0
Tenacious Learner Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Would versus Will?

Hi teachers,
Can 'will' be the correct verb form to be used in sentence'b'?
Is it interchangeably with 'would' in sentence 'b'? I mean are both of them correct for 'b'?

a) Why did the shopkeeper think it would be difficult for Merrick to get to the hospital?
b) Why does the shopkeeper think it will be difficult for Merrick to get to the hospital?

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

Yes, as long as the question isn't referring to an unreal situation.

— RandomGuy

  • Yes, as long as the question isn't referring to an unreal situation.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

7 Answers
0
Yes, as long as the question isn't referring to an unreal situation.
0
0
Hi Aspara Gus,
Thank you for your reply. But it doesn't refer to an unreal situation. Then only 'will' is possibe for 'b' isn't it?

TS
0
0
That's right. Both examples are fine.
0
0
Hi Aspara Gus,
Thank you very much for your reply. So, 'would is the past tense of 'will', as 'could' is the past tense of 'can'.

TS
0
0
They can be. In your example, would is the past tense of will.
0
0
Hi,
Aspara GusYes, as long as the question isn't referring to an unreal situation.
Do you mean sentence 'b' can refer to unreal past if 'would' were to be used instead of 'will'?How can one tell whether this same sentence is 'unreal past ' or not?

thanks.
0
0
nsfs2Do you mean sentence 'b' can refer to unreal past if 'would' were to be used instead of 'will'?
No. It would have to be would have.
0

Related Questions