Will and would: How to use will and would correctly

Difference between Will and Would

Will is used for certain future actions or decisions, expressing certainty or willingness. On the other hand, would is used for hypothetical situations, past conditional actions, or polite requests and offers. While will deals with the actual future, would deals with imagined or conditional scenarios.

Defining Will and Would

Will and would are both modal verbs in English, but they are used in different ways to express different meanings.

Will:

Will is used to talk about future actions or events that are certain to happen or decisions that you make at the moment of speaking.

It is also used to express willingness, promise, request, or intention.

For example:

• “I will go to the store tomorrow.” (expressing a future action)
• “She will help you with your homework.” (expressing a future action)
• “I will call you later.” (expressing a promise)
• “Will you please pass me the salt?” (making a request)

Would:

Would is used to talk about imaginary or hypothetical situations, or to describe actions or events in the past that were conditional or habitual.

It is often used in conditional sentences (if-clauses) to express a hypothetical result.

Would is also used in polite requests or offers.

For example:

• “If I had more money, I would buy a new car.” (imaginary situation)
• “She said she would help you with your homework.” (past action that was conditional)
• “Would you like some tea?” (polite offer)
• “Would you mind closing the window?” (polite request)
• In summary, will is used for certain future actions or decisions, while would is used for hypothetical situations, past conditional actions, and polite requests or offers.

Similarities of will and would

Will and would are similar because they both help us talk about things that might happen in the future or things we want to happen. They can also be used to ask for things politely. 

However, will is more about things we are sure will happen or decisions we make now, while would is often used for talking about things that could happen in certain situations or in the past.

When to use will vs would

Will:

The use of will in English is multifaceted and serves several purposes:

Future Certainty:

Will is commonly used to express actions or events that are certain to happen in the future. Example: “She will graduate next year.” This usage indicates a strong degree of certainty or inevitability regarding the future event.

More examples using will for future certainty:

• “She will arrive at 9 o’clock tomorrow.”
• “The sun will rise in the east.”
• “I will graduate next year.”
• “The store will close at 10 PM tonight.”

Spontaneous Decisions:

It is also used to convey spontaneous decisions made at the moment of speaking. Example: “I’ll help you with your homework.” In this context, will demonstrates an immediate willingness or commitment to perform an action.

More examples using will for spontaneous decisions:

• “I’ll buy that book.”
• “We’ll have pizza for dinner tonight.”
• “I’ll order the salad instead of the sandwich.”
• “We’ll take the train instead of driving.”

Promises and Intentions:

When making promises or expressing intentions, will is the appropriate modal verb. Example: “I will visit you next weekend.” This usage indicates a commitment or intention to carry out the stated action in the future.

More examples using will for promises and intentions:

• “I will help you with your homework.”
• “He will call you back as soon as he can.”
• “She will always support you no matter what.”
• “I will make sure to attend your birthday party.”

Predictions:

Will is frequently employed to make predictions based on current knowledge or beliefs. Example: “It will rain tomorrow.” In this context, will is used to forecast a future event based on present circumstances or evidence.

More examples using will for predictions:

• “It will snow heavily next week.”
• “They will win the championship.”
• “I believe he will become a famous actor one day.”
• “According to the weather forecast, it will be sunny tomorrow.”

Offering Assistance or Making Offers:

Will can be used to offer assistance or make offers to others. Example: “I will carry your bags for you.” This usage demonstrates a willingness to provide help or support to someone else.

More examples using will for offering assistance or making offers:

• “I will carry your bags for you.”
• “She will lend you her car if you need it.”
• “I will help you move into your new apartment.”
• “He will give you a ride to the airport if you need it.”

Expressing Determination or Resolve:

In some cases, will is used to express determination or resolve to overcome challenges or achieve goals. Example: “I will succeed no matter what obstacles come my way.” Here, will conveys a strong sense of determination and perseverance.

More examples using will for expressing determination or resolve:

• “I will overcome this challenge.”
• “They will succeed no matter what.”
• “Despite the challenges, she will pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.”
• “No matter what happens, they will never give up on their goals.”

Overall, will is a versatile modal verb used to express certainty about future events, make promises or intentions, offer assistance, make predictions, and demonstrate determination or resolve. Understanding these various uses of will enables effective communication in English.

Would:

Hypothetical Situations:

Would is frequently used to discuss hypothetical or imagined situations that are not real or didn’t happen. Example: “If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.” In this context, would indicates a hypothetical outcome based on an unreal or improbable condition.

More examples using would for hypothetical situations:

• “If I won the lottery, I would buy a house in the countryside.”
• “If I were the president, I would focus on education reform.”
• “She said if she had more time, she would learn to play the guitar.”
• “I would travel to every continent if I had the opportunity.”

Polite Requests:

Another common use of would is to make polite requests or ask for something in a courteous manner. Example: “Would you please pass the salt?” This usage softens the request and makes it more polite and respectful.

More examples using would for polite requests:

• “Would you please pass me the salt?”
• “Would you mind opening the window? It’s a bit stuffy in here.”
• “Would you be so kind as to lend me your pen for a moment?”
• “Would you kindly refrain from talking during the presentation?”

Past Habits or Conditionals:

In the past tense, would can indicate habitual actions or describe events that were conditional. Example: “When I was younger, I would play outside every day.” Here, would expresses a past habit or routine action.

More examples using would for past habits or conditionals:

• “When I was a child, I would play with my toys for hours.”
• “He would always walk his dog in the park after dinner.”
• “Back in college, we would often stay up late studying for exams.”
• “She said she would visit her grandmother every summer when she was younger.”

Conditional Statements:

Would is often used in conditional sentences to express hypothetical or unreal conditions and their potential outcomes. Example: “If I were you, I would apologise.” This construction indicates a hypothetical situation and its corresponding action or consequence.

More examples using would for conditional statements:

• “If I were you, I would apologise.”
• “If it rained tomorrow, we would cancel the picnic.”
• “She would be happier if she pursued her passion.”
• “I would go to the party if I didn’t have to work late.”

Indirect Speech:

In reported speech, would can be used to convey what someone said or to soften direct statements. Example: “She said she would call me later.” This usage is common in conveying indirect or reported speech.

More examples using would for indirect speech:

• Direct speech: “She said, ‘I will come to the party.'”
• Indirect speech: “She said she would come to the party.”
• Direct speech: “He said, ‘I would like to apply for the job.'”
• Indirect speech: “He said he would like to apply for the job.”

Expressing Politeness or Modesty:

Would can also be used to express politeness or modesty in certain contexts. Example: “I would appreciate your assistance.” This construction conveys a polite request or acknowledgment of potential help.

More examples using would for expressing politeness or modesty:

• “I would appreciate it if you could send me the report by Friday.”
• “Would you mind terribly if we reschedule our meeting for next week?”
• “If it wouldn’t trouble you too much, could you help me move the furniture?”
• “I would be grateful if you could provide me with some feedback on my presentation.”

In summary, would is a versatile modal verb used to discuss hypothetical situations, make polite requests, describe past habits or conditional actions, express indirect speech, and convey politeness or modesty. Understanding these various uses of would facilitates effective communication in English, especially in situations involving hypothetical scenarios, courtesy, or past events.

Understanding the Difference between Will and Would in Conditionals

In conditionals, will and would serve distinct roles. Will is primarily used in the first conditional for likely or certain future outcomes, while would finds its place in the second and third conditionals, expressing hypothetical or unreal situations and their consequences. Understanding these nuances helps clarify their usage in English grammar.

First Conditional (Real Conditional):

Will in the first conditional

In the first conditional, will is used in the main clause to express a likely or certain outcome if a specific condition is met. This conditional typically relates to situations that are possible or likely to occur in the future. For example: “If it rains, I will bring an umbrella.”

Would in the first conditional

Would is not commonly used in the first conditional because it typically indicates hypothetical or less likely outcomes, which are better suited to the second conditional.

Second Conditional (Unreal Conditional):

Will in the second conditional

Will is not typically used in the second conditional because this conditional deals with hypothetical or unreal situations in the present or future.

Would in the second conditional

In the second conditional, would is used to express hypothetical or unreal situations and their potential outcomes. It suggests an imagined or unlikely scenario and its consequences.

Third Conditional (Unreal Past Conditional):

Will in the third conditional

Will is not typically used in the third conditional because it deals with unreal or hypothetical situations in the past.

Would in the third conditional

In the third conditional, “would have” is used to express hypothetical or unreal past situations and their imagined outcomes. It indicates an unrealized possibility or regret about a past event.

Quiz 1. Fill in the blank quiz / worksheet for will vs would (Answers at the end)

1. How many books do you think you _____ read this year? ( will / would )
2. I _____ appreciate your help with this task. ( will / would )
3. They _____ visit us if they had more time. ( will / would )
4. If you study hard, you _____ succeed in your exams. ( will / would )
5. She promised she _____ call you back later. ( will / would )
6. How often _____ you travel if you had the opportunity? ( will / would )
7. _____ you be attending the meeting tomorrow? ( will / would )
8. The weather forecast predicts it _____ rain later today. ( will / would )
9. If I were you, I _____ apologise. ( will / would )
10. She _____ come to the party if she didn’t have to work. ( will / would )
11. He _____ like to walk the dog in the park after dinner. ( will / would )
12. I believe they _____ arrive on time for the event. ( will / would )
13. _____ you mind passing me the salt, please? ( will / would )
14. _____ you be available for a meeting next week? ( will / would )
15. He hopes he _____ get a promotion this year. ( will / would )
16. If you ask nicely, I’m sure she _____ help you with your homework. ( will / would )
17. If she studied harder, she _____ have passed the exam. ( will / would )
18. He _____ be happy to see you again after all these years. ( will / would )
19. They _____ have arrived earlier if they hadn’t missed the train. ( will / would )
20. She’s confident that she _____ win the competition. ( will / would )
21. How often _____ you visit your grandparents when you were younger? ( will / would )
22. If you ask politely, I _____ lend you my car. ( will / would )
23. She _____ bake cookies for the party if she had more time. ( will / would )
24. I’m sure they _____ love the gift you got for them. ( will / would )
25. If she followed the instructions carefully, she _____ not have made a mistake. ( will / would )
26. I _____ love to go on a vacation this summer. ( will / would )
27. He’s optimistic that he _____ finish the project by the deadline. ( will / would )
28. _____ you be joining us for dinner tonight? ( will / would )
29. They _____ be more successful if they worked harder. ( will / would )
30. The doctor said the medication _____ help with your symptoms. ( will / would )

Quiz 2. (Answers at the end)

Which sentences are correctly and incorrectly using will and would? Place a ✔ or ❌ (Answers below)

1. If she studies hard, she will pass the exam.
2. He said he would help us with the project.
3. How many cups of tea will you like?
4. If it snows tomorrow, we would go skiing.
5. I will be happy to join you for dinner tonight.
6. They will visit us next weekend.
7. If I won the lottery, I will buy a big house.
8. She said she will call us later.
9. How often would you exercise at the gym?
10. If you ask politely, I would lend you my car.

Answers to Quiz 1

1. will
2. would
3. would 
4. will
5. would
6. would
7. will 
8. will
9. would
10. would
11. would
12. will
13. would
14. will
15. will
16. will
17. would
18. will
19. would
20. will
21. would
22. would
23. would
24. will
25. would
26. would
27. will
28. will
29. would
30. would

Answers to Quiz 2

1. Right
2. Right
3. Wrong
4. Wrong
5. Right
6. Right
7. Wrong
8. Wrong  
9. Right 
10. Wrong