Hi,
I think the use of the modal 'would' can (could??) be summed up generally as follows:
It can be used to make or show one's 1) polite request, 2) preference, 3) repeated action in the past, 4) unfulfilled wish and 5) as a polite for "want" (with like) as in "I would like a peach, please."
Out of those five uses, which one is one that shows the hypothetical use of "would" or did the list miss a major use? I did study by looking at past posts about the use of "would" and some available free online sources but those sources or posts do not seem to make much sense to me.
Thank you.