Will vs Would

Question

I am often confused with "will" and "would"...how can I differentiate when each should be used?

Is there an easy way to learn the differences?

thanks

Answer 1

Will is what English speakers use to express the simple future. I will go to the store. Iré a la tienda. It is not much different from the informal future. I am going to go to the store. Voy a ir a la tienda.

Would is what we use to express the conditional. I wouldn't do that if I were you. No haría eso si yo fuera tú. I would go to the store if it stopped raining. Iría a la tienda si dejaba de llover.

Sorry if my Spanish is a little off.

In general will has a more limited function: future events that are likely.

Would has a few more uses, but you can think of it as uncertain future events. Even in the case of invitations this is true. Would you like to attend my party? ¿Te gustaría asistir a mi fiesta? I don't know for certain that you would like to attend my party. That's why I use would.

One final note:

Don't stress, often either word can be used in informal conversation. I could ask you: Will you come to my party? ¿Vendrás a mi fiesta? and no one would think I was crazy.

Here are some websites with more help:

The difference between will and would.

Uses of would.

Uses of will.

awesome explanation! on another hand, I do worry about it because my manager is a writer and could certainly be an English professor.... - kclu787, Jul 8, 2011

Yes, you have given an excellent explanation with very good examples :) - FELIZ77, Jul 8, 2011

You guys are too sweet. It's been two years since I taught English. I kind of miss it, but Spanish is a fun subject too. - lachelvi, Jul 9, 2011

Answer 2

so, why would i say "I would like to take the day off", instead of "I will like to take the day off", I am not asking a question and is not past tense.

Because the "like to" implies that there is some condition that needs to be met in order for it to happen or that is preventing it:

I would like to but I can't

I would like to if I were able

I would like to if you would be so kind as to let me

If you are just going to do it, unconditionally, you would say:

I will do it

I think the "why would I say" is implicitly followed by the concept/condition "if I were trying to speak normal/proper English"- or something to that effect.

Answer 3

Will indicates that something is definitely going to happen. I will go to the store tomorrow.

Would indicates that something was going to happen, but is no longer going to happen. I would eat at that restaurant, but it is too crowded. Would can also indicate a question. Would you like some more tea? Would can also be used when requesting something. He would like some Pepsi.

so, why would i say "I would like to take the day off", instead of "I will like to take the day off", I am not asking a question and is not past tense. - kclu787, Jul 8, 2011

like my previous comment " why would I say", is would used because i am using past tense? thank u so much for your help. - kclu787, Jul 8, 2011

Kclu, you are requesting the day off. Therefore, "would" is your best choice ;) - SonrisaDelSol, Jul 8, 2011

"Why would I say"...you would use "would" because you are referring to the past. - SonrisaDelSol, Jul 8, 2011

Thanks again, Stadt, for noticing that. :) I appreciate your correction! - SonrisaDelSol, Jul 8, 2011

"would" is in no way restricted to the past. In fact, it is most commonly used to refer to the condiditional future. - samdie, Jul 8, 2011

Answer 4

Would is also used to indicate habitual actions in the past, ie:

"When I was a child, I would go swiming every summer."

"Cuando era niño, solía ir a nadar cada verano."

In most cases, this construction is the same as "used to ....."

And is similar in meaning to "When I was a child, I went swimming every summer." - lachelvi, Jul 8, 2011

Or Cuándo era niño nadaba cada verano. When I was a childI used to swim every summer. - kenwilliams, Jul 8, 2011

Answer 5

Hola.

Will means that you are going to do something at some point in the future.. it also expresses intent.

Would communicates a condition. You probably are not going to do the indicated action because of a reason, but if the condition didn't exist, then yes.

I would go, but I am tired. (Really you are not going to go)

I will go later. (You are going to go at a future point)

I will go at 10:00 pm. (You are going at a specified time)

I would be upset if you did that.

To say I would like this day off is more respectful. It also gives the other person opportunity to insert their opinion or conditions.

If you say I will take this day off, you do not take the other person into account. I will take this day off means I am taking it off no matter what you say.

This may upset a boss or coworker.

Good answer. - territurtle, Jul 8, 2011