Why using "would", not "will"
Why it is "You wouldn't go the the police really, would you?", not "You won't go to the police really, will you?"
Any difference between the meaning of the above sentences? I'm confused.
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Answers · 5
2
If you know the difference in usage between the first and second conditionals, then this difference is illustrated in your sentences.
The first one is a hypothetical situation
e.g. If you saw me steal a chocolate bar, you wouldn't go to the police, would you? (2nd cond'l)
The second is a real situation
e.g. I admit that I stole a chocolate bar, but you won't go to the police, will you? (1st cond'l)
2
There *is* a difference. The conditional (would) sounds more "pleading" or "requesting"; it's more hypothetical, and it's also a more humble form. "Will" sounds more direct.
For an image, if you think of a gangster holding a gun to your head, he would say "You won't *really* go to the police, will you?" because it implies that he is *telling you* not to go to the police, even though he sounds as though he's *asking* you.
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