Would and Will: The two are auxiliary verbs and both have different functions. One cannot in any way replace the other as has been misconstrued by many.

 ‘Will’ is a definite future marker, and that is all it is good for. It is used with a present tense verb to show an action that is guaranteed to take place in the future.

For instance:
– I will post this piece after I am done.
– I will close from work at 7pm

Would, however is more complex.

It is misused as a future marker as well. In other instances, it is misused as a show of respect while in other instances a direct past of will.

All these are wrong.

For instance, ‘I would go home at 7pm’ is wrong English unless that action is conditioned on a different action or event, which must clearly be indicated.

That brings us to the first rule for its usage.

  1. ‘Would’ is used to demonstrate an action which can, will or is expected to happen but is conditioned on a different occurrence.

For instance,

– I would appreciate it if you share this piece with your friends.

In the above, my appreciation is in the future but ‘will’ cannot be used because ‘will’ is only used if the future action is definite.

However, my appreciation is conditioned on you sharing this piece, once you do not share it, there is no appreciation from me so using ‘will’ is not only wrong, it is very wrong.

Also, would is used to report a conversation that happened in the past which referenced the future at the time.

Example, Kofi tells her sister Akosua that:  “I will do the dishes.”

After mummy returns home and the dishes are still in the washer and Akosua is being scolded.

The proper way of reporting what Kofi said is: Kofi said, he would do the dishes.

Here, the action reported takes place in the past despite the resultant action referring to a future.

It is wrong to use ‘will’ here because despite the end action referring to a future, that future has since expired which means the Kofi’s ‘will’ cannot happen anymore.

Even if he does wash the dishes, once his sister is reporting what was earlier discussed, the effect of Kofi’s will has been negated.

‘Would’ can also be used to ask questions of likely events in the future. ‘Will’ is not acceptable because, again, the event is not definite, just likely.

For instance

Would you travel to Nogokpo next week? Not Will you travel to Nogokpo next week?

Summary

– Will is only used to refer to a definite future. Never use it to refer to an action that has already happened or even for a future action that is conditional.

– Would is used for a future action that is conditional on another action or to mark a past action.

IS THERE ANYTHING I MISSED? Let me know in the comments section.
Other comments are welcome.

Consultant: Edwin Appiah, Editor, The Ghana Report