doesn't/won't start

[haseli22]

Dear native speakers,

In the following context, which verb for is correct?

My car won't start/doesn't start. Maybe the battery is dead.

Thanks.

 

[5jj]

My car won't start/doesn't start. Maybe the battery is dead.

Both are possible. Won't seems to imply some stubbornness on the part of the car.

 

[emsr2d2]

Dear native speakers,

In the following context, which verb for is correct?

My car won't start/doesn't start. Maybe the battery is dead.

Thanks.

If it's a one-off problem, then "My car won't start" is appropriate and the problem might be a dead battery which can be easily rectified.
If the problem occurs regularly, then "My car doesn't start [in the mornings]". If the same problem happens regularly and it's always a dead battery, then there's something wrong with the battery.

 

[SoothingDave]

Both are possible. Won't seems to imply some stubbornness on the part of the car.

Yes, but when it won't start it does indeed appear to be deliberately frustrating your goals. If I came back into the house in the morning, I would tell the wife that the car "won't start." I would not say "doesn't start."

 

[Winwin2011]

Yes, but when it won't start it does indeed appear to be deliberately frustrating your goals. If I came back into the house in the morning, I would tell the wife that the car "won't start." I would not say "doesn't start."

Hi SoothingDave,

What do you mean by "deliberately frustrating your goals" in the above context. I couldn't find the meaning in google.

Thanks.

 

[SoothingDave]

Hi SoothingDave,

What do you mean by "deliberately frustrating your goals" in the above context. I couldn't find the meaning in google.

Thanks.

I mean that it is thwarting me in the attainment of my goals. It is acting in a way that opposes what I am trying to accomplish.

 

[Winwin2011]

If it's a one-off problem, then "My car won't start" is appropriate and the problem might be a dead battery which can be easily rectified.
If the problem occurs regularly, then "My car doesn't start [in the mornings]". If the same problem happens regularly and it's always a dead battery, then there's something wrong with the battery.

If it's a one-off problem, other than "My car won't start", can we say ""My car isn't starting".

Thanks.

 

[emsr2d2]

If it's a one-off problem, other than "My car won't start", can we say ""My car isn't starting".

Thanks.

You could but it would be less natural.