will vs would

[Mr. X]

Hi,

I am trying to understand the difference between the two. For example: Let's say I sign the deal. Will you be angry? (here, I believe will is right because there is speculation over the future).

Otherwise, if we use would in a question, it refers to the immediate present. In other words, will=future, would=present. Is that right?

Mr. X

[Mr. X]

'Let's say I sign the deal. Will you be angry?' correct.

When you bring the conditional in, use would:

'If I were to sign the deal, would you be angry?'

In both cases, we're talking about the future.

Rover

Thanks, Rover, but can would be used even without the conditional? For instance: I am going to ask a few questions. Would that be okay with you? (I am assuming 'would' rather than 'will' is right here because it keeps things in the immediate present).

Also in statements, we say: I suppose that would be fine. Isn't this a polite way to saying: I suppose that is fine (rather than I suppose that will be fine). Doesn't would be simply replace is rather than act as the past of will?

[SoothingDave]

Not a teacher.

"Would" is conditional.

[Mr. X]

Not a teacher.

"Would" is conditional.

I am not sure that's always the case. 'That is fine' is simple present. 'That would be fine' is also present tense but it is a more formal way of putting it. Would doesn't make it conditional here.

[TheParser]

I am not sure that's always the case. 'That is fine' is simple present. 'That would be fine' is also present tense but it is a more formal way of putting it. Would doesn't make it conditional here.

********** NOT A TEACHER **********

Hello, Mr. X.

(1) I found your question and the posters' answers most

interesting and helpful.

(2) May I suggest that we can all agree to call would a modal?

(Then we need not debate the word conditional.)

(3) I found something in Mr. L. G. Alexander's highly respected

Longman English Grammar that might (!) apply to your question:

We often use would in place of the simple present tense when we

want to sound less definite.

Therefore, MAYBE (!!!) we can analyze your examples this way:

(Two people are speaking) "I am going to bring the contract to your

office on Friday. That is fine." = definite.

"I am going to bring the contract to your office on Friday. That would

be fine." = less definite.

Thank you

[bhaisahab]

"Would" can also be used to talk about past habits, in the same way that we use "used to". "When I lived by the sea, I would swim every morning." For example.

[Tdol]

Would can be used to add a degree of politeness as well as making something less definite.

[Atchan]

"Would" can also be used to talk about past habits, in the same way that we use "used to". "When I lived by the sea, I would swim every morning." For example.

"Would" really confused me, what I know about it is that it can be used in past habits but can it be used in present and future habits?

Do these sentences have a difference.
Past: If peter went to America I would go with him.
Future: If peter go to America I would go with him.

[bhaisahab]

"Would" really confused me, what I know about it is that it can be used in past habits but can it be used in present and future habits?

Do these sentences have a difference.
Past: If peter went to America, I would go with him.
Future: If peter go to America I would go with him.

Past: If Peter went to America, I would go with him. This is not past tense, it's conditional. We don't know if Peter will go to America, but if he does, "I" will go with him.
Which leads us neatly to your next example:
Future: If Peter goes to America, I will go with him.

[euncu]

Atchan, would you check this link please?;

Would

It helps me at times I get the similar confusion how to use "would". All different usages of would are here in an orderly fashion.