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Subject:	Re: "Would that I hadn't done that."
From:	Brett Reynolds <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:	Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar <[log in to unmask]>
Date:	Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:40:51 -0400
Content-Type:	text/plain
Parts/Attachments:	text/plain (24 lines)

On 2010-10-18, at 10:54 AM, Marshall wrote:

> Modals are not verbs, as they were earlier in the history of the English language, according to the theory of grammar I was taught. Textbooks also treat it not as a verb.
> 
> So what I'm asking is, is this an example of a form of the modal "would" when it was still a verb? In particular, Is this the a past tense form of "wish" when it was still a verb?

In old English, 'wolde' was past tense of 'willan'. That same relationship holds true today. 'Would' is still the past tense of 'will'. As far as I can tell, 'would' has never been a form of 'wish'.

Best,
Brett

-----------------------
Brett Reynolds
English Language Centre
Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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