Auxiliary verb will. The verb WILL (WOULD) in English. To describe habitual actions in the past

I think it is no exaggeration to say that modal verbs are one of the most difficult topics in English grammar.

There are about 10 of them in the English language, and they cause hundreds of misunderstandings when trying to express your emotions in English!

Education for the future. Verbs will, would, shall, should

If you studied English more than 30 years ago, then most likely, like me, you performed endless exercises on the use of the verbs will, would, shall, should to form future tenses and used something like this:

You may remember that at school we were required to use verbs in the 1st person shall and should. But the language lives and develops, and today will and would for all persons and numbers.

In addition, a feature of modern English is that it does not have a single form Future Tense without additional shades of necessity, coercion, desire. This should also be taken into account when using verbs. will and would in the future tense.

Will

Listen to the sound of the verb will, it is consonant with the Russian word "will". Indeed, the verb will most often used to express the will, and its negative form is a categorical refusal to perform an action.

Thus, from the indicator of the future tense, the verb will literally before our eyes turned into a modal verb and immediately acquired a large number of different meanings.

Here are a few of the most common ones. Will are used to:

• do predictions about the inevitable will) and incredible ( won’ t) events. It will (won't) be Ann's letter. It's for sure ( or definitely not) a letter from Ann.
• to express intentions, desires and promises: I will read it all! I will definitely read it all!
• formulate requests and orders. The form of a categorical order is noticeably mitigated by the use of please: Will you close the door, please? Could you close the door (please)?
• When categorical refusal(no way!) the negative form is used will, abbreviated won't: I won't do it! I will never do this!

Would

Verb would, moving into the category of modal, began to be used to express particularly polite requests: Would you come in? Won't you come in?

Shall

Verb shall can be used with any person. But I want to draw your attention to the fact that depending on the pronoun with which this verb is used, its meaning changes greatly.

In the 1st person and only in interrogative sentences, it is used:

1) To offer a service, to express readiness for action and determination. Shall I switch off the heating? Should I turn off the heating?

2) To ask for advice and to express my own bewilderment. I've lost my bag. What shall I do?I lost bag. What should I do?

In the 2nd and 3rd persons the verbshallexpresses an order or even a threat:

You shall stop immediately!Immediately stop!

In official documents, its use in all persons is permissible. to express commitments. The buyer shall make all payments in one week. The buyer must make all payments within one week.

Should

Verb should used to express:

• assumptions, but with less confidence than the verb will: Itshouldbe Ann's letter. It might be a letter from Ann.
• advice: You should visit a doctor.You should go to the doctor.
• moral duty(in 1st person): She's expecting.I should marry her.She is waiting child. I must marry her.
• recommendations in affirmative and negative forms: You shouldn't eat this! You shouldn't eat it!

Useful table

Look at the table "Traffic Light": it summarizes the meanings of verbs will, would, shall, should as modal, that is, expressing attitudes towards actions and events.

In English, in addition to these four verbs that we have examined, there are several more modal verbs that express:

• possibility and probability;
• prohibitions and advice;
• duty and rules;
• wishes and requests.

To memorize all these modal verbs and learn how to use them without thinking, you will definitely need practice!

Maximum Practice

you can get it for free on intensive “Beautiful English speech. Let's add emotions.

The intensive will take place online over two days. During class you:

• master this difficult topic for most people without difficulty, thanks to the complete traffic light scheme for all modal verbs;
• quickly understand the principles of their use;
• You will work out all the knowledge gained with the help of a special system of interactive exercises.

I warn you that you can get to the intensive for free only once and the number of places reserved for the participants of the event is already coming to an end.

To have time to reserve a place for yourself in the group.

See you at the intensive!

will and would are used to express the will of the speaker, his intention and perseverance. Verbs after will and would used without particle to.

Will used to express the present and future tense, and would- past or to express politeness. As a rule, they are distinguished by intonation or translated by the verb " to want».

Past	The present	Future
Would	Will / Would	Will
You knew I would do it anyway. You knew I wanted to do it anyway.	I like it and I will buy it! I love it and I want to buy it!
	Would you mind my sitting here? Do you mind if I sit here?

Will

You don't like it but I will buy it. You don't like it, but I intend to buy it (anyway).

Statement

In affirmative sentences, modal verbs will and would almost never used with subject, expressed pronoun You(you you).

• Intention
• We like this place that is why we will stay here! We like this place so we will stay here!
• Ann didn't have enough money but she would buy this dress anyway. Ann didn't have enough money, but she still wanted to buy this dress.

• persistence
• You don't want to hear but I will say it anyway. You don't want to hear it, but I'll say it anyway.
• Matt asked not to sing loudly but Jack would do it. Matt asked not to sing loudly, but Jack kept doing it.

Verb would used in construction I would like..(I would like to...), which expresses a desire or a polite request.

• I would like a cup of coffee.– I would like a cup of coffee.
• I would like to ask you for some help.“I would like to ask you for help.
• I would like to know whether this shop is still open. I would like to know if this store is still open.

Negation

In negative sentences with modal verbs will and would usually used in first and third person. Particle not placed after will and would.

• It is hard but we will not give up. It's hard, but we don't give up.
• You can try but she will not speak to you. You can try, but she won't (won't) talk to you.

• He begged me but I would not change my mind. He begged me, but I didn't change my mind.
• Paul was wet enough but he wouldn't change. Paul was quite wet, but he didn't want to change.

with inanimate objects will not or would not are used to show that these items are not doing their job or their purpose.

• will not = won't (abbreviation)
• I want to enter but the door won't open.- I want to go in, but the door won't open.

• would not = wouldn't
• I was in a hurry but my car wouldn't start up. I was in a hurry, but my car didn't want to start.

Question

Modal verbs will and would with subject, pronounced pronoun You are used to create polite questions. Wherein would more polite than will, and is often used in the design would you like..?(would you like to..? would you like to..?).

• Will you have a cup of coffee?– Would you like a cup of coffee?
• Would you pass me some bread please?- Could you pass me some bread, please?

• Would you like some wine?- Would you like some wine?
• What would you like to drink, madam? What would you like to drink, madam?

Features of use

Verbs will and would combine the modal meaning (desire, intention) with the function of the auxiliary verb of the future ( will) and elapsed time ( would). However, modal verbs will and would most often used with the first person, expressing the intention, desire of the speaker, or with the second person in polite questions.

Will not have

• I would prefer to stay at home.- I'd rather stay at home.
• I would prefer not to say it.“I'd rather not say that.
• Would you prefer me to have lie?“Would you prefer me to lie?” (but at that moment I did not lie)

• would prefer to = 'd prefer to (abbreviation)
• I 'd prefer my best friend to go abroad with me. I would like my best friend to go abroad with me. ing me a cup of coffee? – Could you bring me a cup of coffee?
• Would you mind Jack 's sitting here? Do you mind if Jack sits here?

Design I wouldn't mind expresses agreement with something.

• I wouldn't mind if you came with me.“I don't mind if you come with me.
• I wouldn't mind getting you a cup of coffee. I don't mind bringing you a cup of coffee.
• I wouldn't mind your telling them this story.“I don’t mind if you tell them this story.

The verb will (past tense would) has two functions in English:
The first is the action which is planned for the future:

I will go there. (I'll go there).

The second - which helps to express desire, readiness, determination to take action: She will have her own way. (She'll do things her way.)

As well as some degree of confidence and perseverance of the speaker:

That will be a doctor at the door. (Looks like the doctor has come.)

A bit of history

It is curious that in ancient English there was no special. The fact that the action is planned, people guessed with the help of context. For Russian speakers, it will help to remember the main lexical meaning of the verb, the consonant word "will". After all, in fact, one of the most popular uses of will is precisely the will to do something (or, on the contrary, refuse to act).

A feature of modern English is that it does not have a form of the future tense, without additional shades: necessity, coercion, desire, speaking or writing. This must be taken into account when using the verbs will and would.

It should be recalled that until recently, teachers of classical English grammar for the education of the Simple Future Tense () required the verb shall to be used in the 1st person. Nevertheless, the language lives and develops, and today will is almost universally considered the colloquial norm for all persons and numbers. On rare occasions, the use of shall gives the speech a more formal or mentoring tone.

The main uses of the verb will

• To indicate intention, desire, promise:
  He will help you. He will help you.
  We will come and see you next week. We will visit you next week.
• To express a request, an order:
  You will tell me all secrets! You tell me all the secrets!
  This form of categorical command, almost a threat, is noticeably softened by the use of please:
  Will you close the dour, please? Could you please close the door?
• To express some degree of certainty:
  We'll see you tomorrow. We'll see you tomorrow.
  He will be about fifty. He must be about fifty years old.

The main uses of the verb would

To express the possibility of certain actions in the past (, translated using the particle “would”).

If he knew, he would be glad. If he knew, he would be glad.

It is important to remember here that in English there is a strict rule for coordinating tenses. Therefore, if in the main clause they used the past tense, then in the subordinate clause, Future in the Past is used. For this purpose, we just use would. The difficulty, which often gives rise to errors, is that in Russian, the subordinate clause is translated simply by the future tense.

I knew that you would give me a chance. I knew you would give me a chance.

In the present tense, this form is used for especially polite, non-categorical requests.:

Would you come in? Won't you come in?
Would you close the window? Will you close the window?

To describe habitual actions in the past:

He would visit her every day. He used to visit her every day.

Used in reasoning and conjecture:

I wonder whether he would object … I wonder if he'll mind...

Sometimes the same verb is used to describe and convey direct speech:

She said she would leave. She said she would leave.

Abbreviated and negative forms of the verbs will and would

In English speech, the abbreviated (reduced) form of verbs is quite often used. In cases where the proposal is affirmative, everything is quite simple:

I will - I'll
I'll. visit this museum
I will visit this museum.

He (she) will -he'll (she'll)
He'll (she will) ask me about it. He/she will ask for it

We will - We'll
We'll (we will) look after the children.
We will look after the children.

The abbreviated form would be even easier to use. It is formed according to one rule, reduced to a short "‘d":
We were confident that he'd (he would) find a solution. We were confident that he would keep his promise.

Some difficulties may arise when using the shortened negative form of the verb will. In this case, you need to remember that you cannot use the general principle of reduction for this verb! The forms willn't and willnot don't exist! The correct ones are won't from will (will not);

We won't invite them. We will not invite them.

The verb would forms a short negative form according to the general rule: wouldn't

We knew that they wouldn't go to Moscow. We knew that they would not go to Moscow.

Features of the use of the verbs will and would

It is curious that in colloquial speech won't is pronounced exactly the same as the verb want (want, wish). You can recognize their meaning with the help of context, as well as a strict grammatical requirement. The verb want has its own meaning. It is not modal, therefore, it must be separated from another verb by the to particle.

Let's take two sentences as an example:

• We won't invite them. We will not invite them.
• We want to invite them; already translated: We want to invite them.

With the verb would, there are several set expressions (idioms) that are popular in colloquial speech: would rather; would be better; would sooner.

• I would rather go on the next train. I'll probably take the next train.
• You would better look after him. You better look after him.
• She said she would sooner stay at home. She would rather stay at home.

You can also memorize with these verbs, which will make your speech more natural and help you remember verbs better:

• Hawks will not pick hawks' eyes.- in literal translation, we are talking about hawks. Russian equivalent: A raven to a crow, it won't peck out its eye.
• Many words will not fill a bushel.- Words won't help.

Here you can take a lesson on the topic: Future tense and the verb "will" in English. Future Simple Tense and "will".

In English, there are several ways to express actions in the future tense. So, for example, with the help of the turnover to be going to (plans and intentions), or with the help of Present Continuous (pre-planned events) and Present Simple (schedules and programs).

However, the most important and meaningful way of expressing the future simple tense in English is the short word will, which is both the future form of the verb to be, and one of the modal verbs.

The verb will is quite simple in form, since it does not change in numbers or persons, and is used with a regular infinitive. The meaning of the word will is more intricate, which we will look at in this lesson, along with the use in various sentences and some distinctive features.

I. The first thing to be familiar with is conjugation of the verb will in affirmative, negative and interrogative forms, using personal pronouns as an example. pay attention to possible reductions.

1. Below is the conjugation in affirmative, negative and interrogative forms:

(+)
I will (I "ll) - I will
You will (You "ll) - You will / You will
He will (He "ll) - He will
She will (She "ll) - She will
It will (It "ll) - He / She will (inanimate)
We will (We "ll) - We will
They will (They "ll) - They will

(-)
I will not (I won "t) - I won't
You will not (You won "t) - You won't / You won't
He will not (He won "t) - He will not
She will not (She won "t) - She will not
It will not (It won "t) - He / She will not (inanimate)
We will not (We won "t) - We will not
They will not (They won "t) - They won't

(?)
Will I..? - Would I..?
Will you..? - Will you..? / Will you..?
Will he..? - Will he...?
Will she..? - Will she...?
Will it..? - Will he/she...? (inanimate)
Will we..? - Will we..?
Will they..? - Will they..?

As you can see from the examples, will does not change in any way, and this is quite convenient when making sentences. The only noticeable changes are visible in the abbreviated negative form - won "t /" wəunt /.

2. Due to the fact that the verb will belongs to the modal group, it obeys many rules of this particular group. For example, after all modal verbs (except for have to and need to) in sentences followed by infinitive(the original form of the verb). For example:

He will call you tomorrow. - He'll call you tomorrow.
I won "t tell you her secret. - I won't tell you her secret.
Will she be back by next Sunday? - Yes, she will. -No, she won't. - Will she be back by next Sunday? -Yes. -No.
Where will you stay during your holiday? - Where will you stay during your vacation?

As can be seen from the examples, marker words are often used in the simple future tense: tomorrow (tomorrow), next week (next week), next month (next month), in the future (in the future), in the coming year (in the coming year), soon (soon), in a week (in a week), in several days (in a few days), etc.

The examples also show several features of interrogative sentences with the word will. First of all, these are short answers to common questions that are sure to repeat the verb will in affirmative and negative form. And the second feature is the ability to build special questions in the simple future tense with any question words (what, where, why, when, etc.) that are placed at the very beginning of the sentence.

II. The future tense verb will has many values. Let's consider each of them separately.

1. First of all, will, in contrast to the turnover to be going to, expresses spontaneous unplanned actions in the future. For example:

Fine, I "ll let you know when I" m free. - Okay, I'll let you know when I'm free.
- The phone is ringing. - I "ll answer it. - The phone rings. - I will answer.
I think he will never call again. I don't think he'll ever call again.

It can be seen from the examples that these phrases express unplanned thoughts, i.e. the fact that the speaker did not plan them in advance, but just decided. The last example also clearly demonstrates that instead of the particle not, you can use the word never to give a sentence a negative connotation.

2. Often the word will is used in offers - promises. For example:

I will never leave you. - I'll never leave you.
It won "t hurt, I promise. - It won't hurt, I promise.

3. Will is also used to express actions in the future that are inevitable. For example:

He will be far away at this time tomorrow. He will be very far away by this time tomorrow.
I will turn 30 next September. - I will turn 30 next September.

4. One of the frequent uses of the word will is confident future forecasts and predictions. For example:

This card says that you "ll be happy with him. - This card says that you will be happy with him.
The weather won "t change tomorrow. - The weather will not change tomorrow.

5. In the main part of conditional sentences of the first type the verb will is also often used. For example:

If it rains. I "ll wear a raincoat. - If it rains, I'll put on a raincoat.
If you come with us, we "ll book a larger table. - If you come with us, we will reserve a larger table.

6. Will is also often used to express possible actions in future with expressions:
I think.., I hope.., I "m sure.., I"m afraid.., I promise.., possibly, probably, and some others. For example:

I think she will pass this exam. - I think she will pass this exam.
I promise that I'll help you with your home task. - I promise I will help you with your homework.
I'm sure they'll win. - I'm sure they'll win.
I "m afraid he won't come. I'm afraid he won't come.
It "ll probably rain tonight. - It may rain tonight.
He "ll possibly win this fight. - Maybe he will win this fight.

III. In addition to the verb will, the modal verb shall is sometimes used to express the future simple tense. This applies especially to questions with shades of request (Request) or offer(Offer). For example:

Shall we dance? - Shall we dance?
Shall I make you some coffee? - Make you coffee?
Shall I see you tomorrow? - Will we see you tomorrow?

In British English, shall is considered to be used in normal first-person affirmative sentences (I shall, We shall), however, these are slightly outdated expressions.

Quite often, the future simple tense with the verbs will and shall is used in English sayings. For example:

Broken friendship may be soldered, but will never be sound. - A cracked friendship can be glued together, but it will never be strong again.
No herb will cure love. - Love can not be cured by any potions.
He that will eat the kernel must crack the nut. - Anyone who wants to eat nuts must crack them. / If you don’t crack a nut, you won’t eat the kernels either.
We shall see what we shall see. - We'll see that. / It's still how to look.
Many words will not fill a bushel. - You can't fill a vessel with many words. / You won't be full of talk.
If the sky falls, we shall catch larks. - If the sky falls, we will catch larks. / If only, if only.
Hawks will not pick hawks "eyes. - The hawk will not peck out the eyes of the hawk.
Not that will not when he may, when he will he shall have nay. - He who does not want to, when he can, will no longer be able to, when he wants to.
As the tree falls, so shall it lie. - As the tree falls, so it will lie. / Where the tree leaned, it fell there.

Thus, we got acquainted with the future tense in English, as well as with the verbs of the future: will and shall. In addition, we looked at the form and place of the verb will in sentences, plus its many meanings.

For a small charge try to translate the following sentences into English:

I think he will like this gift.
The weather will change for the better next week.
He promised he would call me.
Can I help you with these heavy bags?
Can you help me?
If it's cold, I'll put on my warm coat.
I'm sure this team will win.
She probably won't come.
Maybe it will rain tomorrow.
I'm afraid it won't help.
Where can we celebrate this Christmas?