The verb to be · Conjugation
Conditional (would) of be
The answer: would be
B1
An imaginary or hypothetical situation.
Quick answer
The Conditional (would) of the verb to be is would be.
Example: I would be happy if I had more time.
Full conjugation in the Conditional (would)
| Pronoun | Form | Contraction |
|---|---|---|
| I | would be | I'd be |
| You | would be | You'd be |
| He / She / It | would be | He'd / She'd / It'd be |
| We | would be | We'd be |
| You (pl.) | would be | You'd be |
| They | would be | They'd be |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. If I would have money ❌
Do not use would after if. In the if part, use the Past Simple. Would goes in the other part: If I had money, I would travel. The present is wrong too: If I have money, I would travel ❌.
2. I would to be ❌
After would, use the base form, with no to and no -s: I would be, she would be. This is true for all modal verbs (helper verbs like can, could, should and must). But remember I would like to be: here, to belongs to like.
3. I would can be ❌
Would cannot go with can or must. Use could instead of “would can”: I could be. Use would have to instead of “would must”: I would have to be.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
How do you conjugate be with would?+
Use would + the base form (the verb with no to): would be. The form is the same for every person: I would be, she would be, they would be. The short form is 'd: I'd be.
When do you use would be?+
Use would for an imaginary situation that is not real now: If I had more time, I would learn the guitar. You also use it to be polite: Would you like some juice?, I'd like a sandwich, please.
How do you use would be in a sentence with if?+
Use if + the Past Simple in one part of the sentence, and would be in the other part. Example: If I had more money, I would buy a new bike. Never put would in the if part: If I would have more money is wrong.
What is the difference between will be and would be?+
Will be is for the real future: something you think will happen. Would be is for an imaginary situation. Compare: If it's sunny tomorrow, we will go to the beach (this is possible). If I lived near the sea, I would go to the beach every day (but I don't live near the sea).
What are the short forms of would be?+
Would becomes 'd: I'd be, she'd be. The negative would not becomes wouldn't: I wouldn't be. Careful: 'd can also mean had. 'd + base form = would; 'd + past participle = had.
Related pages: be Conditional (would)
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/be/conditional-would
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.
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