Spanish

1) To indicate future time within the past

Yesterday I said that we would do it today.

Enrique told me that he would arrive later.

I asked him if he would return from the village very soon.

He answered me no, he would stay himself there for one more week.

2) To indicate a conjecture or probability in the past time

Where would Maria be last night?
Maria would (was likely to) be at home.

Yesterday Enrique did not go to work.
He would (was likely to) be sick.

Do you know that last Friday the director called Pérez to his office?
He would (was likely to) have certain question that do(direct to) him. It's normal.

I did not wear the watch, but I thought it would (was likely to) be 3 o'clock.

3) To soften a statement, suggestion or request
* as oppose to using poder (pudiera), querer(quisiera), deber(debiera) with past subjunctive to add an apologetic tone.

I would like $5.

You should go out more, do not say yourself alone at home, it's worse.

Could you tell me where is the office of the director?

You should quit smoking.