If I want to answer this question:
Would you agree that subjects like science and maths are more difficult than art and literature?
Can I say "I would not agree on this matter"? Why or why not?
Learn English – Is “would” correct in the answer “I would not agree on this matter”
modal-verbsspoken-english
Best Answer
"Would" is conditional. It can serve several purposes.
As an actual conditional, there would be a condition. "Would you agree...if...?" Your response could be a simple yes or no since the conditions have already been stipulated.
Similarly, if the question is "Do you agree...?", you could respond with a simple yes or no if the answer is that straightforward. If your answer is conditional, you could respond, "I would, if ..."
"Do you agree..." frames the question as a binary choice. "Would" can use its conditional nature to simply soften the question or ask it in a polite way. In that case, there is not an explicit condition, it is more a matter of affording some wiggle room in the answer by recognizing the possibility of conditions.
In this case, the response to "Would you agree..." could be yes or no, but it could also be the parallel construction "I would" or "I would not", without stating explicit conditions. That response would be ambiguous as to whether you actually mean yes/no, or the answer depends on conditions. You could also include explicit conditions.