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The verb to retell · Conjugation

Conditional (would) of retell

The answer: would retell

B1

An imaginary or hypothetical situation.

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Quick answer

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

Example: I would retell the story if I had time.

Full conjugation in the Conditional (would)

PronounFormContraction
Iwould retellI'd retell
Youwould retellYou'd retell
He / She / Itwould retellHe'd / She'd / It'd retell
Wewould retellWe'd retell
You (pl.)would retellYou'd retell
Theywould retellThey'd retell

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 retell ❌

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

3. I would can retell ❌

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

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Frequently asked questions

How do you conjugate retell with would?+

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

When do you use would retell?+

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 retell in a sentence with if?+

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

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

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

Related pages: retell 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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