will/would

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Most evenings, I would lie down in a hammock on the beach and read the newspaper or do some light writing. Occasionally, I would go swimming or chat with the locals.

Is it correct to use 'would' instead of 'will' if it is a former routine? IMO, it is not possible.

Many thanks.

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Re: will/would

tanguatlay wrote:

Most evenings, I would lie down in a hammock on the beach and read the newspaper or do some light writing. Occasionally, I would go swimming or chat with the locals.

Is it correct to use 'would' instead of 'will' if it is a former routine? IMO, it is not possible.

Many thanks.

Good evening, Tanguatlay.

That is precisely one of the roles of the modal verb would. This is 'would' describing habitual/routine frequently occurring past actions. In this it's similar to "used to" but it's more emotive in nature.

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Thanks. JTT.

I thought that 'used to' should be used for describing past routine. That means I was wrong.

Thank you.

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tanguatlay wrote:

Thanks. JTT.

I thought that 'used to' should be used for describing past routine. That means I was wrong.

Thank you.

They are both OK. You are not wrong.

When I lived in London, I used to cross the river every day.

When I lived in London, I would cross the river every day.

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What if present routine is involved, should we use 'will' or the simple present?

Many thanks.

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tanguatlay wrote:

What if present routine is involved, should we use 'will' or the simple present?

Many thanks.

Past

When I lived in London, [I would]/[used to] walk to the the river every evening.

Present

Now that I live in London, I walk to the river every evening.

Future

When I live in London, I will walk to the river every evening.

Conditional (intention)

If I lived in London, I would walk to the river every evening.

Conditional (possibility)

If I lived in London, I could walk to the river every evening.

Past (possibility)

When I lived in London, I could walk to the river every evening.

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What would be the pluperfect for that?

A gentleman flies into Boston's Logan airport, and hails a cab. He has not been in New England in many years, and is looking forward to enjoying the many fine seafood dishes available.

Passenger: Say, Cabbie, where can i get scrod?

Cabbie: Well I'll be damned . . . the pluperfect!

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contrex wrote:

tanguatlay wrote:
What if present routine is involved, should we use 'will' or the simple present?

Many thanks.

Present

Now that I live in London, I walk to the river every evening.

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will/would

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