will/ would

Question

If I change all the "would" words in the following sentences to "will", will they have the same meanings?

You wouldn't recognize the place now – it's changed so much.
It would be fun to have a beach party.
It's no use talking to Henry – he wouldn't understand.
Why would anyone want to kill Jerry?
Where would he have hidden the keys?
I could lend you some – would fifty pounds be enough?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

LcchangIf I change all the "would" words in the following sentences to "will", will they have the same meanings?

No. The meaning can shift a little if you make those changes. Sometimes it's a matter of which context you are in when you say it.

1 You [wouldn't / won't] recognize the place now – it's changed so much.
2 It [would / will] be fun to have a beach party.
3 It's no use talking to Henry – he [wouldn't / won't] understand.
4 Why [would / will] anyone want to kill Jerry?
5 Where [would / will] he have hidden the keys?
6 I could lend you some – [would / will] fifty pounds be enough?

1 won't suggests that you are going to show the place to this person fairly soon.
1 wouldn't might suggest that you are very far away from the place and that the person won't actually see it.

2 will suggests that you have already planned the party. You could be speculating on how much fun it will be.
2 would suggests that you are speaking theoretically, just wondering what it would be like to have a party.

3 won't suggests that the person you're talking to is seriously considering talking to Henry soon.
3 wouldn't might suggest that the person you're talking to has just brought up the subject of talking to Henry very casually in the conversation.
To my ear, the difference in this example is very slight.

4 will is very difficult to contextualize. It doesn't suggest anything to me. It just sounds wrong.
4 would is the correct choice, in my opinion. The standard combination is "Why would anyone want to ...?"

5 will is possible, but not likely. It creates a "will have of probability" which is rather old-fashioned.
5 would is the usual choice in this kind of question. It shows more doubt than will, and doubt is normally what questions express.

6 will suggests that the speaker is very willing to lend the money.
6 would suggests that the speaker is being a little more tentative.
To my ear, the difference in this example is very slight.

CJ

will/ would

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