The verb will (past tense form would) in English has two functions:
The first is the designation of the action which is planned in the future:
I will go there. (I'll go there).
The second - which helps to express desire, readiness, determination to take action: She will have her own way. (She'll do it her way.)
As well as a certain degree of confidence and assertiveness of the speaker:
That will be a doctor at the door. (Looks like the doctor has come).
A little history
It is curious that in ancient English there was no special . People guessed that an action was being planned using context. For Russian speakers, the consonant word “will” will help you remember the main lexical meaning of the verb. After all, in fact, one of the most popular uses of will is precisely the expression of the will to do something (or, on the contrary, to refuse an action).
A feature of modern English is that it does not have a future tense form, without additional shades: necessity, compulsion, desire, speaker or writer. This must be taken into account when using the verbs will and would.
It should be recalled that until recently, teachers of classical English grammar for the formation of the Simple future tense () required the use of the verb shall in the 1st person. Nevertheless, the language lives and develops and today the colloquial norm is almost universally considered will for all persons and numbers. In rare cases, using shall gives the speech a more formal or mentoring tone.
Basic uses of the verb will
- To indicate intention, desire, promise:
He will help you. He will help you.
We will come and see you next week. We will visit you next week. - To express a request or order:
You will tell me all secrets! You will tell me all the secrets!
This form of categorical order, almost a threat, is noticeably softened by the use of please:
Will you close the door, please? Could you close the door? - To express some degree of confidence:
We'll see you tomorrow. We'll see you tomorrow.
He will be about fifty. He must be about fifty years old.
Basic uses of the verb would
To express the possibility of certain actions in the past (translated using the particle “would”).
If he knew, he would be glad. If he knew, he would be glad.
It is important to remember here that the English language has a strict rule of tense agreement. Therefore, if in the main sentence they used the past tense, then in the subordinate clause, the Future in the Past is used. For this purpose we use would. The difficulty, which often gives rise to errors, is that in Russian, the subordinate clause is simply translated into the future tense.
I knew that you would give me a chance. I knew you would give me a chance.
In the present tense, this form is used for particularly polite, non-categorical requests.:
Would you come in? Won't you come in?
Would you close the window? Would you close the window?
To describe habitual actions in the past:
He would visit her every day. He used to visit her every day.
Used in reasoning and assumptions:
I wonder whether he would object… I wonder if he will object...
Sometimes the same verb is used to describe and convey direct speech:
She said she would leave. She said she would leave.
Contracted and negative forms of the verbs will and would
In English speech, the abbreviated (reduced) form of verbs is often used. In cases where the proposal is affirmative, everything is quite simple:
I will - I'll
I'll. visit this museum
I will visit this museum.
He (she) will -he’ll (she’ll)
He'll (she will) ask me about it. He/she will ask for it
We will - We'll
We'll (we will) look after the children.
We'll look after the children.
The short form would is even easier to use. It is formed according to one rule, reducing to the short “‘d”:
We were confident that he ‘d (he would) find a solution. We were confident that he would fulfill his promise.
Some difficulties may arise when using the shortened negative form of the verb will. In this case, you need to remember that you cannot use the general principle of abbreviation for this verb! The forms willn’t and willnot do not exist! The correct ones are won’t from will (will not);
We won't invite them. We won't invite them.
The verb would forms a short negative form according to the general rule: wouldn’t
We knew that they wouldn’t go to Moscow. We knew that they would not go to Moscow.
Peculiarities of using the verbs will and would
It is curious that in colloquial speech won’t is pronounced exactly the same as the verb want (want, desire). Their meaning can be recognized using context, as well as strictly grammatical requirements. The verb want has its own meaning. It is not modal, therefore it must be separated from another verb by the particle to.
For example, let's take two sentences:
- We won't invite them. We won't invite them.
- We want to invite them; already translated differently: We want to invite them.
There are several stable expressions (idioms) with the verb would that are popular in colloquial speech: would rather; would better; would sooner.
- I would rather go on the next train. I'll probably take the next train.
- You would better look after him. You better keep an eye on him.
- She said she would sooner stay at home. She would rather stay at home.
You can memorize with these verbs, which will make your speech more natural and help you remember the verbs better:
- Hawks will not pick hawks' eyes.- literally translated, we are talking about hawks. Russian equivalent: A raven will not peck out a crow's eye.
- Many words will not fill a bushel.- Words won't help matters.
Will used to express present and future tenses, and would– past or to express politeness. As a rule, they are highlighted by intonation or translated by the verb “ want».
Past |
The present |
Future |
|---|---|---|
| Would | Will / Would | Will |
| You knew I would do it anyway. You knew I wanted to do it anyway. |
I like it and I will buy it! I like it and I want to buy it! |
|
| Would you mind my sitting here? Do you mind if I sit here? |
| Will |
| You don't like it but I will buy it. You don't like it, but I intend to buy it (anyway). |
Statement
Modal verbs in affirmative sentences will And would almost never used with a subject, expressed pronoun You(you you).
- Intention
- We like this place that is why we will stay here!– We like this place so we will stay here!
- Ann didn’t have enough money but she would buy this dress anyway. Ann didn’t have enough money, but she still wanted to buy this dress.
- Perseverance
- You don’t want to hear but I will say it anyway.“You don’t want to hear it, but I’ll say it anyway.”
- Matt asked not to sing loudly but Jack would do it.– Matt asked not to sing loudly, but Jack continued to do so.
Verb would used in design I would like..(I would like...), which expresses a desire or a polite request.
- I would like a cup of coffee.– I would like a cup of coffee.
- I would like to ask you for some help.-I would like to ask you for help.
- I would like to know whether this shop is still open.– I would like to know if this store is still open.
Negation
In negative sentences with modal verbs will And would, as a rule, the first and third person are used. Particle not comes after will And would.
- It is hard but we will not give up.“It’s difficult, but we don’t give up.”
- You can try but she will not speak to you.– You can try, but she won’t (won’t want) to talk to you.
- He begged me but I would not change my mind.“He begged me, but I didn’t change my mind.
- Paul was wet enough but he would not change.“The floor was quite wet, but I didn’t want to change my clothes.”
With inanimate objects will not or wouldn't are used to show that these items are not doing their job or their intended purpose.
- will not = won’t (abbreviation)
- I want to enter but the door won’t open.– I want to go in, but the door won’t open.
- would not = wouldn't
- I was in a hurry but my car wouldn’t start up.“I was in a hurry, but my car didn’t want to start.”
Question
Modal verbs will And would with subject, expressed pronoun You, are used to create polite questions. Wherein would more polite than will, and is often used in the design would you like..?(would you like..? would you like to..?).
- Will you have a cup of coffee?- Would you like a cup of coffee?
- Would you pass me some bread please?- Could you please pass me some bread?
- Would you like some wine?- Would you like some wine?
- What Would you like to drink, madam?-What would you like to drink, madam?
Features of use
Verbs will And would combine the modal meaning (desire, intention) with the function of the auxiliary verb of the future ( will) and past tense ( would). However, modal verbs will And would Most often used with the first person, expressing the intention, desire of the speaker, or with the second person in polite questions.
Will not have
- I would prefer to stay at home.– I would prefer to stay at home.
- I would prefer not to say it.– I would rather not say this.
- Would you prefer me to have lied?“Would you rather I lied?” (but at that moment I didn’t lie)
- would prefer to = ‘d prefer to (abbreviation)
- I 'd prefer my best friend to go abroad with me.– I would like my best friend to go abroad with me. ing me a cup of coffee? – Could you bring me a cup of coffee?
- Would you mind Jack 's sitting here?– Do you mind if Jack sits here?
Design I wouldn't mind expresses agreement with something.
- I wouldn't mind if you came with me.“I don’t mind if you come with me.”
- I wouldn’t mind getting you a cup of coffee.“I don’t mind bringing you a cup of coffee.”
- I wouldn't mind your telling them this story.“I don’t mind if you tell them this story.”
The modal verb will plays an important role in the English language, giving sentences a certain meaning and emotional overtones. However, in many cases it can be confused with the use of other modals, so you need to be clear about the use of will.
First of all, it should be noted that it is very often used in sentences with polite orders, and they are further softened by the word please, but still remain orders, and not a request.
Similar materials from other authors:
Will you make us tea, please? - Please make us some tea.
Will you be quiet, please? - Silence please.
However, here you need to be careful with the place where the word please is used, since if it is placed not at the end, but in the middle of a sentence, then it takes on an irritated connotation, and this is no longer a polite order, but a remark.
Will you please be quiet! - Calm down!
Will you please type these letters for me! – Print these letters for me already!
In some cases, will can characterize a request, but only in an informal setting.
Will you pass me the cake, please. - Please pass me the cake.
However, in modern English such sentences are quite rare; most people still begin a phrase with the verbs would or could.
The modal verb will is also used to give other emotional connotations to sentences, for example, desire, agreement, determination, promise, and assumption. In the latter case, will is used if this assumption is highly probable, and the phrases “apparently” and “should be” are used in translation.
It will have been a teacher. - Apparently this is the teacher. /This must be the teacher. (Assumption.)
She will help you. - She will help you. (Promise.)
We will do by our own way. - We will do it our way. (Determination.)
If the modal verb will is used in negative sentences, then semantically they convey a persistent reluctance to perform any action. Moreover, such a refusal can apply not only to people, but also to things. As for the differences with the use of won’t and wouldn’t, it consists only in the fact that the latter form is used in the past tense.
The lamp will not turn. - The lamp does not turn on.
The car won't start. - The car wouldn’t start.
In some cases, the use of a negative form requires confirmation of the context. Moreover, a confirming sentence can appear either before or after the one in which will is used.
I have asked Ann many times. She won't answer. – I asked Anya many times. She refuses to answer.
I tried to convince her, but she won’t agree to make it again. “I tried to persuade her, but she didn’t want to do it again.
The weather won't change. It kept snowing. – The weather hasn’t changed at all. It continued to snow.
Undoubtedly, the affirmative and negative forms of the modal verb will give the sentence a completely opposite semantic coloring. It is worth remembering that they are used in the present tense, and can be consistent with different tenses, as well as confirmed by phrases of context. In any case, the verb will as a modal verb is firmly established in English grammar, and is now used quite often, so you need to know the nuances of its use.
05.08.2014
The phenomenon of modal verbs is a special topic for study in the English language, which needs to be given enough attention, since such verbs are very often used in the English language.
Will And would- these are English modal verbs, and in order to confidently use these verbs in your speech, the main thing is to understand the difference when to put will, and when would. So I suggest you consider the features of use will And would in English.
Uses of will
Will used to indicate situations in the simple future tense. In statements that refer to the future:
- They will have two extra meetings this afternoon.
- I will be in my mid twenties next year.
We also use this modal verb to denote spontaneous, instant decisions:
- Somebody is ringing the bell. I'll go and see.
- What will you drink? Well, I'll have a cup of coffee.
When we ask someone to do something for us, or when we need to ask something regarding the future tense, we use will more appropriate than ever:
- Will you tell Jane that we expect her for dinner?
- Will you copy these files and print them for all students, please?
Also used to indicate a promise, offer or prediction will:
- I will always remember you.
- Can't you do this task? Don’t worry, dad will soon come and help you.
- Those people won't tell you the truth.
Modal verb will used in the structure of conditional sentences of the first type:
- We will go fishing at the weekend if the weather is good.
- You will pass the exam, if you study well.
Use cases would
First of all, would is the past tense form of the verb will.
- Jack said he would finish the work the next day.
- Ann said she would write us soon.
- He hoped she would come.
Would used in the structure of conditional sentences of the second and third types:
- I would phone Sue, if I had her number.
- We would have gone fishing at the weekend if the weather had been good.
In the case where you can use will And would, a more polite form would be a sentence with a verb would:
- Would you like some juice?
- It’s hot in here, would you mind opening the window?
Some more examples with modal verb would:
- Would you like a piece of apple cake? (offer)
- I'd like to have some milk. (request)
- I'd like to learn French very well. (desire, plan)
- I’d rather have a glass of water than juice now. (preference)
Now pay attention - let's practice! Go back to the beginning of the article and look at the picture.
Your task is to write an answer to the question - What would you do if you could change the world?
Verb will (would – past tense)– is one of the most common verbs in the English language and is used in most cases to construct forms of the future tense.
Verb will has only two forms: will and would. Both forms are not semantic verbs, that is, they do not themselves denote any action, and therefore are not translated out of context.
Auxiliary verb WILL
As an auxiliary, verb will/would needed in two cases: to construct the future tense and conditional sentences. The verb performs a purely technical, auxiliary function of constructing a grammatical structure, without adding any special meaning or emotional connotation to the sentence.
1. Formation of the future tense
Auxiliary will used to form future tense forms of all types of tense forms of the verb, the simplest example is, simple future tense. Will is placed before the semantic verb, which in the simple future tense is used in the initial form, without endings.
He will move to the capital. - He will soon move to the capital.
I will come to see you tomorrow. - I'll come see you tomorrow.
Verb would used to form the form “future in the past” ().
He said that he would move to the capital soon. – He said that he would soon move to the capital.
I said that I would come to see you. - I said I would come to see you.
2. Formation of conditional sentences
Verb will used in conditional sentences of the first type:
If I find the phone number, I will call him. – If I find a phone number, I’ll call him.
If you help me, I will don't forget it. “If you help me, I won’t forget this.”
Verb would needed to construct forms of the subjunctive mood in conditional sentences of the second and third types:
If I were you, I would think twice. - I would think twice if I were you. (second type)
If you had betrayed me, I would have not forgiven you. – If you betrayed me, I would not forgive you. (third type)
Modal verb WILL
Unlike the auxiliary, the modal verb will adds to the utterance the speaker's attitude towards the action. In other words, here we are talking not just about the future tense, but about giving an emotional coloring to the expression.
1. Determination, confidence in taking action.
I will take what is mine. “I will take what is mine.”
I will not surrender. - I will not Give Up.
2. Confidence in the commission of an action by another person, a threat.
You will release the prisoners. – You will release the prisoners.
You will accept our offer. – You will accept our offer.
They will give us what we want. “They will give us what we want.”
3. A polite request or question, a request in interrogative form.
Will do you write your name here? – Could you write your name here?
Will do you give me a hand? – Could you help me?
Will will you marry me? - Will you marry me?
Questions can also be asked with would - they will sound softer, more polite and with less confidence.
Would you help me with my car? – Could you help me with my car?
4. In negative sentences - persistence in performing an action.
This man will not stop. “This man still won’t stop.”
The window will not open. - The window still won’t open.
5. Persistent reluctance to do something in the past
This meaning is inherent only to the past tense, which is why would is used.
I told you you not to take my car but you wouldn't listen! “I told you not to take my car, but you didn’t listen!”
Why did she have to go? I don't know, she wouldn't say. – Why did she have to leave? I don't know, she would never tell.
6. Repeated action in the past (with the verb would)
There is often a hint of nostalgia in such expressions.
That old actor would sit and watch his old movies for hours. – This old actor used to sit and watch his old films for hours.
Will and Shall
In old English textbooks you can read that, along with the verb will as auxiliary(not to be confused with modal) is used to form future tense forms in the 1st person singular and plural shall.
I shall go. - I will go.
We shall go. - We will go.
In modern English shall How auxiliary is practically no longer used, we can safely say I will go, We will go.
However shall used as modal verb, that is, to express the speaker’s attitude to action. Here are examples of such cases:
1. Question with the aim of receiving instructions, orders (in first-person sentences):
Shall I bring you water? - Should I get you some water?
Shall I go? - I went?
Shall I call you the manager? – Should I call you a manager?
2. Threat, promise (address to a second or third party)
This is the last warning. You shall bring me the money. - This is the last warning. You will bring me money.
I'm fired. My boss shall regret his decision. - I'm fired. My boss will regret his decision.
3. Obligation, obligation to perform an action (usually in official documents, contracts)
The contractor shall provide them with housing. – The contractor is obliged to provide them with housing.
Note: At the verb shall there is also a past tense form - should, more information about the use of should as a modal verb is written in the article
Will or Going to?
The intention to perform an action in the future can be expressed not only with the help of will, but also using the phrase to be going to. There are many subtle nuances in the use of these two methods, depending on the situation, context, and intonation. But the most general rule is this:
- will- an expression of confidence in performing an action, something like “I WILL DO this”, “this WILL HAPPEN”.
- to be going to- a planned, anticipated action, usually in the near future, something like “I am GOING to do this.”
I will tell my girlfriend the truth tonight. – Tonight I WILL TELL my girlfriend the whole truth.
I am going to tell my girlfriend the truth tonight. “Tonight I’m going to tell my girlfriend the whole truth.”
Other uses of will and to be going to:
| Will | To be going to |
| The decision to perform an action in the future is made at the moment of speech: | The decision to perform an action in the future was made before the moment of speech (planned): |
|---|---|
– Really? I'll go and get some. - Is it true? Then I'll go buy it. |
– There’s no milk. - The milk has run out. – I know. I’m going to go and get some when this TV show finishes. - I know. I'll go buy some milk when the show is over. |
| Prediction of future events based on opinion: | Prediction of future events based on the fact that there is something in the present indicating these events: |
| – I think the cop will spot us. “I think the cop will notice us.” | – The cop has got a flashlight! He is going to spot us. - The cop has a flashlight! He'll notice us. |
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