won't answer
the phone.
The door
won't open
.
Past
Wouldn't can express unwillingness or refusal in the past:
I took the phone back to the shop, but they
wouldn't give
me a replacement.
Try as I might, the door
wouldn't open
.
Quotes:
If cats could talk, they wouldn't. - Nan Porter
I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work. - Thomas Edison
Other modal expressions
BE ABOUT + TO-infinitive
BE BOUND + TO-infinitive
BE DUE + TO-infinitive
BE LIKELY + TO-infinitive / IT IS LIKELY + THAT-clause
BE ON THE EDGE / POINT / VERGE OF (doing) something
BE + TO-infinitive
BE ABOUT + TO-infinitive
Be about + to-infinitive refers to arranged actions that happen in the immediate future. It is often used with just:
Hurry up! The ceremony
is about to begin
!
"Do you have a minute?" "I'm sorry, I'
m just about to leave
."
BE BOUND + TO-infinitive
Be bound + to-infinitive is used to refer to future events which are certain or very likely to happen:
Kevin is stuck in a traffic jam, so he
is bound to be
late.
Quotes:
April is a promise that May is bound to keep. - Hal Borland
BE DUE + TO-infinitive
Be due + to-infinitive is used to refer to fixed events happening at or within a specific time:
The film
is due to start
at 8 pm.
Half of our employees
are due to retire
in five years.
Negotiations
were due to take place
later that week.
BE LIKELY + TO-infinitive / IT IS LIKELY + THAT-clause
Be likely + to-infinitive and it is likely + that-clause are used for future events which are probably going to happen:
Smokers
are
more
likely to develop
lung cancer compared to non-smokers.
It
is likely that
he will win the race.
BE ON THE EDGE / POINT / VERGE OF (doing) something
The expressions be on the edge / point / verge of (doing) something refer to actions that happen in the near future and have a meaning similar to be about to:
She
is on the point of bursting
into tears.
Researchers
are on the verge of a breakthrough
.
BE + TO-infinitive
Be + to-infinitive is used to express:
official arrangements: The Prime Minister is to visit India next month.
official orders: At the end of the course, all students are to take a written exam.
things that should be done: What am I to do?
a possible aim when saying what should be done to reach it: If you are to work here for more than three months, you must have a residence permit.
prohibition (only in the negative): You are not to do that again.
Be + to-infinitive can also be used in the past:
Mr Jones
was to speak
at the meeting.
(it was arranged and he did)
But was/were + to + perfect infinitive means that the arranged event did not actually happen:
Mr Jones
was to have spoken
at the meeting, but he had to cancel because of his illness.
Quotes:
Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. - Marie Curie
Overview of modals
Modal verbs, semi-modal verbs (also called marginal modals) and other modal expressions are listed in alphabetical order on the following pages. For a detailed discussion of each meaning click on the links.
BE ABLE TO
General ability I am not able to help you at the moment.
I will probably be able to get there by nine.
I was able to swim when I was 5.
"Manage to" Although the current was strong, I was able to swim to the other bank.
BE ALLOWED TO
General permission Are we allowed to smoke in this restaurant?
Will journalists be allowed to ask questions?
Permission + action performed Although I was underage, I was allowed to enter the race.
BE BOUND TO
Probability, certainty Kevin is stuck in a traffic jam, so he is bound to be late.
BE DUE TO
Arrangements The film is due to start at 8 pm.
Negotiations were due to take place later that week.
BE GOING TO
Intention Do you think Sam's going to apply for the job?