Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
I would was
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The part of the sentence "I would was" is not correct in written English.
The correct verb form is "I would be". For example, "If I had the chance, I would be the best teacher in the world."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Wiki
Science
Alternative expressions(20)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
"Who Said I Would" was not released as a single on this album.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
I would be reassured.
News & Media
I would be squeamish.
News & Media
I would be fine.
News & Media
"I would be lying".
News & Media
I would be happier".
News & Media
I would be honored".
News & Media
"I would be afraid".
News & Media
I would be.
News & Media
I would be delighted".
News & Media
"I would be ashamed.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always use "I would be" instead of "I would was" to ensure grammatical correctness. This applies to all contexts, whether formal or informal.
Common error
Do not confuse the past tense "was" with the infinitive form "be" when using "would". "Would" requires the base form of the verb, which is "be."
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
1.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "I would was" is an incorrect conjugation attempting to express a conditional or hypothetical state. The auxiliary verb "would" requires the base form of the verb "be", not the past tense form "was". As Ludwig AI points out, this constitutes a grammatical error.
Frequent in
Science
0%
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Science
0%
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "I would was" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. The correct form is "I would be", which is used to express hypothetical or conditional statements. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, highlighting the importance of using the correct verb conjugation. While sources like The New York Times and BBC appear in the search results, they demonstrate the correct usage of similar phrases rather than validating "I would was". Always ensure the verb "be" follows "would" for grammatical accuracy.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
I would be
Corrects the grammatical error by using the correct verb form after 'would'.
I would have been
Expresses a hypothetical situation in the past.
If I were
Introduces a conditional clause expressing a hypothetical situation.
I was going to
Indicates a past intention that may not have been fulfilled.
I intended to be
Similar to 'I was going to', but emphasizes intention.
I should have been
Expresses regret or obligation regarding a past action.
I might have been
Indicates a possibility in the past.
I could have been
Indicates a potential ability or opportunity in the past.
I used to be
Indicates a past state or condition that no longer exists.
Had I been
Inverts the conditional clause for emphasis, expressing a past hypothetical.
FAQs
What is the correct way to use "I would" in a sentence?
The correct form is "I would be" followed by a verb or adjective, such as "I would be happy to help" or "I would be going if I had the time".
What can I say instead of the incorrect phrase "I would was"?
Use the correct form "I would be" to express a hypothetical or conditional state.
Which is correct, "I would was" or "I would be"?
"I would be" is the grammatically correct form. "I would was" is incorrect.
When should I use "I would have been" instead of "I would be"?
"I would have been" is used to discuss hypothetical situations in the past, while "I would be" refers to hypothetical situations in the present or future.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
1.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested