• We use “would” to make polite requests and offers :

– I would like a cup of tea. —> more polite than saying “ I want a cup of tea.”
– Would you like a cup of tea ? —> more polite than saying “Do you want a cup of tea?”

• “Would” is also used in reported speech (to tell others what something said), here “would” is the past tense of “will” :

– Tom will help me. —> Tom said that he would help me.

• We also use it for imaginary conditionals :

– I would buy a house if I won the lottery.

• To talk about past habits :

– When I was 12 years old, I would walk to school everyday.