A practical english grammar - Vyssaja skola 1978

The modal WOULD
Sound symbols

a) Futurity with reference to a past verb

He said that he would arrive the next day.

b) Willingness in the past; also, polite requests

My son said he would meet me at the airport. (The negative indicates refusal.)

The postman wouldn’t give me your registered letter; he said it had to be delivered to you personally.

Would you please sign these papers?

c) Contemporary unreality

I would come to see you if I had time.

d) Habitual actions in the past

When John was a student, he and his friends would often sit up all night discussing philosophy and politics.