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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Won't Go vs. Wouldn't Go

Hello,

Suppose I were at a train station and inserted my card to the machine so I could enter, and then the machine didn't accept it. Which of the following is correct to say to the person assisting the passengers:

"Sorry, it won't go."
"Sorry, it wouldn't go."

I ask because I'm new to an English-speaking country. Thank you.
  

Top answer

You could say either depending if you have done it or continuing to try to do it. I would say it didn't work/(If proving at the same time) It doesn't work.

— Dave Phillips

  • You could say either depending if you have done it or continuing to try to do it.
  • I would say it didn't work/(If proving at the same time) It doesn't work.
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4 Answers
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You could say either depending if you have done it or continuing to try to do it. I would say it didn't work/(If proving at the same time) It doesn't work.
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Thank you, Dave, for your helpful response.

I agree 'It didn't work' or 'It doesn't work' is much better as you've suggested, but is 'wouldn't go' or 'won't go' not natural for the situation?
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Nobody would tell you that they are wrong, I would say won't go when something doesn't move - if the gate was stuck then you might say won't go.
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Again, thank you so much.

I was actually thinking of 'go' as having the same meaning as 'operate' like saying: The machine wouldn't operate correctly to let me through the gate. But I believe 'work' is much better and easier to understand.
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