This tag is for questions asking about difference between two auxiliary verbs: will and would. Questions that only have to do with one of them can also use this tag, because the two modal verbs share a lot in common and can be easily confused.
Questions tagged [will-would]
209 questions
4
votes
1 answer
Will and would for "has the capacity to"
Source (Longman's English Grammar, 20th Edition 2003)
page No 247
I've read in Longman English grammar.pdf that will and would can suggest 'has the capacity to' and would is more tentative than will-
For examples:
That container will/won't hold a…
yubraj
- 2,808
- 22
- 74
- 112
2
votes
2 answers
Giving advice: Do you think it wouldn't be a good idea to...?
If I want to advise you, I can say, e.g.:
You should see a doctor
You ought to get to the doctor
Do you think it wouldn't be a good idea to see a doctor?
https://www.eltconcourse.com/training/initial/functions/form_function.html#2
Is the third…
GJC
- 809
- 4
- 13
2
votes
1 answer
A question about modals
What is the difference in meaning between:
Would the boss cancel the meeting?
Will the boss cancel the meeting?
When should one use first, and when second?
user126190
2
votes
2 answers
Difference between "difficult to believe that the situation {would/will} return to normal"
While reading a newspaper, I found this sentence
Even if an argument is put forward that many of today's excesses do not reflect long term reality, It is difficult to believe that the situation would return to the previous normal. (source)
I…
Ramteja Guthikonda
- 416
- 4
- 10
2
votes
1 answer
would + verb construction
I've been learning English for some time now, but have a huge problems with all constructions with 'would'.
For example today I found that out in one of the NYT articles:
[...]He wouldn’t learn anything. He was making no effort to…
Lukasz
- 21
- 1
2
votes
1 answer
Will be or would be?
I looked at a text a friend of mine wrote. She almost always uses "would be" or "would have" instead of "will be" or "will have".
An international team of scientists collected insects with so-called “Malaise traps” in 63 protected areas in Germany.…
Marcin Nowak
- 473
- 7
- 18
2
votes
1 answer
but other ladies carried such things, so she also **would have one
Next she selected a parasol from a large and varied assortment in the rear of the store. Not that she had any idea what it was used for; but other ladies carried such things, so she also would have one.
Source:…
bart-leby
- 8,673
- 15
- 64
- 114
2
votes
2 answers
"will" vs "would" in hypothetical situations
I am aware that in hypothetical situations one should use "would" instead of "will". But I came across this text:
The World Bank report addresses a particular worry of Russian
authorities: that unemployment will translate into civil unrest.
-…
vho
- 879
- 11
- 33
- 44
1
vote
3 answers
Is would necessary here?
I was afraid that this book sold out very fast.
I was afraid that this book would sell out very fast.
Are both sentences correct? What is the meaning each one convey?
Yves Lefol
- 7,469
- 12
- 49
- 88
1
vote
1 answer
will vs would (in the meaning "am/are/is willing to")
cambridge.org: "Will" and "would" can be used in conditional clauses, either with the meaning of ‘being willing to do something’, or to refer to later results:
(1) If Clare will meet us at the airport, it will save us a lot of time.
(2) If you would…
Loviii
- 4,074
- 2
- 15
- 48
1
vote
1 answer
Modal verbs: "would" as a guess
I know that "would" can be used in the situations below:
A doorbell is ringing. My mother says:
It would/will/could/might/may/must be John, I will open the door.
"would" here refers to something like a guess: "I guess it is John."
I don't know if…
LE HANH
- 393
- 2
- 14
1
vote
1 answer
Why 'would' in this example?
In the Marvin Gaye song "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" the refrain is:
Ooo I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Ooo I heard it through the grapevine
And I'm just about to lose my mind
Why not "will" instead of…
Yves Lefol
- 7,469
- 12
- 49
- 88
1
vote
0 answers
I'd like/want to come, but
Friend: John, can you come to the party tonight?
John: Sorry, no. I'd like to come, but my mum's very ill and I have to look after her.
John: Sorry, no. I want to come, but my mum's very ill and I have to look after her.
Do they both sound…
Mr. X
- 828
- 8
- 18
1
vote
1 answer
Different usages of "will" and "would"
Mechanical testing provides information about the suitability of a material for its intended application to help companies design products that will perform as expected.
Does "will" here implies the writer's opinion about what seems to be definite…
friends
- 93
- 2
1
vote
1 answer
confusion of usage of would
I have heard these type of sentences
1) I would like to invite Mr.Ram to the stage
2)I would like to thankyou
Why would is used in these sentences? Are they hypotetical ? Are the conditional, with some implicit or unstated condition?
ramteja guthikonda
- 494
- 1
- 8
- 17