Notable Differences Between Will and Would

Will and Would: 1.The word ‘will’ is infinitely definitive and carries a lot more weight than its counterpart. The word ‘will’ is used to convey certainty that future action would take place. An example of this is ‘I will go home by 8’. Using the word ‘would’ does not communicate this definitiveness or certainty.

2. Belief: To express belief about the present, we would use the word ‘will’ and not ‘would’. An example of this usage is in the sentence ‘he will be taking me home. Such belief is not usually expressed using the word ‘would’.

3. To make promises: The verb ‘will’ is frequently used to make a promise or an offer as opposed to ‘would’ which is rather used to make a suggestion. Consider the following sentences: ‘I will give you a ring’ and ‘I will make you fishers of men’.

4. Tenses: The verb ‘would’ is the past tense of ‘would’ and hence is appropriate for when one is trying to refer to a former time. For instance, ‘Mother would take me around the park in her car when I was little.’ The speaker, speaking of a past time where the said events took place, used ‘would’ instead of ‘will’ to keep with the tense.

5. To demonstrate willingness: To demonstrate willingness, one may use the verb ‘will’ in such ways as ‘I bet she will lend you the car if you asked.’ ‘My mother will not let me watch TV when it’s bedtime. However, to demonstrate willingness in a former time, we use ‘would’ instead of ‘will’. For instance: ‘As a kid, my dad would let me go the game house across the street’.

6. To show preference: In order to show preference it is often preferable to use the verb ‘would’ instead of ‘will’. An example of this is in the following sentences: ‘I would rather have a book instead of a soda’.

7. Politeness: In matters were a polite expression should be made, it is much preferred that one uses the verb ‘would’ instead of ‘will’. Consider the following: ‘Would you pass me the cup?’ versus ‘Will you pass me the cup?’

8. Requests: Whist our requests can be made using both verbs, the difference in their usages is that ‘would’ is considered more polite than ‘will’. Consider the following example ‘Would you come home with me?’

9. Advice: To offer advice, the verb ‘will’ is more commonly used. This is due partly to the fact that the verb ‘will’ communicates intentions about the present or future and advice is generally given to that effect. Examples include ‘I think he will help you if you ask him.

10. Conditionals and hypothesis: ‘Will’ is used in making a conditional, to say what a person thing will happen in the present or future, e.g. ‘I will go home if he wins’. Would on the other hand is used to make a hypothesis. For instance, ‘It would be grand to see the statue of liberty’.

Notable Differences Between Will and Would

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