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Modal Verbs Will and Would
'Will' and 'would' are two modal verbs that are mainly used to talk about willingness and hypothetical situations. 'Will' is most commonly used to talk about the future. 'Would' is the past tense form of 'will', and can be used to talk about regular actions or form polite requests.
Will
'Will' is a modal verb that is used to:
show willingness
express plans and decisions
ask somebody to do something
invite somebody to do something
order somebody to do something
promise to do something in the future
Predicting the Future
We use the verb 'will' to talk about the future; we use it to predict something about the future or express expectations.
You'll be late if you don't hurry.
Showing Willingness
'Will' can also show that someone is willing to do something. It can express intention or determination. For example:
I will solve this problem.
He won't agree to the plan.
Here, the sentence is concerned with his willingness to agree with the plan.
Expressing Plans and Decisions
We use 'will' to talk about decisions and plans that we are certain about.
By next year we will be living in Italy.
The kids are hungry. I will make dinner soon.
Asking Somebody to Do Something
You can use 'will' to ask somebody to do something for you. It is rather polite and formal.
Will you proofread this essay for me, please?
Inviting Somebody to Do Something
'Will' can be used to invite somebody to do something.
Will you come to the movies with me tonight?
Making Offers or Suggestions
If you want to offer or suggest something, you can use 'will'.
I'll make some tea, if you want.
Ordering Somebody to Do Something
'Will' is used for ordering somebody to do something. It is rather informal and direct.
You'll clean your room now!
Will you shut up?
Promising to Do Something in the Future
We use 'will' to make promises or vows.
I will love you forever!
Would
'Would' is considered as the past tense of 'will'. But in some cases it does not actually refer to the past; rather, it expresses ideas more tentatively or more politely.
Would: Functions
'Would' is used to express particular senses, including:
regular and typical activity in the past
refusals in the past
politely offering or making requests
Regular Activities in the Past
'Would' is used to talk about things that often happened in the past. In this case, 'would' is synonymous with 'used to'.
When my grandma visited us, she would tell us stories.
'Would' is also used to talk about a regular activity or habit that is thought to be typical. Note that, in this case, by using 'would' we are expressing annoyance.
She would wear that dress everywhere. She's always trying to get attention.
It is implied that the speaker is irritated by this repeated action.
Expressing Refusals in the Past
You can use 'would' to show that somebody or something refused to do something in the past.
Remember that in this use, we use the negative form of would, i.e. 'wouldn't'.
Mom, Sam wouldn't play with me.
My car wouldn't start this morning.
Politely Offering or Making Requests
'Would' is also used for making polite offers or invitations. Typically, 'would' is used with the verb 'like'.
Would you like a sandwich?
Additionally, 'would' is used in question form to ask somebody politely to do something.
Would you open the door for me, please?
Clause Types that Require 'Would'
Some specific types of clauses call for the use of past modals, including 'would':
Reported Speech
'Would' is used as the past form of 'will' in reported speech when reporting or quoting what somebody has said or thought.
He said he would be here at eight o'clock.
His words were: 'I will be there at eight o'clock.'
I said I would take responsibility for my actions.
Remote Conditionals
'Would' can be used in the result clause of second and third conditionals, which refer to unlikely or unreal scenarios in the present or past. For example:
If I were rich, I would buy a car.
This sentence is an example of a second conditional. In reality, the speaker is not rich and he is imagining a future.
If I had studied hard, I would have passed the exam.
The speaker is using a third conditional, because he didn't work hard, and he didn't pass the exam and he cannot change the past.
Past Subjunctives
The verb 'wish' and some other expressions like 'as if,' 'if only,' etc. require the clause that follows them to be in the past subjunctive mood. The past subjunctive uses the past simple tense of the verbs, which means 'would' is always used in these clauses instead of 'will.' Take a look at the examples below:
I wish you would be more careful.
If only you would listen to me for once.
Review
'Will' and 'would' are commonly used in English. They serve many functions that are summed up in the tables below:
will | |
|---|---|
predicting the future | You will become a doctor. |
expressing plans and decisions | I will travel to Japan. |
asking somebody to do something | Will you close the door? |
inviting somebody to do something | Will you come for dinner? |
making offers or suggestions | Will you stop being too pessimistic? |
ordering somebody to do something | You will study your lessons! |
promising to do something in the future | I will send the e-mails. |
would | |
|---|---|
regular and typical activity in the past | My mother would bake a cake every night back then. |
expressing refusals in the past | He wouldn't talk to her unless she calls first. |
politely offering or making requests | Would you like a cup of tea? |
in reported speech | They didn't say it would take this long. |
in remote conditionals | If I were you I would get divorced. |
in past subjunctives | I wish he would stop talking during the movie. |
Quiz:
Match each sentence with the correct function of "will."
Which sentence correctly uses "will" to invite someone?
Will you help me fix my computer?
Will you be home before dinner?
Will you join us for a picnic this weekend?
Will she take notes during the meeting?
Fill the blanks with the correct modal: "will" or "would."
According to the weather report, it
snow tomorrow.
When I was young, I
play outside every day.
I
always stand by you, no matter what.
The printer
not work this morning.
you like some coffee?
Sort the words to form a sentence using reported speech.
Which sentence uses the correct modal in a second conditional?
If it rains, we will cancel the picnic.
If she came, we will show her around.
If I would be taller, I could reach the shelf.
If I knew French, I would translate the letter.
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