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Linguaphile Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

will/would

My parents wouldn't allow me to go to the party.

My parents won't allow me to go to the party.

What's the difference between the two?
  

Top answer

wouldn't - the party was in the past won't - the party is in the future

— BarbaraPA

  • wouldn't - the party was in the past won't - the party is in the future
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6 Answers
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wouldn't - the party was in the past

won't - the party is in the future
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Grammar Geekwouldn't - the party was in the past

Not necessarily, IMO:

Should our neighbours organize a party, my parents wouldn't allow me to go. They dislike them very much.
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My parents wouldn't allow me to go to any party, if there is one in the neighbourhood. Hypothetical/conditional.

My parents won't allow me to go to the party. Definite.
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With additional context, "would" can be for a hypothetical party, yes.

As a stand-alone sentence, "would" is for the past.
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Grammar GeekAs a stand-alone sentence, "would" is for the past.
I agree.
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As a stand-alone sentence, "would" is for the past.
Actually, to split hairs, it's "would not" that's for the past. It gives the sense of "refused to".

My parents wouldn't allow me to go to the party.

Without the not (n't), I don't get the sense that it's a past tense.

My parents would allow me to go to the party s
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