Will/would

Meaning

Forms of the MV

Forms of the infinitive

Kinds of sentences

Some other ways of expressing the same meaning

Sentence patterns

1. Volition (willingness, readiness, consent, intention, determination)

I / We will (would)

I / We won’t (wouldn’t)

Indefinite Infinitive

affirmative

negative

I intend…

I’m willing…

We wish…

We want…

I’m determined…

I will tell him about your coming, so he can meet you.

I’ve often spoken at public meetings but this time I won’t.

You may come if you will, but you won’t find the meeting amusing.

I said I would take part in the conference.

2. a) Persistence or refusal to perform an action.

b) Refusal to perform an action with lifeless things

will (would)

won’t (wouldn’t)

won’t

wouldn’t

will (would)

affirmative

negative

He insists….

She keeps on…

She refuses…

They continue…

The teacher scolds her for whispering at the lesson, but she will whisper.

I asked him to tell me the truth, but he wouldn’t.

I couldn’t explain anything because the words wouldn’t come.

He tried hard to stop the car, but it would move.

3. Requests (polite requests, polite invitations and suggestions)

will

would

interrogative

Could you…

May I ask you to give…?

Will you pass me the salt?

Would you come to tea this afternoon?

Will you have another cup of tea?

4. Habitual or recurrent actions

will (the present tense) (not common)

would (the past tense) (literary style)

affirmative

used to

That romantic girl will sit staring at the night sky.

He would fish for hours without catching anything.

Notes

1. Remember the following set phrases:

1. would rather, would sooner. e.g.: I would rather do it myself. He would sooner die than do it.

2. Would you mind my staying here? I wouldn’t mind your joining us.

2. “Will” may express supposition with reference to the present or future in combination with the indefinite infinitive, or to the past in combination with the perfect infinitive. This meaning is found with the 2^nd and 3^rd persons.

e.g.: This will be the school, I believe. You will have heard the news, I’m sure.

3. Notice the use of “will” in the following sentences:

e.g.: Boys will be boys. Accidents will happen. You will find no greater wisdom than kindness.

Meaning

Forms of the MV

Forms of the infinitive

Kinds of sentences

Some other ways of expressing the same meaning

Sentence patterns

1. Asking for instruction

Shall I?

Shall he (she, they)?

Indefinite Infinitive

interrogative

Must I do it?

Do you want me to do it?

Am I to do it?

Shall I read the article again?

Shall he (she, they) start speaking on the topic?

2. Compulsion or strict order

You

he

she

it

they

shall

shan’t

affirmative

negative

I shall make him do it.

I shall get you to do it.

You shall stop reading fiction books at your lectures.

He shan’t prevent us from working at the problem.

3. Threat or warning

You

he

she

it

they

shall

shan’t

affirmative

negative

Tell him he shall be punished for his behaviour.

You shall fail the exam if you don’t work hard.

4. Promise

You

he

she

it

they

shall

shan’t

affirmative

negative

You are sure to get…

I promise that they won’t punish you.

Don’t worry, you shall have a minute’s rest before the meeting begins.

Meaning

Forms of the MV

Forms of the infinitive

Kinds of sentences

Some other ways of expressing the same meaning

Sentence patterns

1. Impertinence, to have the courage to do smth

dare do smth

dared do smth

Indefinite Infinitive

affirmative

interrogative

You dare address me in that tone!

Did he dare to strike me when I was down?

2. Not to have courage to do smth

dared not do smth

negative

He didn’t dare to meet his uncle

Notes

1. “I dare say” has become a stock phrase and acquired a new meaning “I suppose”.

2. It is used both:

1. as an normal verb => taking the auxiliary “do” in the interrogative and negative forms, -s in the 3^rd person singular and the to+ Infinitive

2. as an anomalous verb => without the auxiliary in its interrogative and negative forms, without –s in the 3^rd person singular and with the bare Infinitive (without “to”)