6.1.5 - Will/Would
Enroll to start learning
Youβve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Interactive Audio Lesson
Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.
Introduction to 'Will'
π Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Today, we're going to discuss the modal verb 'will'. Who can tell me how we use 'will'?
I think we use it for future predictions.
That's correct! 'Will' indicates future intentions. For example, if I say, 'I will go to the store,' it shows my intention to go in the future.
Can we also use 'will' for requests?
Yes, but it's less formal. For example, 'Will you close the door?' is polite but more direct than using 'would'.
Are there any other uses of 'will'?
That's a great question! 'Will' can be used for promises as well. For instance, 'I will help you with your homework.'
So, we remember that 'will' is for future actions and intentions!
Exactly! Let's summarize: 'will' is used for future intentions and some polite requests.
'Would' in Polite Requests
π Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Now, letβs look at 'would'. When do we use 'would' for requests?
Isn't it more polite than 'will'?
Exactly! When we say, 'Would you mind helping me?', it comes across as more courteous than 'Will you help me?'.
Can it be used for anything else?
Yes, 'would' is also used to discuss hypothetical situations. For instance, 'If I had a million dollars, I would buy a house.'
So 'would' shows condition and politeness?
Correct! It indicates politeness and possibilities. Letβs add that to our notes.
Habitual Actions with 'Would'
π Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
In addition to polite requests, 'would' describes habitual actions in the past. Can someone give me an example?
When I was a child, I would visit my grandma every Sunday.
Great example! We use 'would' to show that the action was regular or habitual in the past.
So, is it safe to say 'would' is for both hypothetical and habitual past actions?
Exactly! Thatβs a key point. Remember, we say, 'When I was younger, I would ride my bike to school.'
So will and would have different uses that help convey different meanings.
Precisely! To recap, 'will' expresses future needs while 'would' conveys politeness and habitual actions.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
This section outlines the key functions of 'will' and 'would' as modal verbs in English, discussing how 'will' indicates future actions and intentions, while 'would' is used for polite requests, hypothetical scenarios, and habitual actions in the past. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective communication.
Detailed
Will/Would
In English, modal verbs 'will' and 'would' play significant roles in social interactions and expressing future intentions.
Uses of 'Will'
- Future Intention: 'Will' is primarily used to express predictions, promises, or decisions made at the moment of speaking. For example, "I will call you tomorrow."
- Polite Requests: While 'will' can serve as a polite request, it is often less formal than using 'would'. For example, "Will you please pass the salt?"
Uses of 'Would'
- Polite Requests: 'Would' is typically utilized to make polite requests or offers, such as, "Would you like some coffee?"
- Hypothetical Scenarios: 'Would' expresses conditional situations, like in the sentence, "If I won the lottery, I would travel the world."
- Habitual Actions in the Past: It reflects actions that were habitual in the past, illustrated in the phrase, "When we were kids, we would play outside all day."
Understanding the distinctions between 'will' and 'would' is crucial for effective communication, differentiating between certainty and politeness, as well as between future and hypothetical scenarios.
Audio Book
Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.
Understanding 'Will' and 'Would'
Chapter 1 of 4
π Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
Usage:
- Will/Would: Future intention, polite request, habitual action in the past (e.g., I will meet you. Would you mind opening the door?)
Detailed Explanation
This chunk introduces the modals 'will' and 'would'. 'Will' is primarily used to indicate future actions or intentions, while 'would' is often used for polite requests or to express habitual actions in the past. For example, when someone says 'I will go to the store tomorrow,' it shows a clear intention for a future action. On the other hand, if you say 'Would you mind helping me?', it's a polite way to ask for assistance.
Examples & Analogies
Think of 'will' as a promise: if you tell a friend 'I will help you with your homework tomorrow,' it indicates commitment. In contrast, 'would' can be likened to a polite suggestion, like when you say, 'Would you like some ice cream?' You're offering something without any pressure.
Future Intentions Using 'Will'
Chapter 2 of 4
π Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
Will: Future Intentions
- Examples:
- I will call you later.
- We will visit the museum next week.
Detailed Explanation
'Will' is used to express definite future intentions or actions that have not yet occurred. It is straightforward; when you say 'I will call you later,' it means you plan to make that call. This modal helps convey certainty and determination about future events.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine planning a birthday party. When you say, 'We will have the party on Saturday,' it shows everyone involved that you have made a definite plan.
Polite Requests with 'Would'
Chapter 3 of 4
π Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
Would: Polite Requests
- Examples:
- Would you mind closing the window?
- Would it be okay to borrow your pen?
Detailed Explanation
'Would' is commonly used to make polite requests. When you say, 'Would you mind closing the window?', you're asking someone to do something in a respectful way. It softens the request and makes it sound more considerate, as opposed to simply saying, 'Close the window.'
Examples & Analogies
Think of 'would' as the polite way of asking for a favor, much like when you approach a friend and say, 'Would you be able to help me carry this?' versus just saying, 'Help me carry this.' The first approach is more likely to be well-received.
Habitual Actions in the Past with 'Would'
Chapter 4 of 4
π Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
Habitual Actions: Would
- Examples:
- When I was young, I would play outside every day.
- She would always bring cookies to the class.
Detailed Explanation
'Would' can also indicate actions that were repeated in the past. For instance, 'When I was young, I would play outside every day,' shows a habit that occurred frequently in the past. Itβs important for illustrating routine behaviors or customs from a previous time.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine reminiscing about childhood. When you say, 'We would go camping every summer,' it evokes memories of a time when that was your regular activity, making it relatable and personal.
Key Concepts
-
Will: A modal verb used for future actions and intentions.
-
Would: A modal verb used for polite requests and hypothetical situations.
-
Polite Requests: Requests made in a courteous manner, often utilizing 'would'.
-
Habitual Actions: Past actions that were regular or customary.
Examples & Applications
'I will finish my homework later.'
'Would you like to join us for dinner?'
'When I was younger, I would ride my bike to the park every Saturday.'
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
Will decides what you'll do, in the future, that's your cue! Would is for polite displays, in requests that earn you praise.
Stories
Imagine a kind knight named Will who always helps others. He says, 'I will help you'. His friend Would always asks politely, 'Would you let me join?'
Memory Tools
Remember 'W' for Will's future and W for Would's wishful request.
Acronyms
W.I.L.L - Wishes In Life Later. W.O.U.L.D - Wishes Only Under Life's Dilemmas.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Will
A modal verb used to express future intentions or promises.
- Would
A modal verb used for polite requests, hypothetical situations, and habitual actions in the past.
- Polite Request
A question or request made in a courteous manner, often using 'would' instead of 'will'.
Reference links
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.