Grammar – Why Use ‘Would’ Instead of ‘Will’ in This Sentence?

grammarmodal-verbsword-usage

The goal for these negotiations is to reach a mutually-agreed long-term comprehensive solution that would ensure IranĖˆs nuclear program will be exclusively peaceful. (Source)

what does would imply here? If it implies future, why will has not been used?

A good link teaching would thoroughly would be really appreciated. Specially, distinguishing between the senses of would is not always easy.

Best Answer

I'm not sure you need a link explaining the full ins and outs of "would" in order to understand the answer to this question.

"Would" is (correctly) used in this sentence to express the fact that such a mutually-agreed long-term comprehensive solution does not currently exist, or at the very least, one has not been agreed upon. (This is a great example by the way, since various situations in Iran are/have been very difficult to resolve!)

We shouldn't use "will" (which would describe a concrete future), in cases such as these, where an outcome is very dependent on many factors (or conditions).

"Would" is the English language's conditional form. "Conditional" indicates that an outcome expressed with "would" is only possible if certain "conditions" are met. Think of "would" as "the furthest future possible".

I hope that at least answers your specific question.

To read more on "would", first check out its primary definitions (which give you some nice examples). This article also helps you on other aspects of this modal verb (past habits etc), and this article may also be of interest.

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