Will VS would

Question

Which is more correct:Do not say that to him becuase it would cause a rift between us.ORDo not say that to him becuase it will cause a rift between us.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Do not say that to him because it will cause a rift between us.
This is said when you want to be very direct and commanding.

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Do not say that to him because it would cause a rift between us.
This is less direct or blunt. It has the tone of a polite request.

Ali.h · Answer

Thank you

Shawn Fitzpatrick · Answer

Each of your sentences have a hidden "if" clauses.

They mean:
1) Do not say that to him becuase [if you DID], it would cause a rift between us.
...OR...
2) Do not say that to him becuase [if you do], it will cause a rift between us.

Notice: in the first sentence, "did" and "would" are in the past tense, BUT* both sentences refer to the future. Many students find this surprising, but past tense *CAN be used here.

If a speaker uses the "past" tense, it emphasizes that the speaker thinks that causing a rift is UNDESIRABLE. So, sentence #1 has the following nuance:

"Do not say that to him becuase [if you DID], *** forbid, it would cause a rift between us."

But this is optional. The speaker is not REQUIRED to add this nuance. Therefore, both sentences are grammatical.

Generally speaking, the structure "if" + (past tense) can indicate any of the following:
- past time reference
- that something is unlikely
- that something is undesirable
- that something is untrue
- that fulfilling the condition is optional (in the case of a request)

Suggestion:
Google "Michael Lewis" and "remote form"

Ali.h · Answer

Thank you

Will VS would

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