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Russian grammar - Requests, desires and advice with бы

Requests, desires and advice with бы

The particle бы can be used with the past tense form of a verb to form requests, express wishes or desires and to give advice.

forming requests this way softens the request.

expressing wishes or desires with бы gives the sense of the hypothetical or possibility.

proffering advice this way give the sense of 'would be good if'.

Although this form sounds like a past hypothetical ('I would have liked to') it is used to request or advise future action.

Examples:
Я бы хотела купить это платье. Оно мне нравится.
I (female) would like to buy this dress. I like it.

Desired action

хотеть is imperfective

Я бы выучила русский язык, он красивый.
I (female) would learn Russian, it’s beautiful.

Desired action

выучить is perfective

Я хотел бы стакан воды.
I (male) would like a glass of water.

Polite request

хотеть is imperfective

Ты мог бы мне помочь?
Could you (informal) (male) help me?

Polite request

мочь is imperfective

Не могли бы вы принести мне эту книгу?
Could you (formal) bring me this book?

Polite request

мочь is imperfective

Сходил бы ты к врачу.
You’d (informal) (male) better see your doctor.

Suggestion or advice

сходить is perfective

сходить means 'to go and come back' and 'to come down'

Надел бы ты тёплую куртку. Очень холодно.
You (informal) (male) should have put on a warm jacket. It’s cold.

Suggestion or advice

надеть is perfective

Вы бы не облокачивались на дверь, она может открыться.
You (formal) should not lean on the door, it can open.

Suggestion or advice

облокачиваться is imperfective

Ты лучше бы делал уроки на завтра в школу. Иначе учитель поставит тебе плохую оценку.
You (informal) (male) better do your homework for school tomorrow. Otherwise, the teacher will give you a bad grade.

Suggestion or advice

делать is imperfective

Вы бы поспали немного после дороги.
You (formal) should have slept a little after the trip.

Suggestion or advice

поспать is perfective

Вы бы отдохнули немного.
You (formal) should have rested for a while.

Suggestion or advice

отдохнуть is perfective

Если бы у нас была возможность, мы бы научились летать.
If we had the chance, we would learn to fly.

Desired action

научиться is perfective

Не могли бы вы показать нам дорогу к почте?
Could you (formal) show us the way to the post office?

Polite request

мочь is imperfective