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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary

Confusion about 'will' and 'would'

What would be more appropriate in the following sentences, will or would?

1. I knew you wouldn't/won't let me down.
2. I didn't know that he would/will completely forget to wish me on my birthday.
3. Congrats! I always believed that you would/will do well.
4. I knew you wouldn't/won't be able to resist it.

Basically, when you're talking about the pastand what you thought, at that time, will happen in the future. Should I use 'would' or 'will' in such phrases.

Personally, I think 'would' sounds better, but I'm not too sure, it kind of confuses me everytime.
  

Top answer

Use "would". I knew you wouldn't let me down. I know you won't let me down.

  • Use "would".
  • I knew you wouldn't let me down.
  • I know you won't let me down.
  • I believed that you would do well.
  • I believe that you will do well.
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2 Answers
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Use "would".

I knew you wouldn't let me down.
I know you won't let me down.

I believed that you would do well.
I believe that you will do well.
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Anonymous1. I knew you wouldn't/won't let me down.
I know (present time) you won't (future time) let me down.

I knew (past time) you wouldn't (future-in-the-past) let me down.

"Would" is used for the future time relative to some time in the past. Both actions are complete in the present.

I knew he would forget my birth

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