Use of would – Exercise 283

Skip

"Wouldn't" for refusal

We use "won't" and its past form "wouldn't" in the meaning of "do not want", "refuse", "be unwilling" to do something.

Examples

I'm trying to talk to him, but he won't listen. (= he doesn't want to listen)

I was trying to talk to him, but he wouldn't listen. (= he didn't want to listen)

— Why are you angry? — The car won't start. (= it "refuses" to start)

He was angry because his car wouldn't start. (= it "refused" to start)