will (offer)

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Klavier

#181806 Wed, 11 Jan 06 10:23 PM

Hello.
I have came across two uses of will that seems interchangeable: willingness to do something (offer) and a decision made at the moment of speaking, so
Do you consider these sentences as an offer or as a decision made at the moment of speaking?

A: The phone is ringing.
B: I'll get it.

A: This bag is heavy.
B: I'll carry it for you.

Klavier

Joined on Thu, Sep 23 2004

Chile

Full Member (362)

"If I have seen further, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants" Isaac Newton

Sextus

#181807 Wed, 11 Jan 06 10:24 PM

If I may give my opinion, I think that both examples are correct.

Sextus

Joined on Sat, Nov 6 2004

Buenos Aires

Regular Member (731)

CalifJim

#181882 Thu, 12 Jan 06 02:58 AM

You are absolutely correct. Both examples show how the ideas of offering (expressing willingness) and of deciding spontaneously to make the offer coalesce into a single kind of usage of "will".
On the other hand, sometimes we say (spontaneously) "I'll do it" not out of willingness or out of a desire to offer our services, but rather out of frustration in a situation where no one seems able to decide how 'it' is going to get done! Then, it's like "I'll do it, (or it won't get done)"!

CJ

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (17,568)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

davkett

#181883 Thu, 12 Jan 06 03:02 AM

Latin, I have a feeling that these two examples are not getting at the difference between the two uses that interest you here. Both of your examples relate more to making an offer; (of course, one must first decide to make such an offer). It seems, however, when using will in the sense of 'a decision made at the moment' (I don't quite know where you found that particular definition), it may be referring to 'willing something to happen'. That is to say, by the force of one's determination, (the power of the will), an action is to be accomplished.

davkett

Joined on Tue, Jun 7 2005

Pennsylvania, USA

Senior Member (2,788)

"The rose stays fresh in its name..." -Bernard of Morlay

Difference between

Sextus

#181921 Thu, 12 Jan 06 06:00 AM

Davkett wrote:

It seems, however, when using will in the sense of 'a decision made at the moment' (I don't quite know where you found that particular definition), it may be referring to 'willing something to happen'.

When I formally studied English, I read and was told that this use of "will" is identified as "instant decision", in contrast to a decision one has already made. In this case one should employ "going to".

Sextus

Klavier

#182097 Thu, 12 Jan 06 03:22 PM

Davkett wrote:

Latin, I have a feeling that these two examples are not getting at the difference between the two uses that interest you here.

Yes, maybe the examples overlap each other. Now, do you think these make it more clear this subject?

I'll lend you some money. (offer, not decision)

These trousers are perfect. I'll take them. (decision)

Klavier

Difference between

davkett

#182124 Thu, 12 Jan 06 04:16 PM

OK. I think, from these new examples, that I understand your point better. One is propositional, the other decisive. I wonder if this sort of difference is as much in the inflection of the voice as it might be in the larger context of the sentence.

Example:

I will lend you some money.
I will lend you some money.

davkett

Inflections