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' and '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 behavior, 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)