They said they will come but they didn’t. vs They said they would come but they didn’t.

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. The first phrase uses 'will' to indicate a future action, while the second phrase uses 'would' to indicate a conditional or hypothetical action. The choice between 'will' and 'would' depends on the context and the speaker's intention.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 7387 views

They said they will come but they didn’t.

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate a future action that was not fulfilled.

This phrase is used to express a situation where someone promised to come in the future, but they did not actually come.

Examples:

She said she will call me, but she didn't.
They said they will finish the project by Friday, but they didn't.

Show examples from the web [+]

Maybe different, but they will come back.
I don't know, but they will come.
But they will come after me if I try to help anyone.
You will leave them here and hide yourself in the bunker But they will come to you anyway, they will come to you dead, and they will sit before you just like now.
They will come anyhow, but they will live in slums, favelas and informal settlements.
Not in my lifetime, maybe not even in yours but they will come.
Maybe different, but they will come back.
But they said they don't deliver here.
But they said they had no choice.
I went to the feds but they said they couldn't move on it, not for a few drug deliveries.
I called it, but they said they hadn't seen him in six weeks.
They said they wanted ransom, but they sold me to slavers.
But they said they were questioned by Chief... reminded him about the disappearances...
But they said they'd take him for the night.
I told them you were sleeping, but they said they need it for their report.
I asked them to make copies, but they said they didn't have time.
They will come to gape, but they will stay to shop.
You can keep 'em bottled up, but they will come out, Michael.
I went to ask but they said they didn't know him.
They said they should have it running in an hour, but they've been saying that since yesterday.

Alternatives:

they said they were going to come but they didn’t.
they said they intended to come but they didn’t.
they said they planned to come but they didn’t.
they said they were going to come but they didn’t.

They said they would come but they didn’t.

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate a conditional or hypothetical action that was not fulfilled.

This phrase is used to express a situation where someone promised to come under certain conditions or in a hypothetical scenario, but they did not actually come.

Examples:

He said he would help me with the move, but he didn't show up.
She said she would come to the party if she finished her work on time, but she didn't.

Show examples from the web [+]

They said they would come by the path, so...
They said they would come up with ideas for specific international support.
My family was supposed to be here at 11:00, and they said they would come, but I don't know why they're not here yet.
At the time you said they would come looking for my daughter.
But they would come home and we would save them.
But they said they don't deliver here.
They left Parliament in disbelief, disgusted at not having been heard, and some said that they would come back, but only to cause damage.
But they said they had no choice.
I went to the feds but they said they couldn't move on it, not for a few drug deliveries.
I called it, but they said they hadn't seen him in six weeks.
They said they wanted ransom, but they sold me to slavers.
But they said they were questioned by Chief... reminded him about the disappearances...
But they said they'd take him for the night.
I told them you were sleeping, but they said they need it for their report.
I asked them to make copies, but they said they didn't have time.
I went to ask but they said they didn't know him.
They said they should have it running in an hour, but they've been saying that since yesterday.
They said they'd help me find Dad, but they... they went a different way.
A few couldn't make it but they said they're okay to whatever.
They said they'd pay for the basic cost of the funeral, but they won't do the whole ceremony.

Alternatives:

they said they were going to come but they didn’t.
they said they intended to come but they didn’t.
they said they planned to come but they didn’t.
they said they were going to come but they didn’t.

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They said they will come but they didn’t. vs They said they would come but they didn’t.