0
Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Would versus Will
My colleague sent out an email announcing that X from his team is to be contacted for queries or assistance. He composed this sentence as: "X would extend all support required".
I think he ought to have said "X will extend all support required". I feel my collegue would have been right if he was trying to communicate that X habitually/repeatedly extended support in the past.
My collegue says "will" should only be used to express certainity. He feels "would" has been used correctly, because he was communicating that X is the intended contact. While X ought to address every query, my colleague cannot be certain of it.
Which of us is right?
Thank you.
I think he ought to have said "X will extend all support required". I feel my collegue would have been right if he was trying to communicate that X habitually/repeatedly extended support in the past.
My collegue says "will" should only be used to express certainity. He feels "would" has been used correctly, because he was communicating that X is the intended contact. While X ought to address every query, my colleague cannot be certain of it.
Which of us is right?
Thank you.
Top answer
I'm afraid that you are both a bit off the mark. We will extend all support required -- a simple statement of intention. Since the email is not a contract, there is no fear of contradiction if it happens that some query cannot be addressed.
- I'm afraid that you are both a bit off the mark.
- We will extend all support required -- a simple statement of intention.
- Since the email is not a contract, there is no fear of contradiction if it happens that some query cannot be addressed.
- Will here is a positive statement of intended helpfulness.
- We would extend all support required [if such is requested of us].
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
5 Answers
0
I'm afraid that you are both a bit off the mark.
We will extend all support required-- a simple statement of intention. Since the email is not a contract, there is no fear of contradiction if it happens that some query cannot be addressed. Will here is a positive statement of intended helpfulness.
We would extend all support required [if such is r
We will extend all support required-- a simple statement of intention. Since the email is not a contract, there is no fear of contradiction if it happens that some query cannot be addressed. Will here is a positive statement of intended helpfulness.
We would extend all support required [if such is r
00
Is there any similiarty between would, should and can?
eg: <I can do that , I would do that>
<why should i do that / why would I do that? OR what should be the correct answer /what would be the correct answer> Thanks
eg: <I can do that , I would do that>
<why should i do that / why would I do that? OR what should be the correct answer /what would be the correct answer> Thanks
00
The similarity is that these are all modal verbs. Each gives a slightly different shade of meaning, or even multiple meanings to the surrounding thought.
Why should I ... asks why I am obligated to do something, or why it is expected of me to do it (possibly even with the flavor that I think it is unjust to have to do it -- if said in a whining tone!).
Why would
Why should I ... asks why I am obligated to do something, or why it is expected of me to do it (possibly even with the flavor that I think it is unjust to have to do it -- if said in a whining tone!).
Why would
00
CalifJimWhy would I ... asks in which possible world or under what conditions there is a reason to do something (possibly with the suggestion that there is no such set of circumstances I can think of).I would add:
Why would I ... asks in which possible world or under what conditions there is a reason for me
00
Related Questions