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Mr. Tom Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Will or would

Hi

As a non-native speaker, I am often confused by will or would. Would you say that both examples are natural?

A- Did it bother you when you saw him with another woman?
B- I would be lying if I said it didn't.

A- Did it bother you when you saw him with another woman?
B- I will be lying if I say it didn't.

Also:

1) Let's rush now. He will have been waiting there for about an hour now.
2) Let's rush now. He would have been waiting there for about an hour now.

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

Mr. Tom I would be lying if I said it didn't. It's this one.

— CalifJim

  • Mr.
  • Tom I would be lying if I said it didn't.
  • It's this one.
  • Mr.
  • Tom Let's rush now.
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4 Answers
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Mr. TomI would be lying if I said it didn't.
It's this one.
Mr. TomLet's rush now. He will have been waiting there for about an hour now.
And this one.
Mr. TomI am often confused by will or would.
That's a common complaint.
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Thanks, CJ!

But could you please explain why this one is not OK?

A- Did it bother you when you saw him with another woman?
B- I will be lying if I say it didn't. or
B - If I say no I'll be lying.

Tom
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It suggests there is a real possibility of his saying 'I didn't'.
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Mr. Tomwhy this one is not OK
I will be lying if I say it didn't (bother me) suggests that the speaker is about to tell a lie, namely, "No, that didn't bother me".

Saying 'will ... say ...' suggests that the condition (saying "It didn't bother me") is likely to be fulfilled within the current situation.

So by using "would" instead of
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