Meaning
Today's Sentences
- I wouldn’t want you to be late.
- I wouldn’t want you to get sick.
- I wouldn’t want you to be alone.
- I wouldn’t want you to eat too much.
- I wouldn’t want you to get into a fight.
- Writer's Note
01
I wouldn’t want you to be late.
Situation 1
Thanks for coming to visit me.
What are you doing later?
Que faites-vous plus tard ?
I’m gonna go visit my Grandma.
How are you for time?
I wouldn’t want you to be late.
Je ne voudrais pas que vous soyez en retard.
I’ve got about 30 minutes before I should get going.
Situation 2
It’s been great catching up with you.
Likewise.
It’s so good to hear that you’re doing well.
C’est tellement agréable d’entendre que vous allez bien.
Are you okay for time?
I wouldn’t want you to be late.
Je ne voudrais pas que vous soyez en retard.
Actually, I should get going.
I’ve gotta pick up the kids from school.
Je dois aller chercher les enfants à l'école.
02
I wouldn’t want you to get sick.
Situation 1
You should wear something warmer.
Like a sweater or jacket?
The mornings are getting chillier
I wouldn’t want you to get sick.
Je ne voudrais pas que vous tombiez malade.
Okay.
Situation 2
Are you coughing?
Yes, I’ve got a bit of a sore throat.
Can I pick up some medicine for you?
I wouldn’t want you to get sick.
Je ne voudrais pas que vous tombiez malade.
If you can, that would be helpful.
I’ve got a sore throat, cough, and sneezing.
J'ai mal à la gorge, je tousse et j'éternue.
03
I wouldn’t want you to be alone.
Situation 1
I’m gonna walk home.
I can give you a ride.
I wouldn’t want you to be alone.
Je ne voudrais pas que vous soyez seul.
It’s okay.
It’s just a few blocks away.
C'est juste à quelques pâtés de maisons.
Alright.
Let me know when you get home.
Faites-moi savoir quand vous arrivez chez vous.
Situation 2
My friends were over but they just left.
Are you okay?
I wouldn’t want you to be alone.
Je ne voudrais pas que vous soyez seul.
I’m okay.
I’ll just clean up a bit before my family gets home.
Je vais juste nettoyer un peu avant que ma famille ne rentre à la maison.
Well, let me know if you need some company.
04
I wouldn’t want you to eat too much.
Situation 1
Thanks for preparing all this food.
You’re welcome.
It was my pleasure.
C'était un plaisir.
I just might overeat!
Don’t do that.
I wouldn’t want you to eat too much.
Je ne voudrais pas que vous mangiez trop.
Situation 2
Is this plate all for me?
It is.
But you don’t have to finish it.
Mais vous n'êtes pas obligé de le terminer.
It looks really good.
I wouldn’t want you to eat too much.
05
I wouldn’t want you to get into a fight.
Situation 1
My husband tries to help around the house.
He takes out the garbage and does the dishes.
Il sort les poubelles et fait la vaisselle.
Really? No one ever helps me at our house.
I should ask him why he never does things for me.
Je devrais lui demander pourquoi il ne fait jamais rien pour moi.
I wouldn’t want you to get into a fight.
Some things need to be said.
Situation 2
Well, I don’t think she can be trusted.
Why?
I wouldn’t want you to get into a fight.
So I’m telling you now that she’s been lying.
Alors je vous le dis maintenant, elle a menti.
Thanks for letting me know.
Writer's Note
It is a contraction of "would not", which makes it sound more natural in conversation. While the literal translation to "Why would not want you to" is grammatically correct, it sounds awkward and is rarely used in modern English. The contraction "wouldn't" helps the sentence flow better and makes it sound more conversational.
