'will' and 'would'
Level: beginner
We use will:
- to express beliefs about the present or future
- to talk about what people want to do or are willing to do
- to make promises, offers and requests.
would is the past tense form of will. Because it is a past tense, it is used:
- to talk about the past
- to talk about hypotheses (when we imagine something)
- for politeness.
Beliefs
We use will to express beliefs about the present or future:
John will be in his office. (present)
We'll be late. (future)
We will have to take the train. (future)
We use would as the past of will, to describe past beliefs about the future:
I thought we would be late, so we would have to take the train.
Willingness
We use will:
- to talk about what people want to do or are willing to do:
We'll see you tomorrow.
Perhaps Dad will lend me the car.
- to talk about typical behaviour, things that we often do (because we are willing to do them):
We always spend our holidays at our favourite hotel at the seaside. We'll get up early every morning and have a quick breakfast then we'll go across the road to the beach.
We use would as the past tense of will:
- to talk about what people wanted to do or were willing to do in the past:
We had a terrible night. The baby wouldn't go to sleep.
Dad wouldn't lend me the car, so we had to take the train.
- to talk about typical behaviour, things that we often did (because we were willing to do them) in the past:
When they were children they used to spend their holidays at their grandmother's at the seaside. They'd get up early every morning and have a quick breakfast. Then they'd run across the road to the beach.
Promises, offers and requests
We use I will or We will to make promises and offers:
I'll give you a lift home after the party.
We'll come and see you next week.
We use Will you … ? or Would you … ? to make requests:
Will you carry this for me, please?
Would you please be quiet?
- will and would 1
- will and would 2
- will and would 3
Level: intermediate
Hypotheses and conditionals
We use will in conditionals to say what we think will happen in the present or future:
I'll give her a call if I can find her number.
You won't get in unless you have a ticket.
We use would to make hypotheses:
- when we imagine a situation:
It would be very expensive to stay in a hotel.
I would give you a lift, but my wife has the car today.
- in conditionals:
I would give her a call if I could find her number.
If I had the money, I'd buy a new car.
You would lose weight if you took more exercise.
If he got a new job, he would probably make more money.
What if he lost his job? What would happen then?
We also use conditionals to give advice :
Dan will help you if you ask him.
Past tenses are more polite:
Dan would help you if you asked him.
- will and would: hypotheses and conditionals
See also: Verbs in time clauses and conditionals
Level: beginner
Expressions with would
We use:
- would you…, would you mind (not) -ing for requests:
Would you carry this for me, please?
Would you mind carrying this?
Would you mind not telling him until tomorrow?
- would you like ..., would you like to ... for offers and invitations:
Would you like another drink?
Would you like to come round tomorrow?
- I would like …, I'd like … (you)(to) ... to say what we want or what we want to do:
I'd like that one, please.
I'd like to go home now.
- I'd rather… (= I would rather) to say what we prefer:
I'd rather have the new one, not the old one.
I don't want another drink. I'd rather go home.
- I would think, I would imagine, I'd guess to give an opinion when we are not sure or when we want to be polite:
It's very difficult, I would imagine.
I would think that's the right answer.
- Expressions with would 1
- Expressions with would 2
Since the match hasn't happened yet, the result is not known. Which should I use "will" or " would" in the following sentence?
Hello kontol abo,
Both will and would are possible here. Will suggests that the outcome (victory) is likely in the speaker's view, while would suggests it is less likely.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
I'm still confused. Does "likely" mean certain to win? And does "less likely" mean to lose in this context? I'm still confused by the point of "will" and "would" here.
Hello again kontol abo,
Likely means you think a Hearts win is probable; less likely means you think they will probably not win. In other words, the choice of will or would is not based on a grammatical rule but rather is an expression of how you see the situation.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello kontal abo,
Since the match has not taken place yet and we can't make a prediction about the result of the match, I would consider the victory as hypothetical for the time being. We can't say before the start of the match whether victory is likely or unlikely. So, where there is this kind of uncertainty, I would prefer the use of 'would' rather than 'will'.
What do you think, kontal abo? Do you agree? Will you let me know? Will any other user let me know?
If the LearnEnglish Team could comment, please?
Shetu Yogme
Hello,
This sentence is from FIC: Playing dirty, Swinson, Kiki:
The whole situation is in the past, but in the distant past (years ago), the character never thought that something would happen in the future (recent past). Why is "would have turned" used here to refer to a future action? What is the difference between "would" and "would've + V3" in this situation?
Thank you
Hello Tony_M,
This is really a question for the author of the sentence! There are many possible ways to construct this sentence and I don't know the author's intention or even the broader context. Really, our role here is to help with our material, not to explain sentences from other sources which may or may not be well constructed.
...would have turned out... is a perfect form, which means that it is retrospective (i.e it looks backward from a particular standpoint). The speaker maybe saying that they never thought that their future self would be looking backwards in surprise at how they turned out: I never thought I would look back at myself and and see myself like this.
As I said, this is a question for the author, however.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Thank you. Got it, no interesting examples, only your material.
Hello Tony,
I think the following sentence makes the best sense:
Don't you think so?
Shetu Yogme
Hello LearnEnglish Team,
I have the following sentence from Greek Mythology Icarus:
Why is 'would' used in above example?
My second question: Whatever be the use of 'would' above, shouldn't we use 'would have', as we are talking about the past?
Shetu Yogme
Hello teachers,
I would be grateful if you could help me with the below.
The below is from an episode of an American detective series.
Detective Moore expresses his displeasure at a lawyer entering the police station where he works.
The lawyer explains to the detective:
I am simply here representing the interest of Mr Eiger's estate.( Mr Eiger was murdered last week )
Detective Moore responds by asking:
And those interest would be what?
My question is: What is the function of "would" in the last sentence above?
Thanks.
Hello Yornis,
I think we've answered very similar questions to this in the past, Yornis, so perhaps you can explain it yourself and we'll be happy to comment on your conclusion.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello teacher,
My opinion on why the detective use "would" is that he wants to show that there is a feeling of uncertainty in him. Am I right?
Thank you for responding.
Hello again Yornis,
The alternative is to use the present simple:
And those interests are what?
This form is a statement (question) about a fact. The form with 'would' suggests that the speaker has doubts, as you say. It suggests that speaker (the detective) is asking about the interests according to you...
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Yornis,
Would you mind if I tried to answer your question once again?
In this case too, the use of 'would' is not a perfect example of a strict grammatical rule, in my opinion. Looking at your last example sentence, I can rewrite it as "And those interests are what?", replacing 'would' with 'are'. We know that we do so when we want to have tentativeness, softness, politeness and indirectness in our tone.
What do you think?
Shetu Yogme
Hello Shetu Yogme,
I thank you for showing an interest in the question that I asked our teacher. If you want to know my opinion, please read my answer to out teacher which I am going to type to our teacher immediately after this. I think there is some similarity to your opinion.
Goodbye
Hello teacher,
I would be grateful if you could help me with my question.
The below question, which obviously is a football commentary, seemed to be asked before by another reader on 22-6-24, but that question is for the use of "would be" before the "a real blow". But my question is for the "would" before "hope":
Oh dear, it looks like Patrick Schick is going to have to go off. He appears to be holding his calf. That is a real shame for the goalscorer. This would be a real blow for the Czech Republic. He is holding his calf. You would hope it's cramp at this stage of the game.
What is the function of "would" before "hope" in the last sentence above?
Thanks.
Hello Yornis,
It is very tricky to comprehensively understand the exact use of 'would' in your example, given the lack of the context. To be honest, I often have a very hard time to make out why 'would' in some sentences is used even if it does not seem to fit any rule described in any grammar book.
In this context, I think the commentator is decribing hypothetical or imaginary situation. He is expressing the idea that it is reasonable for the listeners to hope that Patrick Schick has only a minor cramp. Listeners don't want Patrick Shick to go off. The commentator thinks that listeners are hoping Patrick Schick to be well and healthy and expects that the injury he is suffering is just a cramp. To soften his tone, to add an element of indirectness and tentativeness, to give his polite assessment and to distance himself from the fact, the commentator chose to use 'would', I guess.
What do you think about what I said, Yornis? Would you let me know?
Shetu Yogme
Hello Shetu,
I am honoured to be asked for my opinion. With due respect, I will have to disagree with you. The imaginary or hypothetical part is Patrick Schick leaving the field. The "hope" part is not hypothetical. That is why I disagree with you.
At first, I was certain the "would" is used before "hope" because it is an assumption. But if memory serves me right, we use "would" in cases where we hope for something. So, here "would" is used either because it is "an assumption" or because it is "a hope" -- I do not know which reason; that was why I asked this British Council website.
Another thing I do not understand is why the commentator said "That is a real shame for the goalscorer" rather than "That would be a real shame for the scorer." This player leaving the field is something hypothetical, so I think he should have used "That would be a real shame for the scorer."
Goodbye.
Hello again Yornis,
You could have a look at the 11th definition of 'would' in the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, which says:
https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/would
It says 'would' is usually, not always, used to show disapproval in this meaning. I think your example is the one where the commentator does not use 'would' to show disapproval.
Do you agree?
Shetu Yogme
Hello Shetu,
Looks like our teacher has answered the question and we are both wrong.
Goodbye
Thank you, Yornis, for considering my comments worth replying to.
You are also welcome to answer my questions so that I can get your perspective on the doubts I have about some grammar concepts.
Shetu Yogme
Hello Yornis,
We use would hope in this way to express a positive or desired outcome which we are not sure is true.
It's similar to would like (as in 'What would you like?') in that it's really best treated as an expression rather than an example of a grammatical rule, in my opinion.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello LearnEnglish Team,
I have the following example from The Hindu:
What is the use of 'would' in above sentence?
The countries mentioned above are in reality going to recognise Palestine as an independent state, so there is no element of hypothetical situation, uncertainty, tentativeness or unlikely future here. So whey do they not use 'will'?
Shetu Yogme
Hello Shetu Yogme,
It's a question of interpretation but I expect the author is referring to possible wider recognition by even more countries, beyond those which have already promised to do this.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello sir,
By "it's a question of interpretation" do you mean the author wants to explain possible consequences, not definite predictions? Would the use of 'will' suggest the consequences to be definite, certain and actual?
Can I use 'would' in the following sentence?:
Context: There are discussions going around about a new tax. The tax has been planned and may be implemented soon, but we don't know when it will be implemented. We don't know what effect it will have on various economic activities, small businesses, big buisnesses and other sectors.
Shetu Yogme
Hello again.
What I mean is that the author has a reason for describing this as they did and I'm not privy to their thoughts. I can speculate about it - maybe they don't consider it certain, or maybe they are referring to wider recognition by other states - but I don't know what they have in mind exactly.
Yes, you can use would or will here. Will suggests that the tax is likely or certain to be implemented; would suggests more uncertainty.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello again sir,
We, the readers, are not understandably privy to authors' thoughts. In my opinion, we have to apply our understanding and try to make out the idea from the context given.
There appears another sentence:
Why is 'would' needed here? We know that for any state wanting to have the full UN membership, the approval of the Security Council is required. This is a generally true fact. And, we use 'will' to say what is generally true.
Could you please provide your insights?
Shetu Yogme
Hello again Shetu Yogme,
The answer is the same as before. Will and would are both possible here. Will suggests that the situation is likely or certain; would that it is less likely. Here the speaker/writer does not consider full UN membership likely.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello LearnEnglish Team,
I have the following sentence:
What is the use of 'would' in this sentence?
I think we shouldn't consider this sentence hypothetical. This sentence decribes something that is generally true. Many agreeing to the fact that life is riddled with opportunities and obstacles is generally true. This is referring to a kind of expectation, isn't this?
Am I right?
Shetu Yogme
Hello Shetu Yogme,
There are several options here. You could use present simple (...agree...), will (...will agree...) or would. As you know, these would express a fact, a strong belief and a less strong expectation respectively. All are grammatically correct; the choice is really up to the author.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Thank you very much, sir.
Yes, I can easily make out what meaning the sentence wants to convey. We could use the present simple to state a fact with a kind of directness. As you have explained multiple time, we can use 'would' to add a tone of tentativeness, distancing, politeness and indirectness. That is what the speaker has chosen to use 'would' for.
Will anyone comment?
Yogesh Thakur
How does "would" work in this sentence?
Note that, when there are multiple auxiliary verbs, some of these may be elided as well. For example, in reply to "Who's been leaving the milk out of the refrigerator?", any of "You've been doing it," "You have been," or "You have" would have the same meaning
Hello Plokonyo,
The examples given are hypothetical - no-one has actually said these. Therefore, would is appropriate.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Plokonyo,
I think the speaker is imagining a possibility here. I am not sure what you mean by "no-one has actually said these".
Shetu Yogme
Hello again Plokonyo,
In this case we can use the present simple, which would be too direct but is possible. If I said "A, B and C have the same meaning", it would express the idea of overconfidence, directness, or maybe sometimes impoliteness. In order to make this kind of statement tentative and to soften the tone, we often use 'would'. That's why we could say "A, B and C would have the same meaning."
Am I right, Plokonyo? Could you please let me know?
Shetu Yogme
Hello again Plokonyo,
Some user has asked exactly the same question, which you can have a look at by clicking the link given below and scroll down to read the subsequent answers explaing the reason why 'would' works here:
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/comment/200306#comment-200306
Shetu Yogme
Hello Peter and Yornis,
The Collins dictionary entry for 'would' under 4th definition says:
Here is the link: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/would
But the Longman dictionary entry for 'would' says:
See the 5th definition: https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/will
In conclusion, I can say pretty surely that 'will' and 'would' can be used interchangeably for bliefs and assumptions.
Shetu Yogme
Hello Yornis,
I made a typing mistake while writing the above comment. I wrote 'would' instead of 'will'. What I mean was:
This was Longman dictionary entry for 'will', no 'would'.
Shetu Yogme
Hello teacher(s),
I recently said the below but was not sure to use "would" or "will":
Every time I get a holiday, I visit Canada. You will/would be thinking: "What is so interesting about Canada?" Well, Canada is interesting because................
My guess is that you will say "will" is correct because it is an assumption. Am I right?
Hello Yornis,
Yes, you're right: will is the best choice here. You could also use might or may.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello teacher,
Thanks for answering. You said "will" is the best choice. By this, do you mean "would" is also correct, but not as good a choice as "will"?
If "would" is also acceptable for the above context, what is the function of "would" in such a case?
Thank you
Hello Yornis,
Yes, that's right. I think 'might' or 'may' is the best choice. 'Will' is also fine. 'Would' is much less common in this context but not incorrect.
All of these have the same function/meaning in the sentence. 'Would' is perhaps a little less direct, more tentative and possibly more formal.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Yornis,
For assumption, 'will' is the most preferred choice, I would say. Also, 'may' and 'might' are possible. But I must not say 'would' is not used in the same meaning. I have seen many texts involving 'would' for assumptions. As you say, people might say "You would be thinking..."
What opinion do you have on this, Yornis? Would you let me know?
Shetu Yogme.
Hello Shetu Yogme,
I am honoured that you asked my opinion. Actually I was also going to ask our teacher the same question you asked me above. But it seems our teacher has answered the question in his latest reply above. Like me, you are finding that the word "would" is causing a lot of problems, isn't it? Even some, or many, school teachers do not know all the rules of "would".
Hello Yornis,
Thank you for replying.
In order to avoid confusion, I think it can be more appropriate to use other modal verbs like 'must', 'may/might' or 'may/might well'. So we could say:
Yes, 'will/ would' or in general all the modal verbs are causing a lot of problems for learners like you and me, I agree.
Happy English learning!
Shetu Yogme
Hello LearnEnglish Team,
In a column in an English newspaper, there was an article about a Hindi poet who is considered to be a national poet by many. There is a sentence:
My question is: Why the author chose 'would' instead of 'will'?
My explanation: The author wants to be tentative. He is not making any prediction or expressing likelihood of what will be the true homage. He wants to express his idea about what could be the true homage to the national poet.
Now, could you please comment on this? I think I have not asked these kind of questions before.
Shetu Yogme
Hello Shetu Yogme,
It's hard to comment without knowing the context, but just looking at this sentence I understand it to mean that there is a lack of 'unity in diversity' and the writer wants to suggest that it would be better, and a true homage to the poet, if things were different. In other words, the writer is describing a hypothetical present/future, not a real one.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Peter,
Thank you very much for replying.
I'm pretty sure that my explanation fits here, given the context I have understood while reading the article. The author has used 'would' as a way of tentativeness, distancing and to express his polite opinion. The writer is not describing an impossible future or present. Yes, it can give an impression that there is a lack of unity in diversity, but we don't know for sure that this is the case.
Shetu Yogme