Will/would

“Will” is not purely modal verb. It almost always combines its modal meaning with the function of the auxiliary verb of the future tense. “Will” has 2 forms: will – for the present tense, would – for the past tense. The use of the forms will and would is mainly parallel, though in a few cases their meanings differ.

1. Will/would followed by the Indefinite Infinitive may express:

1. VOLITION (willingness, intention, determination, readiness). (in affirmative and negative sentences)

Synonyms: I intend…; I am willing…; We wish…, We want…; I am determined…

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

I said I would go there by all means.

This meaning is often found in conditional sentences, that is in complex sentences with subordinate adverbial clauses of condition:

If you will wait for me, I’ll be very grateful.

If you would help me with my work I shouldn’t worry about it.

2. PERSISTENCE (or RESISTANCE, INSISTENCE), REFUSAL TO PERFORM AN ACTION (also with lifeless thing; in affirmative and negative sentences)

Synonyms: Somebody insists on…; keeps on…; refuses…; continues…;

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

The door won’t (wouldn’t) open.

3. HABITUAL or RECURRENT ACTIONS (in affirmative sentences)

Synonym: used to

will (the present tense) – is not common.

would (the past tense) – is mainly characteristic of literary style.

That romantic girl will sit staring at the night sky.

He would fish for hours without catching anything.

4. POLITE REQUEST, OFFERS, INVITATIONS (sentence with would renders a greater degree of politeness)

Will you pass me the salt?

Would you like to come to tea this afternoon?

5. COMMAND (only will)

You will do exactly as I say.

An impatient command can begin with “will you”:

Will you be quiet!

“Will you” is used in the tag after: a) a negative command (Don’t be late, will you.); b) a positive command (Shut the door, will you.)

6. INEVITABILITY, CHARACTERISTIC BEHAVIOUR OR QUALITY

What will be will be.

Accidents will happen. (Нещасні випадки неминучі.)

Truth will out. (Істину не приховати.)

That’s exactly like Jocelyn – she would lose the key.

6. LOGICAL NECESSITY or EXPECTATION (mainly “would’); (in affirmative and negative sentences)

You would forget. – Звичайно ж, ви забули.

You would be late! - Звичайно, ти знову запізнився.

2. Will/would followed by any form of the Infinitive can express supposition, probability, prediction, certainty (in the similar way to “must”); (in affirmative and negative sentences); (“would” is more hesitant)

Who is the man? You wouldn’t know him.

John will/would still be reading his paper.

You will/would have heard that the plan is to be discussed tomorrow.