The verb to say · Conjugation
Conditional (would) of say
The answer: would say
B1
An imaginary or hypothetical situation.
Quick answer
The Conditional (would) of the verb to say is would say.
Example: I would say hello if I had time.
Full conjugation in the Conditional (would)
| Pronoun | Form | Contraction |
|---|---|---|
| I | would say | I'd say |
| You | would say | You'd say |
| He / She / It | would say | He'd / She'd / It'd say |
| We | would say | We'd say |
| You (pl.) | would say | You'd say |
| They | would say | They'd say |
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 say ❌
After would, use the base form, with no to and no -s: I would say, she would say. This is true for all modal verbs (helper verbs like can, could, should and must). But remember I would like to say: here, to belongs to like.
3. I would can say ❌
Would cannot go with can or must. Use could instead of “would can”: I could say. Use would have to instead of “would must”: I would have to say.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
How do you conjugate say with would?+
Use would + the base form (the verb with no to): would say. The form is the same for every person: I would say, she would say, they would say. The short form is 'd: I'd say.
When do you use would say?+
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 say in a sentence with if?+
Use if + the Past Simple in one part of the sentence, and would say 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 say and would say?+
Will say is for the real future: something you think will happen. Would say 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 say?+
Would becomes 'd: I'd say, she'd say. The negative would not becomes wouldn't: I wouldn't say. Careful: 'd can also mean had. 'd + base form = would; 'd + past participle = had.
Related pages: say 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/say/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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