Hello from English with Janet!
Students in our 1-to-1 English-speaking course often ask us, “What’s the difference between will and would?” “When to use shall and should?”
These questions make sense because “will” , “would” , “shall” , and “should” are some of the most confusing verbs in English. All four are modal verbs, and we use them to discuss things such as suggestion, obligation, possibility, and permission.
It’s quite common for English as a second language learners to get confused between these words as they’re often used in very similar situations. That said, there’s a fine line between correct and incorrect usage.
This guide shares a cheat sheet to help you master will, would, shall and should. By the time you finish reading this post, you will (or is it would???) have a clear idea of when to use which (Pun intended!)
“Will” is often used to discuss future events or actions you believe will happen. We use will to express our predictions of what will happen in the future. Here are a few examples:
Besides predicting what will happen in the future, you can also use will to make an offer or promise, express determination or willingness and give commands. Here are a few examples to help you understand it better:
We use “would” when we want to discuss imaginary or hypothetical situations. It can also be used to express a possibility or condition. The main difference between “will” and “would” is that the former describes events that are most certain to happen, while the latter is used for events that are not certain.
Remember, use “will” when something will most definitely happen and “would” to describe situations that are not likely to happen.
Here are a few examples using “would” :
“Would” is also used to express suggestions or make requests in polite situations. For example,
| Will | Would |
| To talk about events that are likely to happen | To discuss hypothetical situations, to express politeness, and to offer suggestions. |
| “Will” is always used in the present tense. | “Would” takes the past tense. |
| Ex: I will help you study for the exam. (Promise) | Ex: If I had more time, I would have prepared for the exam better. (Hypothetical) |
| Ex: As per the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow. (Likely event) | Ex: If it rained tomorrow, we would not have school. (Imaginary situation) |
| Ex: You will come to school tomorrow. (Command) | Ex: Would you like to go on a date with me? (Polite request) |
Use “shall” when discussing the future, making offers, or asking for advice. Additionally, you can also use it to discuss obligations or formal statements. Here are a few examples:
Besides these expressions, you can also use “shall” for emphasis, determination, or to express a threat or promise.
Use “should” to make recommendations, offer advice, and express obligations or duties. Generally, we use “should” to discuss what is preferred or expected. It’s often used to suggest a course of action or express opinions. Here are a few examples:
| Shall | Should |
| “Shall” is primarily used to express an intention or promise. | “Should” expresses a suggestion, advice, or recommendation. |
| It is primarily used in the future tense. | While it is used in the future tense, it also works for past obligations. |
| It is common in formal or legal language. | Should is more common in everyday speech and writing. |
| Ex: I shall meet you after work. (Future tense) | Ex: You should go on holiday to take a break from work. (Recommendation) |
| Ex: The judge ruled that the criminal shall be sentenced to three months in prison. (Command) | Ex: The report should be completed by the end of this week. (Expectation) |
| Ex: The tenant shall be responsible for any damage to the property. (Obligation) | Ex: He should have called me by now. (Past Obligation) |
Modal verbs (auxiliary verbs) like “will, would, shall and should” can be confusing, especially when used in daily conversations. The easiest way to learn to speak English fluently is to sign up for one of our conversational English fluency lessons. With one-on-one instruction and customized lesson plans, we’ll help you become confident in no time.
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