|
|
 #2 (permalink) Mon May 14, 2007 6:34 am Using Will and Would |
|
|
.
Here it is primarily a matter of likelihood.
'Will' suggests that the speaker (or a person of interest) is definitely going to arrive in London in the future-- it is a definite plan, or s/he is buying a ticket, or s/he is aboard the train now.
'Would' is hypothetical ('How long would it take, if I were going?'), so the speaker is only contemplating the possibility of travel to London.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
|
 Mister Micawber
Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005
Posts: 13015
|
|
| #3 (permalink) Mon May 14, 2007 7:28 am Using Will and Would |
|
|
| Mister Micawber wrote: |
'Would' is hypothetical ('How long would it take, if I were going?'), so the speaker is only contemplating the possibility of travel to London.
. |
Hi, Mister Micawber
Could you tell me if "would" can also be looked upon as "will" from the past, for example:
When I was young I knew how long it would take to get to London
Thank you |
|
Lost_Soul
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 1861
Location: South Park, Colorado, USA
|
 |
| #4 (permalink) Mon May 14, 2007 10:33 am Using Will and Would |
|
|
Hi MM,
Thanks a lot for the reply.
| Mister Micawber wrote: |
.
'Would' is hypothetical ('How long would it take, if I were going?'), so the speaker is only contemplating the possibility of travel to London.
. |
Does it mean the second sentence or question is wrong, I mean should we not use "would" with out any condition like you said "If I were going"?
I am in doubt if we can use, as lost-soul has asked, "would" as the past form of "Will".
Thanks,
EngLearner. |
|
EngLearner
I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 18 Apr 2007
Posts: 17
|
|
| #5 (permalink) Mon May 14, 2007 11:18 am Using Will and Would |
|
|
.
| Quote: |
| Could you tell me if "would" can also be looked upon as "will" from the past, for example: 'When I was young I knew how long it would take to get to London'. |
Yes, in your sentence 'would' is the past form of 'will'. ('Will from the past'? 'Will' in the past, viewed from now, perhaps.)
| Quote: |
| Does it mean the second sentence or question is wrong, I mean should we not use "would" with out any condition like you said "If I were going"? |
The condition clause is not needed as a part of the language statement, but is implied by using 'would' here.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
|
Mister Micawber
Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005
Posts: 13015
|
|
|
| What does 'Virginia Company in England' mean? | I am getting lost in the context in 'Remember that lack of sexual confidence... |
