3. WILL and WOULD

 

 

 

Will

The modal verb will is used with a main verb, or an auxiliary verb to express the future tense. It is also used to show ideas such as willingness, request, probability, etc.

 

Examples:

    • He saw the hit-and-run accident and will volunteer as a witness. (Willingness)

    • Will 

      you take my dog out for a walk? (Request)

       

    • Will you not talk to me while I am watching television! (Order/command)
    • She will grumble about her husband each time she visits her mother. (Habitual behavior)
    • For our lunch, I will (I’ll) take you to that new restaurant. (Intention)
    • He will keep interrupting. (Annoyance)
    • I will (I’ll) look after your tortoises while you’re away. (Promise)
    • She will be very angry if you call her by her nickname. (Probability/Expectation)
 
 
 

Future form

Besides being used to show a future action, will indicates a determination to perform the action.
 

Examples:

  • All of us will be there as usual.
  • They will find their way without a map.
  • We will walk all the way there.

 

 

Asking question

Will is used in the second and third persons (you, he, she, it, they) in asking questions.

  

Examples:

  • Will 

    you bring enough money for our dinner?

     

  • Will

     you buy that black cat for good luck?

  • Will we walk or cycle all the way along that path?

 

  

Contraction form
The negative and contraction forms of will are won’t.
Will is usually contracted to ’ll when used with a subject pronoun (I, we, you, they, he, she, it).

 

Examples:

  • It will bark if someone passes by.
    (The contraction form is not used when something is emphasized.)
  • Without emphasis: I won't do it.
  • With emphasis: I will not do it. 

 

 

Would

We use would as a past tense of will or to express an idea such as a habitual behaviour, possibility, probability, etc. 

Examples:

  • Before he left her, he would always tell her he would never leave her. (Past tense of will)
  • He would sing in the shower. (Habitual behavior)
  • I think the world would be struck by a meteorite one day. (Possibility)
  • From his husky voice, that would be Mike at the door. (Probability)
  • I wouldn’t attempt to escape from the prison if I were you. (Advice)

  • Would you like me to give you a lift? (Request/Offer) 

  • I would be glad to go along. (Willingness)
  • You would enjoy your stay here. (Prediction)
  • What would you do in this situation? (Polite question/Request opinion)
  • His behavior is not what she would expect from a gentleman. (Opinion)
  • I think you would command more respect if you talk less. (Condition)
  • I would love to own a horse like that. (Desire)

  • Would that (= if only) grandpa were still with us now. (Wish) 

     

  •  

    She would not (wouldn’t) say yes, no or maybe. (Negative statement)