In English there is a significant difference between
the uses of would and will. Knowing when to use the terms correctly is an
important part of mastering the English language.
Will and
would are both types of auxiliary verbs that are known as modal verbs. Other
modal verbs include: could, shall, might, may, can, ought to and must. Modal
verbs don’t really have any meaning on their own, but act as helpers to give
further meaning to other verbs.
Will is used in future structures.
1. Statement referring to the future – fact, timetable, etc.
| - We’ll (= we will) have two extra
lessons this afternoon. - It will be Tuesday tomorrow. - Their bus will leave at 7.30. |
2. Instant decision
- The phone is ringing, I’ll go and answer it.
- What will you eat? I’ll have roast beef. |
3. Request
| - Will you tell your father that we expect him
for dinner? - Will you copy this file and print it for yourself? |
4. Promise, offer, prediction
| - I will always love you. - Can’t you do your homework? Don’t worry, I’ll come and help you. - Don’t trust her, she will always tell you lies. |
5. Open condition
- We’ll go fishing at the weekend if the weather is good.
|
Would:
“
Would
” has
several functions. First, it functions as thepast tense of “will”.
Second, it
functions as the conditional mood of “will”. Third, it is used to be polite.
The
negative of
would is “would not” or the contraction “wouldn’t” :
Example:
I would try
to act like my father when I was young.
In this
example “would” functions as the past tense of “will”.
Example:
I would get
a tan if I worked at the pool.
In this
example “would” functions as the conditional mood of “will”
Example:
I would like
more tea please.
In this
example “would” is used to be polite.
Directions:
Circle the
correct auxiliary modal verb in each sentence
