Will vs. Would
The main difference between Will and Would is that Will is used to describing the specific future actions, whereas Would is used to state a thing that of future which is no longer in the future now.
Key Differences
Will can be a modal auxiliary verb in many situations; on the other hand, Would be a conditional verb.
Will holds the meaning of causing something to happen through force of desire, whereas Would direct an action going to happen under certain conditions.
Will is known as the present tense form of would, on the contrary, Would is known to be the past tense form of will.
Samantha Walker
Sep 09, 2015
Will talks about the quick decisions, promises, offers and, predictions; on the other side, Would is used when making invitations, requests, asking for permission, preferences, and making arrangements.
Janet White
Sep 09, 2015
Will explains the willingness of people to do something; in contrast, Would explain the things about the past, our imaginations, hypotheses, etc.
Will has the role in the first conditional statement; on the contrary, Would have its role in second and third conditional statements.
Harlon Moss
Sep 09, 2015
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Will is describing a thing of future which is no longer present in the future now, while the modal verb Would talk about an action that happened in the future but is not present in the future at the time of describing it.
Janet White
Sep 09, 2015
Comparison Chart
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Will is an auxiliary modal verb describing definite future actions
Would is an auxiliary modal verb/conditional verb describing a thing that of future which is no longer in the future now
Type of Tense
Present tense
Past tense
Talks About
Quick decisions, promises, offers and, predictions
Requests, asking for permission, preferences, making arrangements, invitations
Conditional Statement
First conditional statements
Second, third conditional statements
Explains
A thing of future which is no longer present in the future now
An action that happened in the future but is not present in the future at the time of describing it
Aimie Carlson
Sep 09, 2015
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Will and Would Definitions
Will
The mental faculty by which one deliberately chooses or decides upon a course of action
Championed freedom of will against a doctrine of predetermination.
Would
Past tense of will; usually followed by a bare infinitive.
Will
Diligent purposefulness; determination
An athlete with the will to win.
Would
Used to form the "anterior future", or "future in the past", indicating a futurity relative to a past time.
On my first day at University, I met the woman who would become my wife.
Will
Self-control; self-discipline
Lacked the will to overcome the addiction.
Would
Used to; was or were habitually accustomed to; indicating an action in the past that happened repeatedly or commonly.
When we were younger, we would cycle out to the beach most summer Sundays.
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Will
A desire, purpose, or determination, especially of one in authority
It is the sovereign's will that the prisoner be spared.
Would
Was or were determined to; indicating someone's insistence upon doing something.
I asked her to stay in with me, but she would go out.
Will
Deliberate intention or wish
Let it be known that I took this course of action against my will.
Would
Could naturally have been expected to (given the tendencies of someone's character etc.).
He denied it, but then he would, wouldn't he?
Will
Free discretion; inclination or pleasure
Wandered about, guided only by will.
Would
(archaic) Wanted to.
Will
Bearing or attitude toward others; disposition
Full of good will.
Would
(archaic) Used with ellipsis of the infinitive verb, or postponement to a relative clause, in various senses.
Will
A legal declaration of how a person wishes their personal possessions to be disposed of after death.
Would
(obsolete) Wished, desired (something).
Will
A legally executed document containing this declaration.
Would
A modal verb, the subjunctive of will; usually followed by a bare infinitive.
Will
To decide on or intend
He can finish the race if he wills it.
Would
Used as the auxiliary of the simple conditional modality, indicating a state or action that is conditional on another.
If I won the lottery, I would give half the money to charity.
Will
To yearn for; desire
“She makes you will your own destruction” (George Bernard Shaw).
Would
Without explicit condition, or with loose or vague implied condition, indicating a hypothetical or imagined state or action.
I would love to come and visit.
Look at that yummy cake! I would eat that all up!
Will
To decree, dictate, or order
Believed that the outcome was willed by the gods.
Would
Suggesting conditionality or potentiality in order to express a sense of politeness, tentativeness, indirectness, hesitancy, uncertainty, etc.
I would ask you all to sit down.
I would imagine that they have already left.
Will
To induce or try to induce by sheer force of will
We willed the sun to come out.
Would
Used to express what the speaker would do in another person's situation, as a means of giving a suggestion or recommendation.
It's disgraceful the way that they've treated you. I would write and complain.
Will
To grant in a legal will; bequeath
Willed his fortune to charity.
Would
Used to express the speaker's belief or assumption.
He's very security-conscious, so he would have remembered to lock the door.
They would be arriving in London round about now.
Will
To order to direct in a legal will
She willed that her money be given to charity.
Would
Used interrogatively to express a polite request; are (you) willing to …?
Would you pass the salt, please?
Will
To exercise the will.
Would
Might wish (+ verb in past subjunctive); often used in the first person (with or without that) in the sense of "if only".
Will
To make a choice; choose
Do as you will.
Would
Might desire; wish (something).
Will
To wish; desire
Do what you will. Sit here if you will. See Usage Note at shall.
Would
Something that would happen, or would be the case, under different circumstances; a potentiality.
Will
(auxiliary) Used to express the future tense, sometimes with some implication of volition when used in the first person. Compare shall.
One of our salesmen will visit you tomorrow.
I will pass this exam.
Would
Commonly used as an auxiliary verb, either in the past tense or in the conditional or optative present. See 2d & 3d Will.
Right as our Lord hath would.
Will
(auxiliary) To be able to, to have the capacity to.
Unfortunately, only one of these gloves will actually fit over my hand.
Would
See 2d Weld.
Will
(auxiliary) Expressing a present tense with some conditional or subjective weakening: "will turn out to", "must by inference".
He will be home by now. He always gets home before 6 o'clock.
I can't find my umbrella. I will have forgotten it home this morning.
Will
(auxiliary) To habitually do (a given action).
Boys will be boys.
Will
(auxiliary) To choose or agree to (do something); used to express intention but without any temporal connotations (+ bare infinitive), often in questions and negation.
Will you marry me?
I’ve told him three times, but he won’t take his medicine.
Will
To wish, desire (something).
Do what you will.
Will
To wish or desire (that something happen); to intend (that).
Will
(archaic) Implying will go.
Will
To instruct (that something be done) in one's will.
Will
(transitive) To bequeath (something) to someone in one's will (legal document).
He willed his stamp collection to the local museum.
Will
(transitive) To exert one's force of will (intention) in order to compel, or attempt to compel, something to happen or someone to do something.
All the fans were willing their team to win the game.
Will
One's independent faculty of choice; the ability to be able to exercise one's choice or intention.
Of course, man's will is often regulated by his reason.
Will
The act of choosing to do something; a person’s conscious intent or volition.
Most creatures have a will to live.
Will
One's intention or decision; someone's orders or commands.
Eventually I submitted to my parents' will.
Will
Firmity of purpose, fixity of intent
Will
(law) A formal declaration of one's intent concerning the disposal of one's property and holdings after death; the legal document stating such wishes.
Will
(archaic) That which is desired; one's wish.
Will
(archaic) Desire, longing. (Now generally merged with later senses.)
He felt a great will to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Will
The power of choosing; the faculty or endowment of the soul by which it is capable of choosing; the faculty or power of the mind by which we decide to do or not to do; the power or faculty of preferring or selecting one of two or more objects.
It is necessary to form a distinct notion of what is meant by the word "volition" in order to understand the import of the word will, for this last word expresses the power of mind of which "volition" is the act.
Will is an ambiguous word, being sometimes put for the faculty of willing; sometimes for the act of that faculty, besides [having] other meanings. But "volition" always signifies the act of willing, and nothing else.
Appetite is the will's solicitor, and the will is appetite's controller; what we covet according to the one, by the other we often reject.
The will is plainly that by which the mind chooses anything.
Will
The choice which is made; a determination or preference which results from the act or exercise of the power of choice; a volition.
The word "will," however, is not always used in this its proper acceptation, but is frequently substituted for "volition", as when I say that my hand mover in obedience to my will.
Will
The choice or determination of one who has authority; a decree; a command; discretionary pleasure.
Thy will be done.
Our prayers should be according to the will of God.
Will
Strong wish or inclination; desire; purpose.
My poverty, but not my will, consents; . . . Put this in any liquid thing you will,And drink it off.
Will
That which is strongly wished or desired.
What's your will, good friar?
The mariner hath his will.
Will
Arbitrary disposal; power to control, dispose, or determine.
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies.
Will
The legal declaration of a person's mind as to the manner in which he would have his property or estate disposed of after his death; the written instrument, legally executed, by which a man makes disposition of his estate, to take effect after his death; testament; devise. See the Note under Testament, 1.
Will
To wish; to desire; to incline to have.
A wife as of herself no thing ne sholde [should]Wille in effect, but as her husband wolde [would].
Caleb said unto her, What will thou ?
They would none of my counsel.
Will
As an auxiliary, will is used to denote futurity dependent on the verb. Thus, in first person, "I will" denotes willingness, consent, promise; and when "will" is emphasized, it denotes determination or fixed purpose; as, I will go if you wish; I will go at all hazards. In the second and third persons, the idea of distinct volition, wish, or purpose is evanescent, and simple certainty is appropriately expressed; as, "You will go," or "He will go," describes a future event as a fact only. To emphasize will denotes (according to the tone or context) certain futurity or fixed determination.
I am able to devote as much time and attention to other subjects as I will [shall] be under the necessity of doing next winter.
A countryman, telling us what he had seen, remarked that if the conflagration went on, as it was doing, we would [should] have, as our next season's employment, the Old Town of Edinburgh to rebuild.
I feel assured that I will [shall] not have the misfortune to find conflicting views held by one so enlightened as your excellency.
Will
To be willing; to be inclined or disposed; to be pleased; to wish; to desire.
And behold, there came a leper and worshiped him, saying, Lord if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus . . . touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean.
Will
To form a distinct volition of; to determine by an act of choice; to ordain; to decree.
By all law and reason, that which the Parliament will not, is no more established in this kingdom.
Two things he [God] willeth, that we should be good, and that we should be happy.
Will
To enjoin or command, as that which is determined by an act of volition; to direct; to order.
They willed me say so, madam.
Send for music,And will the cooks to use their best of cunningTo please the palate.
As you go, will the lord mayor . . . To attend our further pleasure presently.
Will
To give or direct the disposal of by testament; to bequeath; to devise; as, to will one's estate to a child; also, to order or direct by testament; as, he willed that his nephew should have his watch.
Will
To exercise an act of volition; to choose; to decide; to determine; to decree.
At Winchester he lies, so himself willed.
He that shall turn his thoughts inward upon what passes in his own mind when he wills.
I contend for liberty as it signifies a power in man to do as he wills or pleases.
Will
The capability of conscious choice and decision and intention;
The exercise of their volition we construe as revolt
Will
A fixed and persistent intent or purpose;
Where there's a will there's a way
Will
A legal document declaring a person's wishes regarding the disposal of their property when they die
Will
Decree or ordain;
God wills our existence
Will
Have in mind;
I will take the exam tomorrow
Will
Determine by choice;
This action was willed and intended
Will
Leave or give by will after one's death;
My aunt bequeathed me all her jewelry
My grandfather left me his entire estate
Will vs. Would
Will is an auxiliary modal verb describing specific future actions; on the other hand, Would is an auxiliary modal verb describing a thing that of future which is no longer in the future now. Will is the present tense form of would; on the other side, Would is known to be the past tense form of will. Will talks about quick decisions, promises, offers, and predictions, whereas Would is used when making invitations, requests, asking for permission, preferences, and making arrangements.
Will is an auxiliary verb that explains the willingness of people to do something. It is used to make offers, promises, and requests. It is implied to express the beliefs regarding the present or future. On the contrary, Would explain the things about the past, our imaginations, hypotheses, etc. It used to add politeness in your statement.
Will holds the meaning of causing something to happen through force of desire. It can be a modal auxiliary verb in many situations. Would direct an action going to happen under certain conditions. It can be a conditional verb. The use of Will is seen in the first conditional statement, whereasWould has its role in second and third conditional statements.
What is Will?
Will can also be used as a noun with varying meanings. But mainly, it functions as a verb. Will is widely known as a modal auxiliary verb that talks about an action expected to take place in the future. It functions to modify many verbs in their future tenses. Will is a modal verb used in the definite statements. Moreover, it explains the willingness of people to do something. It is used to make offers, promises, and requests.
‘Will’ is implied to express the beliefs regarding the present or future. It is used in a sentence where there is a certainty of future action to take place. For example: ‘I will go to the party tonight.’ The use of will is seen in the first conditional statement. It is used for cause and effect, or in situations that cannot be changed, e.g., ‘If you miss the train, you will not be attending the meeting’ ‘If you don’t take precautionary measures, you will be affected by the disease.
Examples
- I will go to the morning walk instead of taking breakfast. (Instant decision)
- I will buy you a present for your first position. (Promise)
- I will press your clothes after having my work done (Offers)
- I will bet she bought this coat from the sale. (Predictions)
- We will have to study to get good grades. (Belief)
What is Would?
Would is mainly known as a modal verb. It is an auxiliary modal verb describing a thing that of the future at the time of action but is not present in the future at the time of describing it. It explains the things about the past. Moreover, it expresses our imaginations and hypotheses, etc. Would is used mostly in formal speech because it sounds polite and adds politeness in your statement.
Would have its role in second and third conditional statements. These statements are about imaginary or unlikely situations to express the things that took place in the past. An example of the second conditional statement is ‘If I knew there was a party, I would attend it.’ Similarly, the third conditional statement is, ‘If I had known about your sickness earlier, I would have visited you.’ Would is used in different situations. These situations include making invitations, requests, asking for permission, preferences, and making arrangements.
Examples
- Would you like to come to my house tomorrow? (Invitation)
- Would you mind posting my letter on your way? (Request)
- Would I be able to take leave for three days? (Asking permission)
- Would you like ice-cream or custard? I would prefer to eat custard.’ (Talking about preferences)
- Would Saturday evening suit you?’ or ‘Sunday morning would suit me.’ (Making arrangements)
