (blank).
Options: What would you do without me · I'd give them a guided tour · You should try these oranges
Show answer
Tomás
Nuria! You should try these oranges.
¡Nuria! Tendrías que probar estas naranjas.
Common mistake
Not would or shall here. Advice, not the same as would.
Nuria! You should try these oranges.
¡Nuria! Tendrías que probar estas naranjas.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| what would you + verb? | What would you do without me? |
|---|---|
| I'd + verb (the answer) | I'd give them a guided tour. |
| Would you…? | Would you come at eight for a few oranges? |
| direct advice: should | You should try these oranges. |
More lines from the story
- NuriaAnd what would you tell them about the fruit?¿Y qué les dirías de la fruta?
- TomásIf I were them, I'd leave the hotel at eight.Yo que ellos, saldría del hotel a las ocho.
- NuriaJavi's parents are coming to the market tomorrow.Los padres de Javi vienen al mercado mañana.