"Would" is used to denote conditional situations, often imaginary, either in the past, present or future. Past tense: If she had repented, I would have forgiven her. Real meaning: She didn't repent. (past tense). Present tense: If she repents, I would forgive her. Real meaning: She's not repented yet. (present tense) Future tense: If she repents, I would forgive her. Real meaning: Can be used to imply the possibility that probably she won't repent. The emphasis in that case in the sentence should be more on "if" while trying to imply of that possible condition. Other uses of would: would + can = could would + shall = should would + may = might "What would you like to eat?" is sometimes used as a politer form of "What will you like to eat?" But again, "will" indicates real conditional (more like a direct demand), while "would" could imply imaginary conditional.(a subtle inquiry)