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The verb to hold · Conjugation

Conditional (would) of hold

The answer: would hold

B1

An imaginary or hypothetical situation.

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Quick answer

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

Example: I would hold the ladder if I had time.

Full conjugation in the Conditional (would)

PronounFormContraction
Iwould holdI'd hold
Youwould holdYou'd hold
He / She / Itwould holdHe'd / She'd / It'd hold
Wewould holdWe'd hold
You (pl.)would holdYou'd hold
Theywould holdThey'd hold

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 hold ❌

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

3. I would can hold ❌

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

Practice quiz

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Frequently asked questions

How do you conjugate hold with would?+

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

When do you use would hold?+

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 hold in a sentence with if?+

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

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

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

Related pages: hold 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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