John will/would be busy now.

Question

I'm confused with the usage of will/would. For example:

John will be busy now.

John would be busy now.

That will be the best solution.

That would be the best solution.

What's the difference between those will and would? I'd appreciate it if you could explain it. Thanks in advance.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I'm confused with the usage of will/would. For example:

John will be busy now.

John would be busy now.

That will be the best solution.

That would be the best solution.

What's the difference between those will and would?

'Would' can be conditional. eg If he had not died yesterday, Tom would be busy today.

'Would' can also be used more for politeness., as a form of softening your remark (often called 'distancing'.)

eg I say 'That would be the best solution', but what I mean is 'You are a complete idiot and it is obvious to everyone else except you that this is/will be the best solution!'

Best wishes, Clive

CalifJim · Answer

Like many other situations in learning a language, explanation won't help -- not much anyway. You just have to experience these words in their many, many contexts for quite a long time before you understand exactly how to use them. No explanation exists which easily covers all the possible uses of these words. You almost have to ask about one sentence at a time.

That said, in the sentences you wrote, in the first pair, it doesn't make a lot of difference which you use -- the "will of probability" or the "would of probability". Both mean, in a broad sense, that John is probably busy now. Perhaps the second, with would, indicates a little less certainty. This is my interpretation. There may be others. Personally, I don't use either of these very much.

In the second pair, if we contrast the use of will and would, the use of will makes the situation more definite. It sounds like the chosen solution really will be implemented. With would, it seems that the solution might be implemented only if the right situation were to come about, and it's not certain that such a situation will come up. The idea is that if the people concerned ever need the solution -- and no one knows if they will need it -- they know which solution is best.
CJ

John will/would be busy now.

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions