Will and would – typical or critical? 2
We use will and would to talk about habits and typical behaviour, and laws of nature:
- Mum just does everything – and Dad‘ll just sit there reading the newspaper!
- I’ll put lunch on the table, and John will say ‘Where’s my mustard?’ It’s infuriating.
Would is used to talk about the past:
- He was quite a decent boss, but he would never stop talking at meetings! (= he never used to stop talking….)
- At night you would hear the lorries speeding through the village.
If we stress will and would it can sound critical:
- He would say that, wouldn’t he? (i.e. I expected no better, such behaviour istypical of him)
- They would arrive late – they always do.
Can you which of these sentences imply criticism?
1. [Match]
Isn’t it amazing how often you find the following things happen?
(Notes
You can bet your bottom dollar = you can bet your life – used to say that you are completely certain that something is true or will happen. Eg You can bet your bottom dollar that he’ll be home late.
To stand on your own two feet – to be independent
Critical, not typical – just the one below. The others all describe sth you can expect to happen.
She keeps running home to Mum – she just will not stand on her own two feet……..
)
Answers for Quiz [1].
- 1. weather will improve. (correct)
- 2. stand on her own two feet…….. (correct)
- 3. will break down. (correct)
- 4. it will. (correct)
- 5. announce a strike. (correct)
- 6. a stroke. (correct)
- 7. the moment we sat down for dinner. (correct)
- 8. your symptoms will disappear. (correct)
- 9. be the slowest one! (correct)