what would happen vs what will happen

Both 'what would happen' and 'what will happen' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'What would happen' is used to talk about hypothetical situations or possibilities, while 'what will happen' is used to talk about future events that are likely to occur.

Last updated: April 06, 2024 • 212 views

what would happen

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about hypothetical situations or possibilities.

Use 'what would happen' when discussing what might occur in a hypothetical situation or when considering possibilities that are not certain.

Examples:

What would happen if we ran out of food?
I wonder what would happen if I quit my job.
If you won the lottery, what would happen next?
What would happen if we missed the last train?
I'm curious about what would happen if we changed our strategy.

Show examples from the web [+]

This is what would happen to San Francisco Bay.
We do not know what would happen if they were to escape.
No one could expect what would happen at the audition.
He took out that priest knowing exactly what would happen.
You know what would happen if I was caught.
Just imagine what would happen without a regional agreement!
I told you before we started what would happen.
A few scientists predicted what would happen.
I knew what would happen to those girls.
You did this with no regard for what would happen to our brother.
I was curious what would happen.
About what would happen if she took what wasn't hers.
I'm kind of wondering what would happen to you, actually.
I told you what would happen.
He could not know what would happen here.
Imagine what would happen if you stayed awake in my class.
I warned you what would happen if you didn't follow the rules.
But I never imagined what would happen to the innocent ones.
Of course I always wondered what would happen if he'd kissed the airplane first.
Michaels wanted to see what would happen when Kennedy fought the real Jannetty.

Alternatives:

what could happen
what might happen
what may happen
what is likely to happen
what is expected to happen

what will happen

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about future events that are likely to occur.

Use 'what will happen' when discussing future events that are expected or likely to occur.

Examples:

What will happen if it rains during the picnic?
I'm excited to see what will happen in the next episode.
Do you know what will happen if we miss the deadline?
What will happen if we don't take action now?
I wonder what will happen if we invest in that company.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 05, 2024

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Alternatives:

what is going to happen
what is expected to happen
what is likely to happen
what is anticipated to happen
what is predicted to happen

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