Use of modal verbs in narration The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are In Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)What are “modal-verbs”?Modal verbs (must or to have to)What modal verbs do natives use nowadays?Use of Modal Verbs 'Must' and 'Will' to Express CertaintyAre modal verbs and auxiliary verbs actually verbs?Modal verbs for logical deductionPast for modal verbs meaningModal verbs in reportingModal verbs in tag lineModal verbs of probability
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Use of modal verbs in narration
The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are In
Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara
Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)What are “modal-verbs”?Modal verbs (must or to have to)What modal verbs do natives use nowadays?Use of Modal Verbs 'Must' and 'Will' to Express CertaintyAre modal verbs and auxiliary verbs actually verbs?Modal verbs for logical deductionPast for modal verbs meaningModal verbs in reportingModal verbs in tag lineModal verbs of probability
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I often come across the following usage of modal verbs in novels: "But Turing would die before completing and publishing his final musings". Why not simple past like "But Turing died before completing and publishing his final musings."? What is the name for this construction?
Edit:
I realized that I have chosen not the right example. A better one is: "Every morning he would make himself a coffee."
verbs modal-verbs
asked Dec 28 '18 at 22:08
pawel_winzigpawel_winzig
1014
|
show 6 more comments
I often come across the following usage of modal verbs in novels: "But Turing would die before completing and publishing his final musings". Why not simple past like "But Turing died before completing and publishing his final musings."? What is the name for this construction?
Edit:
I realized that I have chosen not the right example. A better one is: "Every morning he would make himself a coffee."
verbs modal-verbs
asked Dec 28 '18 at 22:08
pawel_winzigpawel_winzig
1014
Using "Turing would die" means that the novel is not at the time where Turing has already died. It is simply describing that Turing will die before completing and publishing his final musings, but in the time of the novel that you are at, he is still alive.
– Sweet_Cherry
Dec 28 '18 at 22:17
@Sweet_Cherry: I often read books by Murakami. There it is often used like "He would make a coffee...He would go to...". It somehow replaces the simple past form. This seems odd if it is only a view into the future from a past time.
– pawel_winzig
Dec 28 '18 at 22:24
Sometimes authors or directors will use this as a summary to conclude a scene or chapter. In some cases it could be a cliffhanger.
– Sweet_Cherry
Dec 28 '18 at 22:28
@Sweet_Cherry: I don't think its the case, in "Norwegian Wood" Murakami is using this continuously.
– pawel_winzig
Dec 28 '18 at 22:56
Murakami wrote in Japanese. The translator may have used this construction to try to convey what was written in Japanese. But Murakami didn't really make that choice.
– The Photon
Dec 29 '18 at 5:47
|
show 6 more comments
I often come across the following usage of modal verbs in novels: "But Turing would die before completing and publishing his final musings". Why not simple past like "But Turing died before completing and publishing his final musings."? What is the name for this construction?
Edit:
I realized that I have chosen not the right example. A better one is: "Every morning he would make himself a coffee."
verbs modal-verbs
asked Dec 28 '18 at 22:08
pawel_winzigpawel_winzig
1014
I often come across the following usage of modal verbs in novels: "But Turing would die before completing and publishing his final musings". Why not simple past like "But Turing died before completing and publishing his final musings."? What is the name for this construction?
Edit:
I realized that I have chosen not the right example. A better one is: "Every morning he would make himself a coffee."
verbs modal-verbs
verbs modal-verbs
asked Dec 28 '18 at 22:08
pawel_winzigpawel_winzig
1014
asked Dec 28 '18 at 22:08
pawel_winzigpawel_winzig
1014
edited Dec 31 '18 at 4:47
pawel_winzig
asked Dec 28 '18 at 22:08
pawel_winzigpawel_winzig
1014
asked Dec 28 '18 at 22:08
pawel_winzigpawel_winzig
1014
asked Dec 28 '18 at 22:08
pawel_winzigpawel_winzig
1014
1014
Using "Turing would die" means that the novel is not at the time where Turing has already died. It is simply describing that Turing will die before completing and publishing his final musings, but in the time of the novel that you are at, he is still alive.
– Sweet_Cherry
Dec 28 '18 at 22:17
@Sweet_Cherry: I often read books by Murakami. There it is often used like "He would make a coffee...He would go to...". It somehow replaces the simple past form. This seems odd if it is only a view into the future from a past time.
– pawel_winzig
Dec 28 '18 at 22:24
Sometimes authors or directors will use this as a summary to conclude a scene or chapter. In some cases it could be a cliffhanger.
– Sweet_Cherry
Dec 28 '18 at 22:28
@Sweet_Cherry: I don't think its the case, in "Norwegian Wood" Murakami is using this continuously.
– pawel_winzig
Dec 28 '18 at 22:56
Murakami wrote in Japanese. The translator may have used this construction to try to convey what was written in Japanese. But Murakami didn't really make that choice.
– The Photon
Dec 29 '18 at 5:47
|
show 6 more comments
Using "Turing would die" means that the novel is not at the time where Turing has already died. It is simply describing that Turing will die before completing and publishing his final musings, but in the time of the novel that you are at, he is still alive.
– Sweet_Cherry
Dec 28 '18 at 22:17
@Sweet_Cherry: I often read books by Murakami. There it is often used like "He would make a coffee...He would go to...". It somehow replaces the simple past form. This seems odd if it is only a view into the future from a past time.
– pawel_winzig
Dec 28 '18 at 22:24
Sometimes authors or directors will use this as a summary to conclude a scene or chapter. In some cases it could be a cliffhanger.
– Sweet_Cherry
Dec 28 '18 at 22:28
@Sweet_Cherry: I don't think its the case, in "Norwegian Wood" Murakami is using this continuously.
– pawel_winzig
Dec 28 '18 at 22:56
Murakami wrote in Japanese. The translator may have used this construction to try to convey what was written in Japanese. But Murakami didn't really make that choice.
– The Photon
Dec 29 '18 at 5:47
Using "Turing would die" means that the novel is not at the time where Turing has already died. It is simply describing that Turing will die before completing and publishing his final musings, but in the time of the novel that you are at, he is still alive.
– Sweet_Cherry
Dec 28 '18 at 22:17
Using "Turing would die" means that the novel is not at the time where Turing has already died. It is simply describing that Turing will die before completing and publishing his final musings, but in the time of the novel that you are at, he is still alive.
– Sweet_Cherry
Dec 28 '18 at 22:17
@Sweet_Cherry: I often read books by Murakami. There it is often used like "He would make a coffee...He would go to...". It somehow replaces the simple past form. This seems odd if it is only a view into the future from a past time.
– pawel_winzig
Dec 28 '18 at 22:24
@Sweet_Cherry: I often read books by Murakami. There it is often used like "He would make a coffee...He would go to...". It somehow replaces the simple past form. This seems odd if it is only a view into the future from a past time.
– pawel_winzig
Dec 28 '18 at 22:24
Sometimes authors or directors will use this as a summary to conclude a scene or chapter. In some cases it could be a cliffhanger.
– Sweet_Cherry
Dec 28 '18 at 22:28
Sometimes authors or directors will use this as a summary to conclude a scene or chapter. In some cases it could be a cliffhanger.
– Sweet_Cherry
Dec 28 '18 at 22:28
@Sweet_Cherry: I don't think its the case, in "Norwegian Wood" Murakami is using this continuously.
– pawel_winzig
Dec 28 '18 at 22:56
@Sweet_Cherry: I don't think its the case, in "Norwegian Wood" Murakami is using this continuously.
– pawel_winzig
Dec 28 '18 at 22:56
Murakami wrote in Japanese. The translator may have used this construction to try to convey what was written in Japanese. But Murakami didn't really make that choice.
– The Photon
Dec 29 '18 at 5:47
Murakami wrote in Japanese. The translator may have used this construction to try to convey what was written in Japanese. But Murakami didn't really make that choice.
– The Photon
Dec 29 '18 at 5:47
|
show 6 more comments
2 Answers
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https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/would lists the numerous uses of 'would'. The first one (to refer to future time from the point of view of the past) fits the quotation about Turing. The one listed under 'Frequency' fits the other quotation 'He would make a coffee...'
answered Dec 30 '18 at 9:24
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,67631518
add a comment |
The meaning of 'would' in the sentence "Every morning he would make himself a coffee." is similar to 'used to'.
I found this explanation in Rene Bosewitz' Penguin Students' Grammar of English, page 119 (10 Modal Verbs and Modal Verb Phrases; Irregular Modals; 10.27. Used to).
answered 4 hours ago
Jarosław A. BorowskiJarosław A. Borowski
11
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Jarosław A. Borowski is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/would lists the numerous uses of 'would'. The first one (to refer to future time from the point of view of the past) fits the quotation about Turing. The one listed under 'Frequency' fits the other quotation 'He would make a coffee...'
answered Dec 30 '18 at 9:24
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,67631518
add a comment |
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/would lists the numerous uses of 'would'. The first one (to refer to future time from the point of view of the past) fits the quotation about Turing. The one listed under 'Frequency' fits the other quotation 'He would make a coffee...'
answered Dec 30 '18 at 9:24
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,67631518
add a comment |
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/would lists the numerous uses of 'would'. The first one (to refer to future time from the point of view of the past) fits the quotation about Turing. The one listed under 'Frequency' fits the other quotation 'He would make a coffee...'
answered Dec 30 '18 at 9:24
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,67631518
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/would lists the numerous uses of 'would'. The first one (to refer to future time from the point of view of the past) fits the quotation about Turing. The one listed under 'Frequency' fits the other quotation 'He would make a coffee...'
answered Dec 30 '18 at 9:24
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,67631518
answered Dec 30 '18 at 9:24
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,67631518
answered Dec 30 '18 at 9:24
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,67631518
answered Dec 30 '18 at 9:24
Kate BuntingKate Bunting
6,67631518
6,67631518
add a comment |
add a comment |
The meaning of 'would' in the sentence "Every morning he would make himself a coffee." is similar to 'used to'.
I found this explanation in Rene Bosewitz' Penguin Students' Grammar of English, page 119 (10 Modal Verbs and Modal Verb Phrases; Irregular Modals; 10.27. Used to).
answered 4 hours ago
Jarosław A. BorowskiJarosław A. Borowski
11
New contributor
Jarosław A. Borowski is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
The meaning of 'would' in the sentence "Every morning he would make himself a coffee." is similar to 'used to'.
I found this explanation in Rene Bosewitz' Penguin Students' Grammar of English, page 119 (10 Modal Verbs and Modal Verb Phrases; Irregular Modals; 10.27. Used to).
answered 4 hours ago
Jarosław A. BorowskiJarosław A. Borowski
11
New contributor
Jarosław A. Borowski is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
The meaning of 'would' in the sentence "Every morning he would make himself a coffee." is similar to 'used to'.
I found this explanation in Rene Bosewitz' Penguin Students' Grammar of English, page 119 (10 Modal Verbs and Modal Verb Phrases; Irregular Modals; 10.27. Used to).
answered 4 hours ago
Jarosław A. BorowskiJarosław A. Borowski
11
New contributor
Jarosław A. Borowski is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The meaning of 'would' in the sentence "Every morning he would make himself a coffee." is similar to 'used to'.
I found this explanation in Rene Bosewitz' Penguin Students' Grammar of English, page 119 (10 Modal Verbs and Modal Verb Phrases; Irregular Modals; 10.27. Used to).
answered 4 hours ago
Jarosław A. BorowskiJarosław A. Borowski
11
New contributor
Jarosław A. Borowski is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 4 hours ago
Jarosław A. BorowskiJarosław A. Borowski
11
New contributor
Jarosław A. Borowski is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 4 hours ago
Jarosław A. BorowskiJarosław A. Borowski
11
answered 4 hours ago
Jarosław A. BorowskiJarosław A. Borowski
11
11
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New contributor
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Using "Turing would die" means that the novel is not at the time where Turing has already died. It is simply describing that Turing will die before completing and publishing his final musings, but in the time of the novel that you are at, he is still alive.
– Sweet_Cherry
Dec 28 '18 at 22:17
@Sweet_Cherry: I often read books by Murakami. There it is often used like "He would make a coffee...He would go to...". It somehow replaces the simple past form. This seems odd if it is only a view into the future from a past time.
– pawel_winzig
Dec 28 '18 at 22:24
Sometimes authors or directors will use this as a summary to conclude a scene or chapter. In some cases it could be a cliffhanger.
– Sweet_Cherry
Dec 28 '18 at 22:28
@Sweet_Cherry: I don't think its the case, in "Norwegian Wood" Murakami is using this continuously.
– pawel_winzig
Dec 28 '18 at 22:56
Murakami wrote in Japanese. The translator may have used this construction to try to convey what was written in Japanese. But Murakami didn't really make that choice.
– The Photon
Dec 29 '18 at 5:47