How to use the word would and will

В этой статье мы подробно разберем модальные глаголы will, would и shall. Узнаем, как с их помощью выразить вероятность события, просьбу, сожаление и ваши предпочтения.

Модальные глаголы отличаются от простых глаголов тем, что не употребляются самостоятельно и не обозначают какое-то действие. Они показывают отношение говорящего к этому действию, и у них есть свои особенности в построении предложений. Перед тем как перейти к изучению случаев употребления модальных глаголов will, would и shall, предлагаем узнать, как их правильно использовать в разных типах предложений.

Построение предложений с модальными глаголами will, would и shall

Давайте посмотрим на примеры предложений с модальными глаголами will, would и shall.

Примеры утвердительных предложений:

I will love you no matter what! — Я буду любить тебя несмотря ни на что!
It would be nice to talk to him. — Было бы здорово с ним поговорить.

Примеры отрицательных предложений:

I will not tell anyone. — Я никому не расскажу.
They wouldn’t help us. — Они бы нам не помогли.

Примеры вопросительных предложений:

Will you help me tonight? — Поможешь мне сегодня вечером?
Would you fix it? — Ты починишь это?
Shall we go out tonight? — Может, пойдем погуляем вечером?

Модальный глагол will

Наверняка вам знаком глагол will как вспомогательный — он используется для образования времени Future Simple.

He will come tomorrow. — Он завтра придет.
I will not work that day. — Я не буду работать в этот день.
Will the train arrive on time? — Поезд прибудет вовремя?

Давайте рассмотрим, в каких случаях will употребляется как модальный глагол.

1. Готовность сделать что-то

   Мы используем will, когда нужно сказать, что кто-то готов выполнить какое-то действие сейчас или в ближайшем будущем.

   I will cook dinner for you. — Я приготовлю тебе ужин.
   He will redecorate the room for his son. — Он сделает косметический ремонт в комнате для сына.

   Используйте won’t, когда человек отказывается делать что-то или когда что-то (например, техника) не работает. На русский язык такие предложения переводятся в настоящем времени.

   The car won’t start! — Машина не заводится!
   I ask her out every day but she won’t agree! — Я каждый день зову ее на свидание, но она не соглашается!

2. Просьба, предложение

   Если вам нужно о чем-то спросить или попросить, употребляйте will. Чаще всего такие вопросы адресованы второму лицу (you — ты, вы).

   Will you take children to school? — Отвезешь детей в школу?
   Will you stay and have lunch with us? — Останешься пообедать с нами?

3. Вероятность или уверенность

   С помощью will можно говорить о событиях, которые вероятнее всего произойдут. Часто в подобных ситуациях используют слова probably (вероятно), certainly/definitely (точно).

   He will certainly pass his math exam. — Он точно сдаст экзамен по математике.
   We definitely will not invite him to our housewarming party! — Мы точно не будем приглашать его на наше новоселье!
4. Приказ

   Еще один случай использования will — приказы, распоряжения, команды.

   You will go upstairs and clean your room! — Ты поднимешься наверх и уберешь свою комнату!
   I don’t care what he wants! He will not quit his job! — Мне все равно, чего он хочет! Он не уволится с работы!

5. Обещание, предупреждение

   Если вам нужно что-то пообещать или предупредить о чем-то, вам поможет глагол will.

   I will give you a ride, don’t worry. — Я тебя подвезу, не переживай.
   It is raining outside. You will get wet! — На улице дождь. Ты промокнешь!

Модальный глагол would

Модальный глагол would — это прошедшая форма глагола will. Рассмотрим случаи употребления would:

1. Вежливая просьба или предложение

   С глаголом would ваши просьбы и предложения будут звучать более вежливо, чем с глаголом will.

   Would you please bring me the report? — Ты не могла бы принести мне отчет?
   Would you show me around? — Вы не могли бы показать мне город?

2. Готовность делать что-то в прошлом

   Используйте would для описания ситуаций, в которых вы готовы были делать какие-то вещи.

   She would eagerly wash the dishes and iron clothes, but she didn’t like sweeping the floor. — Она охотно мыла посуду и гладила вещи, но не любила подметать пол.

   Используем would not, когда человек отказался что-то делать или когда что-то не работало в прошлом.

   I know he was at home but he would not answer the phone. — Я знаю, что он был дома, но на телефон он не отвечал.
   I was late because the elevator wouldn’t go this morning! I got stuck! — Я опоздал, потому что лифт никак не хотел ехать этим утром! Я застрял!

3. Гипотетическая ситуация

   Употребляем would вместе с глаголом в инфинитивной форме без частицы to, когда не уверены в чем-то или описываем нереальную ситуацию в настоящем.

   I don’t like this coffee. It would taste much better with some cream. — Мне не нравится этот кофе. Он был бы вкуснее со сливками.

   Также гипотетическую ситуацию о настоящем или будущем можно выразить с помощью условных предложений второго типа.

   He would travel to Asia if he had more money. — Он бы поехал в Азию, если бы у него было больше денег.
   Teachers would be more motivated to work if they were paid more. — Учителя были бы более мотивированы работать, если бы им платили больше.

   Когда описываем нереальную ситуацию в прошлом, используем would have вместе с глаголом в третьей форме.

   It is a pity you could not join us at the bar. You would have loved the place! — Жаль, что ты не смог присоединиться к нам в баре. Тебе бы очень понравилось это место!

   Также гипотетическую ситуацию о прошлом можно описать с помощью условных предложений третьего типа.

   I would have driven you home if you had asked me to. — Я бы подвез тебя домой, если бы ты меня попросила.
   If he had spent less time playing video games and more time studying, he would have passed the exam! — Если бы он тратил меньше времени на игры и больше на учебу, он бы сдал экзамен!

4. Прошлые привычки

   Модальный глагол would нужен для описания действий, которые кто-то регулярно выполнял в прошлом, но больше этого не делает.

   Every winter we would go skiing in the Alps. — Каждую зиму мы ездили кататься на лыжах в Альпы.
   He would come to play with me every evening when we were kids. — Он приходил поиграть со мной каждый вечер, когда мы были детьми.

   

5. Предпочтения

   Сказать о своих предпочтениях можно с помощью выражений would like (хотел бы), would love (был бы очень рад) и would prefer (предпочел бы). Обратите внимание, если после этих выражений следует глагол, то перед ним нужно поставить частицу to.

   I would like to find out more about this palace. The guidebook says it’s haunted. — Я бы хотел узнать больше об этом дворце. В путеводителе сказано, что там живут привидения.
   They would love to come, but Michael works on Saturday, so it is impossible. — Они бы с радостью приехали, но Майкл работает в субботу, поэтому это невозможно.
   He would prefer a room overlooking the sea. — Он бы предпочел номер с видом на море.

6. Сожаление, раздражение, недовольство

   Когда мы сожалеем о том, что не в силах изменить, используем конструкцию I wish. Говоря о настоящем, используем конструкцию I wish I did (Past Simple), а говоря о прошлом — I wish I had done (Past Perfect). Если же мы выражаем недовольство сложившимся положением дел и при этом надеемся на изменения, употребляем I wish smb would do или if only smb would do. Сравните:

   I wish I had not dropped out of university. — Жаль, что я ушел из университета. (сожаление о прошлом, которое мы не в силах изменить)
   I wish I lived in London. — Жаль, что я не живу в Лондоне. (сожаление о настоящем, которое мы не в силах изменить)
   I wish she would stop complaining all the time! — Мне бы очень хотелось, чтобы она перестала постоянно жаловаться! (недовольство и надежда на изменения)
   If only he would stop making so much trouble. — Если бы только он перестал создавать столько неприятностей! (недовольство и надежда на изменения)

Модальный глагол shall

Раньше модальный глагол shall наравне с will служил вспомогательным глаголом для построения будущего времени и использовался с местоимениями I (я) и we (мы). Но в современном английском эта форма считается устаревшей. Для чего же нужен модальный глагол shall сейчас? У него осталась одна функция — используем shall с местоимениями I (я) и we (мы), когда предлагаем что-то или просим совет.

Shall we invite your parents for dinner? — Может, пригласим твоих родителей на ужин?
When shall we start? — Когда можем начать?
What time shall I come? — Во сколько мне прийти?

Shall I или Shall we также ставят в конце разделительных вопросов (tag questions), которые начинаются с let’s (давай/давайте), чтобы что-то предложить.

Let’s dance, shall we? — Потанцуем, хорошо?
Let’s order a pizza, shall we? — Давай закажем пиццу, хорошо?

Потренироваться в употреблении модальных глаголов will, would и shall вы можете на занятиях курса «Практическая грамматика».

Теперь вы знаете больше о функциях модальных глаголов will, would и shall в английском языке. Пройдите тест, чтобы закрепить знания на практике.

Тест по теме «Модальные глаголы will, would, shall в английском языке»

Verb conjugation is difficult, even on a basic level. The rules that govern regular verb conjugation are predictable and simple. However, many verbs are irregular, and both regular and irregular verbs have many obscure tenses that can be difficult to remember.

Will is one such verb. Conjugated in some tenses, it forms would, but would also has other uses. Continue reading for an overview of these two confusing verbs.

What is the Difference Between Will and Would?

In this post, I will compare will vs. would. I will use each of these verbs in example sentences, so that you can see it in its proper context.

Plus, I will show you how to use a memory tool that will help you choose will or would for your own writing.

When to Use Will

What does will mean? Will can be a noun, in which case it has various meanings. In this article, though, I will be concerned with will as a verb.

Will is a modal auxiliary verb, where it describes an action that is expected to take place in the future. It modifies many verbs in their future tenses.

Here are some examples,

• You will arrive at the airport at 10:15am Thursday morning and escort the ambassador back to the royal palace.
• Catalina will turn us in at the earliest opportunity.
• I will sell my car when I can afford to buy a newer one.
• Apple Inc. said Wednesday it will open its new campus in April and spend six months moving employees into a glass-encased building reminiscent of a spaceship. –The Wall Street Journal

When to Use Would

What does would mean? Would is another verb with multiple senses. Sometimes, it is the past tense of will but only under certain conditions.

Would describes something that was in the future at the time of the original action, but is no longer in the future now.

Here is an example,

• “Jess said she would pick up the pizza,” said Erik.

In this example, Jess made a statement in the past about her intention to pick up a pizza in the near future. However, Erik is now referring to the event from a point even further in the future.

Here is another example,

• Nissan said its new chief executive would be Hiroto Saikawa, a 40-year company veteran who had served as Nissan’s “chief competitive officer” and had led its operations in North America. –The New York Times

Would is also a conditional verb. It indicates an action that would happen if certain circumstances were met.

Here is an example,

• I would buy a dishwasher if you ever cooked us anything.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Here is a helpful trick to remember would vs. will.

Since both will and would have so many different senses, it can be difficult to remember when to choose which one. One easy rule of thumb is that will is never past tense. It can be present tense and several different future moods and tenses, but never past tense.

You can easily remember that will is never past tense since the words will and past don’t use any of the same letters.

Summary

It is will or would? Will and would are verbs, and each can be used many different ways.

• Will can be a present tense verb that means to cause something to happen through force of desire. It can also be a modal auxiliary verb in various tenses.
• Would is a past tense form of will. It is also a conditional verb that indicates an action that would happen under certain conditions.

You can remember that will is never past tense since it shares no letters with past.

In summary,

• Would is sometimes past tense.
• Will is never past tense.

If you are ever stuck choosing would or will again, you can use this article as a refresher.

Are you confused about the difference between will and would in English?

It makes sense if you are because will and would are both modal verbs. This means that we use them with other verbs to talk about things such as possibility, obligation, suggestion, or asking for permission.Advertisements

Many English learners get will and would confused because they’re used in very similar situations. But they’re not the same.

The main difference between will and would is that will is used for real possibilities while would is used for imagined situations in the future.

Of course, this is a simple explanation. To fully understand how to use will and would, we’ll need to cover the following points in more detail:Advertisements

• How to use will

• How to use would

• The difference between will and would in conditionals

• The difference between will and would when making requests

• The difference between will and would when offering something

• The difference between will and would when giving advice

• How to use will and would in reported speech

If you’re ready to finally learn how to use will and would, let’s get started!

Will and Would differences and tips

How to use “will”

First, let’s take a look at a few ways that we use the modal verb will in English.

Using “will” to give information about the future

We commonly use will to give or ask for information about the future. Remember that we can shorten “I will” or “We will” to create the contraction “I’ll” or “We’ll”:

• We’ll head home after work.

• What time will they get here?

• The conference will be held in Meeting Room A.

We also use will to talk about what we think, or guess will happen:

• Don’t lend him your car. He’ll crash it.

• Who do you think will win tomorrow?

Using “will” when we’re willing to doing something

We often use will to talk about things that we are ready to do or that we’re open to doing without any issues or objections:

• I’ll eat whatever they’re serving. I’m not picky at all.

• Sure, I’ll have a cup of coffee. Thanks!

• I know she’ll go to Paris with me.

• Mr. Johnson? Dr. Ramirez will see you now.Advertisements

Using “will” for rules or orders

You’ll often hear will used to talk about general rules. You’ll see will on signs, in codes of conduct or company policies and procedures:

• Smokers will be asked to smoke outside.

• Students will remain on campus during school hours.

And sometimes you’ll hear people use will to give orders or commands, although we consider this extremely direct and even aggressive:

• You will pick up your room!

• You will not speak to me that way!

How to use “would”

Before we talk about the main differences between will and would, let’s talk about some common uses for would in English:

Using “would” for expectations in the past

We can use would to talk about things that we were expecting to happen in the past:

• The sky was getting cloudy, which meant it would rain.

• She wanted to call him, but she knew he wouldn’t answer.

• It was 3:00 pm. He would be home soon.

Using “would” to talk about past habits

We can also use would to mean “used to.” So, we can use it to talk about things that we used to do routinely:

• When we lived in the mountains, we would go hiking all the time.

• When I was a kid, my dad would read me stories every night.

But be careful: When we use would in this context, we have to make it clear that we’re talking about the past. For instance, notice how we use used to and not would in the following examples:

• We used to smoke.

• I used to go jogging more.

Because would has a few different uses, it’s confusing to say:

• We would smoke.

• I would go jogging more.

If we don’t clarify that we’re talking about the past, it can sound like we’re talking about something we might do in the present if we had the opportunity. For clarity, it’s better to use would in this way:

• Before we quit, we would smoke all the time.

• I would go jogging more when I lived near the park.

Using “would” to talk about the future in the past

What? How can you use the future in the past?

In simple terms, when we’re speaking in the past, will becomes would. For example, imagine you’re a kid again, and you say:

• Everyone tells me I will do amazing things one day.

As an adult, you can say:

• When I was a kid, everyone told me that I would do amazing things one day.

Here’s another example. Imagine you just broke up with someone, and you say,

• I will never love again.

But, after time passes, and you recover from the heartbreak, you can say:

• After we broke up, I thought I would never love again.Advertisements

Using “would” for patterns of behavior in the present

We can use would in the present to show that we expected the behavior or action from the person.

When we use would in this way, we’re communicating that we don’t like certain repetitive behaviors or actions. But we can also use it sarcastically or when we’re joking with someone.

We often combine it with a tag question to get a response from the person we’re speaking to. This use of would typically follows this structure:

• You would say that, wouldn’t you?

  (In this situation, the person might have said something silly or strange, and you were expecting it because they often say silly or strange things.)

• He would walk here instead of taking the bus, wouldn’t he? He’s so silly.

  (Here, it didn’t make sense to you that the person chose to walk instead of taking the bus. However, this person often makes silly choices, and for that reason you were not surprised.)

• You just spoiled the ending of the book! You would do that, wouldn’t you?

  (In this context, the person you’re talking to often shares with you the ending of a book that you haven’t read. So your comment communicates that you were expecting that from them.)

Remember, we use would this way when we’re frustrated with someone’s behavior or as a joke.

The difference between “will” and “would” in conditionals

Conditionals tend to give English learners trouble, often because of modal verbs and mixed tenses.

And will and would are no exception.

In general, we use conditionals to talk about possibilities and results.

To determine whether you should use will or would, ask yourself this question: Is it an imagined situation, or is it a real possibility in the future?

When we use will with conditional sentences, it’s usually to talk about real possibilities in the future. In this structure, the verb after if needs to be in the present tense:

• We will stop by the coffee shop if we have time.

• I will be surprised if he shows up at all.

• If I win the money, I’ll give it to charity.

But we use would to talk about imagined situations, or things that don’t have the possibility of happening.

When we use conditionals with would, we use the past tense after if.

So, notice the difference between these sentences:

• If we break up, I will be devastated.

  (Here, breaking up is a possibility.)

• She will be mad if we don’t show up on time.

  (In this example, being late is a possibility.)

• If we broke up, I would be devastated.

  (Here, using would and the past tense means that breaking up is not a possibility.)

• She would be mad if we didn’t show up on time.

  (Again, the use of would and the past tense here means that the situation is hypothetical.)

So, to summarize, in the first two sentences, the speaker is talking about things that might happen soon. But in the last two examples, the speaker imagines something that’s only hypothetical.

So, that’s why we usually use would and not will when we give advice to someone or share our perspective:

• If I were you, I would cancel the meeting.

  If I were you, I will cancel the meeting.

• If you lived here, you would have to walk to work.

  If you lived here, you will have to walk to work.

The difference between “will” and “would” when making requests

We can use will or would to make requests with no change in meaning. But it can change the politeness of your request.

For example, if you say to your friend:

Would you hand me a soda?

It sounds much more polite than:

Will you hand me a soda?

So, generally, it’s better to use would when you’re asking people for favors. But if you do use will, you can always add the word “please” to make sure it sounds more polite.

There are some structures that we use to make requests that we can only use with would. For example:

Would you mind…?

• Would you mind getting some wine on your way home?

  Will you mind getting some wine on your way home?

Would + like

• I would like the roast chicken, please.

  I will like the roast chicken, please.

Would + rather

• He would rather not eat out tonight.

  He will rather not eat out tonight.

The difference between “will” and “would” when making offers

We can also use would or will to offer people things with no change in meaning or politeness.

I mean, it’s always polite to offer someone something!

But there are certain structures that we can only use with will and some we can only use with would.

Will you have…?

• Will you have some more coffee?

  Would you have some more coffee?

Would you like…?

• Would you like another cocktail?

  Will you like another cocktail?Advertisements

How to use “will” and “would” in reported speech

We use the term reported speech to talk about what someone said without putting it in quotation marks.

It’s different from direct speech, which is when we use quotation marks to show that someone is speaking.

Here’s an example of direct speech. Here, you’ll notice that I’m using will:

• “I will take care of it,” said Mark.

Here’s an example of reported speech, and in this situation, I have to use would:

• Mark said he would take care of it.

So, if we use will in a statement that’s directly spoken, that means we have to use would in a statement that we report:

• Direct: “Ana will meet us at the bar,” said Margaret.

  Reported: Margaret said Ana would meet us at the bar.

• Direct: He said, “I will never eat meat again!”

  Reported: He said he would never eat meat again.

• Direct: “You will love it here,” she said to me.

• Reported: She told me I would love it here.

There’s one exception to this rule, though:

When we’re talking about an event that’s happening in the future, we can sometimes use will in reported speech. You’ll see this mostly after the present perfect tense:

• Grandma and Grandpa have said they will visit for New Year’s Eve.

• My neighbor has said that she will stop by the party.

Do I really need to learn the difference between “will” and “would”?

Like I said earlier, it’s pretty easy to confuse will and would because we use them in similar situations, and, frankly, they sound very similar!

Most of the time, mixing up these two modal verbs will not affect your ability to communicate. English speakers will still understand what you mean if you say: “I will like a soda, please” instead of “I would like a soda, please.” Advertisements

Just make sure to avoid making mistakes that could confuse people and affect your communication. Here are some errors to avoid:

1. Don’t use would to talk about your definite plans in the future

2. Don’t use will to talk about habits in the past.

3. When you’re using will and would in conditional structures, just make sure that you’re using will for real possibilities and would for imagined situations.

And don’t worry if you make mistakes! Just remember that the more you practice using them, the easier it will be to use them correctly.

About the Writer

Marta is an online ESL teacher who works with students from around the world. As a writer, language nerd, and content contributor for In English With Love, her mission is to empower English learners with knowledge and positivity.

More English Grammar Tips

Would you like to know the difference between the words will and would?

In this article, we will look at the different meanings of will and would, explore how and when we use each of these words, and give examples that show how will and would are typically used in sentences.

When to use will or would

The word will is an auxiliary verb (helping verb) and a modal verb. It is commonly used together with other verbs to express expectations, determinations, capabilities, and several other meanings. For example:

• My pug will eat anything if you let her.
• The forecast said it will rain tomorrow.
• Typically, a snake will shed its skin several times during its life.

Will is also used with every verb to form the future tense, as in I will go to the beach tomorrow.

The word would is the past tense form of will. In general, it is used in all the same senses of will to express that something occurred in the past.

For example:

• My grandparents claimed they would walk ten miles to get to school.
• When I worked as a mascot, kids would always be happy to see me.
• During her time as a food critic, she would visit many fancy restaurants.

The word would is also often used in place of will when using the subjunctive mood, a verb mood used to express hypothetical or conditional statements. When used this way, would is used to express conditional or hypothetical ability or possibility even when talking about the present or the future. When discussing the past in this context, the word would is often used alongside the auxiliary verb have.

For example:

• If given the chance, my cat would totally destroy this sofa.
• If we do nothing, the rainforest would surely be lost within a generation or two.
• Charlie would have become a doctor if he could have afforded medical school.

Like other auxiliary verbs, will and would often appear alone in sentences. In this case, they are still acting as auxiliary verbs and the main verb is omitted but still understood. 

For example:

• Jack won’t be here tomorrow, but Sarah will (be).
• I can’t help you move because I am sick. Trust me, I would (help) if I could (help). 

Both will and would are used to ask questions. For example:

• Will you help me clean the yard?
• Would you help me clean the yard?

In general, would is often considered to be more formal or more polite than will when asking questions because it seems less blunt or less direct. Grammatically, though, it is correct to use either one.

Verbs similar to will and would

There are two other helping verbs that act in much the same way as will and would. The past tense of the verb can is could and the past tense of the verb shall is should.

Can’t get enough? Then review this guide on can vs. could.

Examples of will and would used in a sentence

We will end our discussion by looking at a few examples that show how we typically use will and would in our sentences.

• The movie will be released internationally.
• We would have a big problem if we didn’t keep the hornets and bees in separate areas.
• Santa Claus will come back again next Christmas.
• We will never know how the author would have ended the story if they had lived to finish it.
• My old car would break down constantly, so I am going to make sure my new car will be sturdy and reliable.

Take The Quiz

Feeling confident about how much you’ve learned about these verbs already? If so, we think you will perform admirably on our quiz on will vs. would. You may surprise yourself with what you’ve learned!