Will not vs. would not usage

[yo4561]

Hi MP,

I am a bit confused on knowing when to use "would not" vs. "will not".

What is the difference between "Tim said he would not eat the cupcakes" vs. "Tim said he will not eat the cupcakes." Is the second incorrect because you cannot pair "said" which is past tense and "will not" with future? Can "will not" only be paired with "says"?

I am confused on how will not has to change into would not in the indirect-speech transformation of past direct speech.

Many thanks

[TiffanyB]

Hello yo4561,

This is a great question!

Will is the future tense of the present, whereas would is the future tense of the past.

For example:

Last week, Tim said that he would retire soon.

I will go to the store today after I finish mowing the lawn. I

In the examples that you provided, the first is correct and the second is not:

Tim said that he would not eat the cupcakes. --> Correct

Time said that he will not eat the cupcakes. --> Incorrect

*Note that in the examples above, I've added "that" as the verb said needs it in this case.

Finally, "would" could also serve as a hypothetical, as in "That would be an amazing concert to attend!"