Other uses of “will” and “would”

Present

Past

Repeated action:

John is a quiet worker, he’ll sit at his desk for hours and won’t say a word.

John was a quiet worker, he would sit at his desk for hours and wouldn’t say a word.

Capability:

This sports car will go 120 m.p.h., but it won’t start in bad weather.

My old car wouldn’t go over 40 m.p.h., but it would start in any weather.

Refusal/

willingness:

Bill wants to leave early but his boss won’t let him.

Bill wanted to leave early, but his boss wouldn’t let him.

1. This elevator will hold up to 20 people.

___ …often holds …

___ is capable of holding …

___ is willing to hold …

2. When I was young we spent our summers by the sea. We’d go swimming every morning.

___We used to …

___ We could …

___We were willing to …

3. Meg is the first one to arrive at the office. She’ll be busily working at her desk before anyone else arrives.

___She’s often …

___She can be …

___She’s willing to be …

4. The Wright Brothers’ first airplane wouldn’t stay up longer than a minute.

___ …didn’t used to …

___ …couldn’t …

___ … wasn’t willing to…

He’s definitely …

= I know he’s …

= I’m sure (certain) he’s …

He must be …

= I assume he’s …

= I’m almost sure (certain) he’s …

He should be …

= He’s probably …

= I think he’s …

He may/might be …

= Maybe (Perhaps) he’s …

= It’s possible he’s …

He’s probably not …

= I don’t think he’s …

= I doubt he’s …

in his office.

1. I think it’s going to get warmer tomorrow.

___ It’s definitely going to …

___ It’s probably going to …

___ Maybe it will …

2. It’s possible Carol is out for the evening.

___ She must be …

___ She’s definitely …

___ She might be …

3. The company will definitely open a new plant.

___ I’m sure they’ll …

___ I assume they’ll …

___ I think they’ll …

4. I assume our health plan will cover my recent hospital visit.

___ I’m sure …

___ I’m almost sure …

___ It’s possible …

I doubt such a big research investment will prove worthwhile.

___ I’m sure …

___ I don’t think …

___ It’s not possible …

5. The director should be away for about three days.

___ He’ll definitely …

___ I think he’ll …

___ Perhaps he’ll …

6. I’m sure we can get a reservation.

___ We can definitely …

___ We can probably …

___ Maybe we can …

7. We may go on a trip this weekend.

___ I’m sure we’ll …

___ I assume we’ll …

___ It’s possible that we’ll …

8. They’re probably going by car.

___ I know they’re …

___ I think they’re …

___ Perhaps they’re …

9. We probably won’t have the results before the end of the month.

___ I doubt we’ll …

___ I think we’ll …

___ We might not …

10. I’m certain Mr. Schmidt speaks English.

___ He definitely …

___ He probably …

___ It’s possible that he …

11. Mr. Jones must be on vacation this week.

___ I assume he’s …

___ I think he’s …

___ It’s possible that …