0
Prolix Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

will or would?

Hi guys,

I believe it is usually more correct to say "I would like to" as opposed to "I will like to". But what should you use in the situation below?

If there is anything I can help with, I would like to help. (I think this sounds the best, but shouldn't the tenses agree - can with will, could with would?)

If there is anything I can help with, I will like to help.

If there was/were anything I could help with, I would like to help. (sounds really strange)

Thanks guys! Emotion: smile
  

Top answer

Hello, prolix—and welcome to English Forums. prolix believe it is usually more correct to say "I would like to" as opposed to "I will like to". In fact, the second is wrong; it is not acceptable.

— Mister Micawber

  • Hello, prolix—and welcome to English Forums.
  • prolix believe it is usually more correct to say "I would like to" as opposed to "I will like to".
  • In fact, the second is wrong; it is not acceptable.
  • prolix If there is anything I can help with, I would like to help.
  • That is fine.
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.

5 Answers
0
Hello, prolix—and welcome to English Forums.
prolix believe it is usually more correct to say "I would like to" as opposed to "I will like to".
In fact, the second is wrong; it is not acceptable.
prolixIf there is anything I can help with, I would like to help.
That is fine.
prolixIf there is anything I
0
0
Hi Mister Micawber,

Thank you for your reply. Just a further question: Isn't there usually a need to match your tenses?

For eg.:

I will help you if I can.

I would help you if I could.

If so, wouldn't "If there is anything I can help with, I would like to help" be breaking this rule?

Thanks again!
0
0
prolixIsn't there usually a need to match your tenses?For eg.:I will help you if I can.I would help you if I could.
Yes, but those are not tenses—both sentences refer to the present or future— they are conditional statements.
prolixIf so, wouldn't "If there is anything I can help with, I would like to help" be breaking this rule?
0
0
prolixshouldn't the tenses agree
In the general case, yes, but you're working with an idiom ("would like") that is treated grammatically as if it were its less polite synonym ("want") so for purposes of tense agreement, think of "would like" as a present tense expression.

Steve [would like / wants] some dessert, but there isn't any.

Th
0
0
Thank you, Mister Micawber and CalifJim! Both of you have been most helpful Emotion: smile
0

Related Questions