0
Yara1 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Usage of will and would

I hope the teachers would not think that I am prejudiced against the team. I am not, but I will pass to you the words of the dean, which are very clear, hoping that you do not disregard them.

is the grammar correct in the previous sentence? or should it be:

I hope the teachers will not think that I am prejudiced against the team. I am not, but I will pass to you the words of the dean, which are very clear, hoping that you will not disregard them.

or do we use "would not" in both cases???

i think of using would because there is uncertainty in the future. I somehow forgot the rule about its usage! can we not use "would" ever with present tense?
  

Top answer

I'm confident that both versions are correct, carrying different shades of meaning. I'm afraid I'd have to look up the technical names. )

— Avangi

  • I'm confident that both versions are correct, carrying different shades of meaning.
  • I'm afraid I'd have to look up the technical names.
  • )
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

9 Answers
0
I'm confident that both versions are correct, carrying different shades of meaning. I'm afraid I'd have to look up the technical names. (I'm afraid I'll have to look up the technical names.)
0
0
Thanks so much avangi! It would be great if someone can give me a more detailed answer though, the "would" issue is confusing me i have to say
0
0
I'm anxious for the proper terms too. As a non-ESL person, I haven't been indoctrinated into conditionals.

Have a safe trip. I hope you don't drive too fast!

This is absolutely idiomatic, as is "I hope you won't drive too fast."


"I hope you don't drive too fast" can actually have two meanings: It can describe habitual behavior (I hope you'r
0
0
Here's my take on it.

To be on the safe side, say "I hope the teachers will not think ..." or, in the past, "I hoped the teachers would not think ...", keeping the tenses in agreement. After hope, the present can have future meaning, so the present is also possible. "I hope the teachers don't think ..."

As for "hoping that ...", either form (do or will
0
0
Jim,
Do you have anything on the OP's inquiry as to whether "I hope the teachers would not think . . . " is correct?
0
0
Avangi"I hope the teachers would not think . . . " is correct?
It registers pretty far down on my "Acceptability Meter" -- not because it's grammatically incorrect (It's fine.) but because my intuition tells me that the OP does not want or need such a nuanced shade of meaning in the context presented. (I can barely bring that shade of meaning into focu
0
0
thanks so much all of you for thinking about this. if you gather any additional info about the would issue do post it. I would love to hear that it's good to use "would" and present as i seem to have grown a sort of attachment to using this conbination (especially when i feel there's a doubt somewhere that needs to be expressed!!
0
0
yara1About the "precious" touch, it would be then acceptable or even better to use this form in literary contexts... no?
Yes, for example, when the author wishes to portray one of the characters in his narrative that way.

CJ
0
0
CalifJim the OP does not want or need such a nuanced shade of meaning in the context presented.
Thanks for the insight, CJ. I thought it was okay, but had no idea how to explain the usage. - A.
0

Related Questions