🤔 “She wouldn’t listen” vs. “She wouldn’t have listened” – what’s the difference? Let’s find out!

Buy me a cup of coffee! ☕If you found my materials useful and you’d like to support me, buy me a cup of coffee here: ko-fi.com/sipofenglish

Warm-up

Read the sentences below and match them with the correct pictures and rules.

Even when his friends called him over, he would not stop playing with his toy car.

He would have made new friends if he had joined the other kids.

a) hypothetical situation in the past

b) unwillingness in the past

picture A

picture B

Theory part 1

Exercise 1

Choose the correct option.

He wouldn't share his toys with his siblings. a) unwillingness in the past b) hypothetical situation in the past

If I had known about the meeting, I would have attended. a) unwillingness in the past b) hypothetical situation in the past

She would have helped you if she had been there. a) unwillingness in the past b) hypothetical situation in the past

When they were younger, they wouldn't go to bed on time. a) unwillingness in the past b) hypothetical situation in the past

I would have finished the project but I didn’t have enough time. a) unwillingness in the past b) hypothetical situation in the past

The dog wouldn't come inside when it was called. a) unwillingness in the past b) hypothetical situation in the past

Answer key

1a 2b 3b 4a 5b 6a

Exercise 2

Fill in the gaps with the correct phrase.

She invited him to the party, but he ... (come).

If I had known about the sale, I ... (buy) more clothes.

They tried to fix the computer, but it ... (work).

If we had left earlier, we ... (arrive) on time.

If she had studied more, she ... (pass) the exam.

He ... (apologize) even though he knew he was wrong.

I asked him several times, but he ... (help) me.

If they had been informed, they ... (attend) the meeting.

The dog ... (stop) barking no matter what we did.

If it had been sunny, we ... (go) to the beach.

Answer key

1 wouldn’t come 2 would have bought 3 wouldn't work 4 would have arrived 5 would have passed 6 wouldn't apologize 7 wouldn't help 8 would have attended 9 wouldn't stop 10 would have gone

Exercise 3

Correct the mistakes. All sentences are about the past.

If I had known about the meeting, I wouldn't attended.

She wouldn't have apologised even though she knew was wrong.

They would have coming to the party, but they don't have the address.

When he was younger, he would have never listen to his parents.

If we had had more time, we would finished the project.

He wouldn't took the medicine even though the doctor prescribed it.

If she had studied harder, she would have pass the test.

I tried to explain, but he would have listened.

Answer key

1 would have attended 2 wouldn’t apologise 3 would have come 4 would never listen 5 would have finished 6 wouldn’t take 7 would have passed 8 would not

Exercise 4

Tell me about….

Tell me about a food you wouldn't eat as a kid.

Tell me about a trip you would have taken last summer if you had had more vacation days.

Tell me about a time when your pet/child wouldn't listen to you, even though you tried everything.

Tell me about a toy your pet/child wouldn't play with, no matter how many times you suggested it.

Tell me about a course you would have taken if you had had more free time last year.

Tell me about a time your parents wouldn't listen to you because they thought they knew better.

Tell me about a family member who would have visited you if they had been able to take time off work.

Tell me about a time your parents wouldn't let you go out because they were worried about your safety.