What's the difference between should and will?

Should


Definition:

  • (imp.) of Shall
  • (imp.) Used as an auxiliary verb, to express a conditional or contingent act or state, or as a supposition of an actual fact; also, to express moral obligation (see Shall); e. g.: they should have come last week; if I should go; I should think you could go.

Example Sentences:

Will


Definition:

  • (v.) The choice which is made; a determination or preference which results from the act or exercise of the power of choice; a volition.
  • (v.) The power of choosing; the faculty or endowment of the soul by which it is capable of choosing; the faculty or power of the mind by which we decide to do or not to do; the power or faculty of preferring or selecting one of two or more objects.
  • (v.) The choice or determination of one who has authority; a decree; a command; discretionary pleasure.
  • (v.) Strong wish or inclination; desire; purpose.
  • (v.) That which is strongly wished or desired.
  • (v.) Arbitrary disposal; power to control, dispose, or determine.
  • (v.) The legal declaration of a person's mind as to the manner in which he would have his property or estate disposed of after his death; the written instrument, legally executed, by which a man makes disposition of his estate, to take effect after his death; testament; devise. See the Note under Testament, 1.
  • (adv.) To wish; to desire; to incline to have.
  • (adv.) As an auxiliary, will is used to denote futurity dependent on the verb. Thus, in first person, "I will" denotes willingness, consent, promise; and when "will" is emphasized, it denotes determination or fixed purpose; as, I will go if you wish; I will go at all hazards. In the second and third persons, the idea of distinct volition, wish, or purpose is evanescent, and simple certainty is appropriately expressed; as, "You will go," or "He will go," describes a future event as a fact only. To emphasize will denotes (according to the tone or context) certain futurity or fixed determination.
  • (v. i.) To be willing; to be inclined or disposed; to be pleased; to wish; to desire.
  • (n.) To form a distinct volition of; to determine by an act of choice; to ordain; to decree.
  • (n.) To enjoin or command, as that which is determined by an act of volition; to direct; to order.
  • (n.) To give or direct the disposal of by testament; to bequeath; to devise; as, to will one's estate to a child; also, to order or direct by testament; as, he willed that his nephew should have his watch.
  • (v. i.) To exercise an act of volition; to choose; to decide; to determine; to decree.

Example Sentences: