will vs would

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It is true that once a person is dead, even if he had lots of property in this lifetime, these things will/would not belong to this person any more.

1. Is the sentence OK?
2. Should it be will or would?

Thank you.

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Wrong use of 'lifetime'. Wrong tense of verb.

It is true that once a person is dead, even if he had lots of property in this life, these things do not belong to this person any more.

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@contrex,

Thanks, contrex, for pointing out the errors.

0 Replies

@tanguatlay,

Tang, 'lots of property' could refer to real estate: Wot, is a 'lot' not a plot

Once he's dead, the owner's property is no longer his 'belongings'

Dying deprives the owner of his belongings, including property

His property after his death can no longer properly be called his 'belongings'

1 Reply

@dalehileman,

The property owner after his death loses all belongings, including property

0 Replies

@tanguatlay,

tanguatlay wrote:

2. Should it be will or would?

The real question.

Use 'does' for a present continuing situation:

Once a person is dead (present tense, continuing state), his property does (present tense) not belong to him any more.

Use definite 'will' for a definite future situation that is certain to happen:

When he dies (present tense), (because e.g. he is old, he is terminally ill, in fact we all die) his property will (future tense) not belong to him any more.

Use definite 'will' for a hypothetical near-future situation:

If he dies (present tense), (because e.g. he is very sick or badly hurt now but might recover) his property will (future tense) not belong to him any more.

Use conditional 'would' for an entirely hypothetical situation:

If he died (the 'unreal past' tense), (because e.g. we are discussing a legal situation) his property would (conditional) not belong to him any more.

1 Reply

@contrex,

Use present tense for a present continuing situation:

Once a secret is revealed, it is not a secret any more.

Use definite 'will' for a definite future situation that is certain to happen:

When the secret is revealed (e.g. I plan to reveal it tonight), it will not be a secret any more.

Use definite 'will' for a hypothetical possible future situation:

If the secret is revealed, it will not be a secret any more.

Use conditional 'would' for an entirely hypothetical situation:

If the secret was revealed, it would not be a secret any more.

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@contrex,

Thanks, contrex, for your detailed replies.

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@contrex,

Use conditional 'would' for an entirely hypothetical situation:

Using old fashioned condtional subjunctive:

If the secret were revealed, it would not be a secret any more.

1 Reply

@contrex,

contrex wrote:

Use conditional 'would' for an entirely hypothetical situation:

Using old fashioned condtional subjunctive:

If the secret were revealed, it would not be a secret any more.

Thanks, contrex.

In written form, should I use was or were?

1 Reply

@tanguatlay,

tanguatlay wrote:

In written form, should I use was or were?

In very formal hypercorrect English, use the subjunctive 'were', otherwise you can use 'was'.

1 Reply

@contrex,

contrex wrote:

tanguatlay wrote:
In written form, should I use was or were?

In very formal hypercorrect English, use the subjunctive 'were', otherwise you can use 'was'.

I think 'hypercorrect' is the wrong word to use here, and it can be omitted. I apologise for the misleading error. Some uses of the hypothetical subjunctive form can be considered hypercorrect e.g. Johnny asked me if I were afraid, but the example above is not.

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will vs would

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