Difference Between Will and Would: Understanding Modal Verbs

What is the Difference between Will and Would

The word "will" is usually used as a helping verb, but it can also be a noun. "Would" is also a helping verb and is the past tense of "will."

Another difference between ‘will’ and ‘would’ is that ‘will’ is used for talking about future events, while ‘would’ is used to talk about future events as if they were in the past. Additionally, ‘would’ is often used for polite offers, invitations, requests, and similar purposes.

Will and Would - Meanings

• Will Meaning: As shown in the table, ‘will’ can function as both a verb and a noun, so its meaning changes depending on how it’s used.

• Would Meaning: ‘Would’ is a modal verb and is also the past form of ‘will.’ Its meaning can change based on the different contexts in which it’s used.

Difference Between Will and Would with Examples

‘Will’ Examples:

As a verb:

• Expressing future tense: "You will understand when you are older."

• Inevitable situations or events: "Lives will be lost during wars."

• Making a request: "Will you pass me that dish, please?"

• Stating facts about ability: "A beacon so bright that it will shine through the thickest fog."

As a noun:

• Legal document: "John’s wife was left out of his will."

• Willpower: "He had an iron will."

‘Would’ Examples:

• Past of ‘will’: "He said he would be doing the dishes."

• Hypothetical situation: "His life would be at risk if he turned out to be a whistle-blower."

• Expressing a desire: "I would love to own a car."

• Polite request: "Would you like some cake?"

Test Your Knowledge on Difference between Will and Would

Task 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct word, "will" or "would," to fill in the blanks.

1. I ______ call you tomorrow.

2. She said she ______ help me with the project.

3. ______ you like to join us for dinner?

4. If I were you, I ______ take the job offer.

5. We ______ go to the beach if it doesn't rain.

Task 2: Sentence Conversion

Convert the following sentences from using "will" to "would," or vice versa, depending on the context.

1. She will attend the meeting tomorrow.

2. If I had more time, I would read more books.

3. He would be happy to see you.

4. They will finish the work by next week.

5. I will help you with your homework.

Task 3: Identify the Usage

Read the sentences below and identify whether "will" or "would" is used to express future events, polite requests, hypothetical situations, or past actions.

1. I will visit my grandmother next weekend.

2. Would you mind opening the window?

3. If I had a car, I would drive to work.

4. She said she would come to the party.

5. We will have a meeting tomorrow.

Task 4: Create Sentences

Write two sentences using "will" and two sentences using "would" to show how each word is used in different contexts.

1. Will (Future Event):

2. Will (Request):

3. Would (Hypothetical Situation):

4. Would (Polite Request):

Task 5: Match the Sentences

Match the sentence beginnings with the correct endings using "will" or "would."

1. If I had more money, I ______

a) buy a new car.

b) will go shopping tomorrow.

2. She ______

a) come to the party tonight.

b) would be thrilled to see you.

3. They ______

a) would have been there if they could.

b) leave for the trip next week.

4. ______ you

a) help me with this task?

b) would like to go out for lunch?

5. I ______

a) call you later.

b) would love to join the team.

Task 6: Rewrite the Dialogue

Rewrite the following dialogue using "will" or "would" correctly.

Original Dialogue:

Person A: "Do you think she will come to the party?"

Person B: "I think she would come if she were not busy."

Person A: "Will you bring snacks?"

Person B: "Yes, I will bring them."

Rewrite the Dialogue:

Use "will" or "would" correctly in each sentence.

Here You Go—Check if Your Answers Match the Ones Below!

Task 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. I will call you tomorrow.

2. She said she would help me with the project.

3. Would you like to join us for dinner?

4. If I were you, I would take the job offer.

5. We will go to the beach if it doesn't rain.

Task 2: Sentence Conversion

1. She would attend the meeting tomorrow (if she were free).

2. If I had more time, I would read more books. (This isn't a typical conversion as "would" is correctly used here; however, for future plans: "If I have more time, I will read more books.")

3. He will be happy to see you.

4. They would finish the work by next week (if they had enough resources).

5. I would help you with your homework (if I knew the answers).

Task 3: Identify the Usage

1. Future Event

2. Polite Request

3. Hypothetical Situation

4. Past Action

5. Future Event

Task 4: Create Sentences

1. I will start my new job next week.

2. Will you help me with my project?

3. If I were rich, I would travel the world.

4. Would you mind passing the salt?

Task 5: Match the Sentences

1. If I had more money, I would

a) buy a new car.

2. She will

a) come to the party tonight.

3. They would

a) have been there if they could.

4. Will you

a) help me with this task?

5. I would

b) love to join the team.

Task 6: Rewrite the Dialogue

Original Dialogue:

Person A: "Do you think she will come to the party?"

Person B: "I think she would come if she were not busy."

Person A: "Will you bring snacks?"

Person B: "Yes, I will bring them."

Rewritten Dialogue:

Person A: "Do you think she will come to the party?"

Person B: "I think she would come if she were not busy."

Person A: "Will you bring snacks?"

Person B: "Yes, I will bring them."

Takeaways from this Page

• Students will learn how "will" is used to express future actions, intentions, or decisions.

• Students will understand how "would" is commonly used in conditional sentences to describe hypothetical or uncertain situations.

• They will learn to identify subtle differences in meaning and context between "will" and "would," enhancing their overall fluency in English.

• They will discover how "would" is often used to make polite requests, offers, or suggestions, compared to the more direct "will."