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Origin and history of would

would

Middle English wolde, from Old English wolde, past tense and past subjunctive of willan "to will" (see will (v.)).

As a noun, late 14c., "that which (one) would have;" from c. 1600 as "one who affects to be what he is not." Would-be (adj.) "wishing to be, vainly pretending" is recorded from c. 1300. A woulder (c. 1500) was "one given to saying 'I would.' "

Entries linking to would

will(v.1)

"have desire" (for something, that something happen), Middle English willen, from Old English *willan, wyllan "to wish, desire; be willing; be used to; be about to" (past tense wolde), from Proto-Germanic *willjan, reconstructed in Watkins to be from PIE root *wel- (2) "to wish, will."

The use as a future auxiliary was developing in Old English. The implication of intention or volition distinguishes it from shall, which expresses or implies obligation or necessity.

Contracted forms, especially after pronouns, began to appear 16c., as in sheele for "she will." In early use often -ile to preserve pronunciation. The form with an apostrophe ('ll) is from 17c.

Germanic cognates include Old Saxon willian, Old Norse vilja, Old Frisian willa, Dutch willen, Old High German wellan, German wollen, Gothic wiljan "to will, wish, desire," Gothic waljan "to choose."

PIE root *wel- (2) "to wish, will" also is given in Watkins as the reconstructed source of Sanskrit vrnoti "chooses, prefers," varyah "to be chosen, eligible, excellent," varanam "choosing;" Avestan verenav- "to wish, will, choose;" Greek elpis "hope;" Latin volo, velle "to wish, will, desire;" Old Church Slavonic voljo, voliti "to will," veljo, veleti "to command;" Lithuanian velyti "to wish, favor," pa-velmi "I will," viliuos "I hope;" Welsh gwell "better."

Compare also Old English wel "well," literally "according to one's wish;" wela "well-being, riches."

could(v.)

Old English cuðe, past tense of cunnan "to be able" (see can (v.1)); ending changed 14c. to standard English -d(e). The unetymological -l- was added 15c.-16c. on model of would, should, where it is historical. Could be as a response to a suggestion, indicating it may be correct, is by 1938.

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