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Hi,What is the difference inmenaing between:1. Would you write this sentence in this way?2. Will you write this sentence in this way?Q

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I assume the context you are thinking of is one in which a teacher is asking a student this question.

We've discussed this with you before in other threads. Can you try to tell us what you think the difference is? Then we can give you more helpful comments.

Some

Tung Quoc · Answer

In fact, I can't distinguish the difference between would and will here.

I think both mean the same but the sentence with would is more polite.

Do you know any other differences?

Q

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I think both mean the same but the sentence with would is more polite. Yes

Do you know any other differences? Not really. I just wanted to be sure you understood the overall difference between 'will' and 'would'. eg 'If I gave you $10, would you . . . '

Best wishes, Clive

Tung Quoc · Answer

Hi,

You wrote:

I assume the context you are thinking of is one in which a teacher is asking a student this question.

We've discussed this with you before in other threads. Can you try to tell us what you think the difference is? Then we can give you more helpful comments.

Some

What does some mean?

Q

Clive · Answer

Hi Quoc,

I don't understand. Why are you suddenly asking a question about 'some'. I didn't use the word in my writing that you quoted.

Best wishes, Clive

Tung Quoc · Answer

Hi,

You did use the word some.

Please see your replies above and tell me what does it mean?

Q

Yankee · Answer

CliveHi,

I assume the context you are thinking of is one in which a teacher is asking a student this question.

We've discussed this with you before in other threads. Can you try to tell us what you think the difference is? Then we can give you more helpful comments.

Some

Quoc, it looks like Clive simply began a sentence and then deleted or changed it and somehow the word "Some" ended up not being deleted.

With regard to your original question, to me the difference in your two sentences is this:

a) "Would you write this sentence this way?" = "If you were to write this sentence, would you possibly write it this way?"

b) "Will you write this sentence this way?" = "I am asking you to write this sentence this way." or "Do you want to write this sentence this way?"

When you ask questions like this in the forum, it is usually more appropriate to use "would" because it is more theoretical.

Further:

c) Would you choose (1) or (2)? = "If you were to choose one of these two, would it be (1) or (2)." This is a theoretical question and it leaves the possibility open that the person thinks both (1) and (2) are wrong or bad and therefore would not choose either one.

d) Will you choose (1) or (2)? = This assumes that the person who is answering your question likes at least one of the options (and in the context of this forum, that is often NOT the case).

It is better to ask such questions more theoretically. And that means you should use "would".

Clive · Answer

Hi Quoc,

Yes, it was just a typo.

Clive

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