past would
wəd,
(ə)d,
ˈwu̇d
; present singular and plural will
1
—used to express futurity
tomorrow morning I will wake up in this first-class hotel suite—Tennessee Williams
2
—used to express desire, choice, willingness, consent, or in negative constructions refusal
no one would take the job
if we will all do our best
will you please stop that racket
3
—used to express a command, exhortation, or injunction
you will do as I say, at once
4
—used to express frequent, customary, or habitual action or natural tendency or disposition
will get angry over nothing
will work one day and loaf the next
5
—used to express probability and often equivalent to the simple verb
that will be the babysitter
6
a
—used to express inevitability
accidents will happen
b
—used to express determination, insistence, persistence, or willfulness
I have made up my mind to go and go I will
7
—used to express capability or sufficiency
the back seat will hold three passengers
: to have a wish or desire
whether we will or no
Shall vs. Will: Usage Guide
From the reams of pronouncements written about the distinction between shall and will—dating back as far as the 17th century—it is clear that the rules laid down have never very accurately reflected actual usage. The nationalistic statements of 18th and 19th century British grammarians, who commonly cited the misuses of the Irish, the Scots, and occasionally the Americans, suggest that the traditional rules may have come closest to the usage of southern England. Some modern commentators believe that English usage is still the closest to the traditionally prescribed norms. Most modern commentators allow that will is more common in nearly all uses. The entries for shall and will in this dictionary show current usage.
1
: a legal declaration of a person's wishes regarding the disposal of his or her property or estate after death
especially
: a written instrument legally executed by which a person makes disposition of his or her estate to take effect after death
2
a
: disposition, inclination
where there's a will there's a way
c
4
a
: mental powers manifested as wishing, choosing, desiring, or intending
b
: a disposition to act according to principles or ends
c
: the collective desire of a group
the will of the people
5
: the power of control over one's own actions or emotions
a man of iron will
willed; willing; wills
1
2
a
: to dispose of by or as if by a will : bequeath
willed his entire estate to his son
b
: to order or direct by a will
willed that her property be divided among her children
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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