Meaning
| Forms of the MV
| Ways of rendering into Russian
| Forms of the infinitive
| Kinds of sentences
| Some other ways of expressing the same meaning
| Sentence patterns
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1. Volition (willingness, readiness, consent, intention, determination)
| I / We will (would)
I / We won’t (wouldn’t)
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Indefinite Infinitive
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affirmative
negative
| I intend…
I’m willing…
We wish…
We want…
I’m determined…
| I will tell him about your coming, so he can meet you.
I’ve often spoken at public meetings but this time I won’t
You may come if you will, but you won’t find the meeting amusing.
I said I would take part in the conference.
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2. a) Persistence or refusal to perform an action.
b) Refusal to perform an action with lifeless things
| will (would)
won’t (wouldn’t)
won’t
wouldn’t
will (would)
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| affirmative
negative
| He insists….
She keeps on…
She refuses…
They continue…
| The teacher scolds her for whispering at the lesson, but she will whisper.
I asked him to tell me the truth, but he wouldn’t.
I couldn’t explain anything because the words wouldn’t come.
He tried hard to stop the car, but it would move.
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3. Requests (polite requests, polite invitations and suggestions)
| will
would
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| interrogative
| Could you…
May I ask you to give…?
| Will you pass me the salt?
Would you come to tea this afternoon?
Will you have another cup of tea?
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4. Habitual or recurrent actions
| will (the present tense) (not common)
would (the past tense) (literary style)
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| affirmative
| used to
| That romantic girl will sit staring at the night sky.
He would fish for hours without catching anything.
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Notes
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I. Remember the following set phrases:
1. would rather, would sooner. e.g.: I would rather do it myself. He would sooner diethan do it.
2. Would you mind my staying here? I wouldn’t mind your joining us.
II. Will may express supposition with reference to the present or future in combination with the indefinite infinitive, or to the past in combination with the perfect infinitive. This meaning is found with the 2nd and 3rd persons
e.g.: This will be the school, I believe. You will have heard the news, I’m sure.
III. Notice the use of will in the following sentences:
e.g.: Boys will be boys. Accidents will happen. You will find no greater wisdom than kindness.
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