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The verb to foretell · Conjugation

Conditional (would) of foretell

The answer: would foretell

B1

An imaginary or hypothetical situation.

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Quick answer

The Conditional (would) of the verb to foretell is would foretell.

Example: I would foretell the future if I had time.

Full conjugation in the Conditional (would)

PronounFormContraction
Iwould foretellI'd foretell
Youwould foretellYou'd foretell
He / She / Itwould foretellHe'd / She'd / It'd foretell
Wewould foretellWe'd foretell
You (pl.)would foretellYou'd foretell
Theywould foretellThey'd foretell

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 foretell ❌

After would, use the base form, with no to and no -s: I would foretell, she would foretell. This is true for all modal verbs (helper verbs like can, could, should and must). But remember I would like to foretell: here, to belongs to like.

3. I would can foretell ❌

Would cannot go with can or must. Use could instead of “would can”: I could foretell. Use would have to instead of “would must”: I would have to foretell.

Practice quiz

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Frequently asked questions

How do you conjugate foretell with would?+

Use would + the base form (the verb with no to): would foretell. The form is the same for every person: I would foretell, she would foretell, they would foretell. The short form is 'd: I'd foretell.

When do you use would foretell?+

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 foretell in a sentence with if?+

Use if + the Past Simple in one part of the sentence, and would foretell 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 foretell and would foretell?+

Will foretell is for the real future: something you think will happen. Would foretell 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 foretell?+

Would becomes 'd: I'd foretell, she'd foretell. The negative would not becomes wouldn't: I wouldn't foretell. Careful: 'd can also mean had. 'd + base form = would; 'd + past participle = had.

Related pages: foretell Conditional (would)

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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 →

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