July 10, 2025 • 8 mins
I’m sure you won’t forget this lesson. Even though my usual recording software won’t work with my new microphone, I won’t give up brining this to. I know you like to study here, so I won’t disappoint you!
Today, we’re going to talk about a small word that packs a lot of meaning—“won’t.” That’s W-O-N-apostrophe-T. It’s short for “will not,” but depending on the context, it can mean a lot more than just “not in the future.”
Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript
Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/
Today, we’re going to talk about a small word that packs a lot of meaning—“won’t.” That’s W-O-N-apostrophe-T. It’s short for “will not,” but depending on the context, it can mean a lot more than just “not in the future.”
Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript
Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I'm sure you won't forget this lesson. Even though my
usual recording software won't work with my new microphone. I
won't give up bringing this to you. I know you
like to study here, so I won't disappoint you.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Welcome to another Happy English podcast, coming to you from
New York City. And here's your English teacher, Michael.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
All right, thank you, John, and thanks everyone. It's Michael
here from Happy English and I help people speak English better.
And this is Happy English Podcast, Episode eight forty three.
What does won't really mean? Hello, and welcome, thanks for
(00:54):
joining me for another episode of the Happy English Podcast.
I'm your English teacher, Mine Michael, and I'm so glad
you're listening. Today. We're gonna talk about a small word
that packs a lot of meaning. Won't. That's wo n
apostrophe t. It's short for will not, but depending on
(01:21):
the context, it can mean a lot more than just
not in the future. And as you've probably heard me
say before once or twice, context is king. So let's
break this down together. Okay. First up, we use won't
(01:44):
when we talk about a personal decision. Let's say I
tell you I'm going shopping tomorrow, but I won't go
to Simon's mall, I won't go there. That means it's
my choice. I've made up my mind. I've decided not
(02:04):
to go to that mall, So here won't choose my
personal will or decision. It's kind of like saying I
choose not to. Here's another example. Last night, I went
to this tie restaurant. I was thinking about getting the
green curry, which I love, but they had something on
(02:28):
the menu called red curry, so I tried it and
it was so spicy that well, let me just say
I won't be ordering that again. I won't. That's my
personal decision about red curry. And that's one common way
(02:49):
we use won't. Next we use won't when we talk
about a prediction. You might hear something like I was
watching TV and the forecast said it won't rain tomorrow.
It won't rain tomorrow. Now, this use of won't has
(03:10):
nothing to do with choice or will. It's a neutral prediction,
something we expect to happen or expect not to happen.
It's kind of like saying it's not going to rain.
There's no emotion in it, just a simple statement about
a prediction in the future. Like at the end of
(03:31):
the day. Yesterday, Jack was sneezing and coughing. It seems
like he was coming down with a cold, so I
guess he won't be coming to work today. Next up,
we're gonna dive deep into the human psyche. What I
mean is we use won't as a moral conviction in
(03:57):
this context. When you say you won't do something, it's
because morally, deep down inside, you don't believe it's the
right thing to do. Here's a real life example. When
Jack tried to kiss his neighbor at a party. She
(04:17):
refused and said, I like you, but I won't cheat
on my husband. WHOA. That's not just a regular no, right,
that's a strong refusal based on her values. She's not
saying I don't feel like it. She's saying that's against
(04:41):
what I believe in. I won't do that. So this
won't is full of principle and conviction. Let's talk about marijuana.
It's legal in New York for recreational purposes, but I
won't smoke it. I don't think it's the right thing
to do, especially if I need to drive somewhere. And
(05:06):
here's another one. We use won't when we refer to
stubbornness or resistance. Like I put my dog out in
the backyard, but he won't come inside, he's so stubborn.
And then I asked one of my friends to help
(05:27):
me clean out my garage, but he won't help me,
even though I promised him some pizza and a few beers.
In this case, won't show's refusal to cooperate. And in
a similar way, we use won't when we talk about
machines or mechanical devices that don't work as we want
(05:52):
them to. Like, even though I put the key in
the lock, the door won't open. I have to a locksmith.
The door won't open. And for some reason, the printer
won't print in color. And I even change the toner,
but it won't print in color. You've probably said something
(06:16):
like that right on a cold winter morning, the car
won't start. It's not about the future. It's about something
or someone being difficult or just not doing what you want.
So what's the takeaway? Won't can sound simple, but it
(06:36):
has layers. Sometimes won't means I decided not to, Like
I won't go to the mall. It probably won't happen,
Like it won't rain tomorrow. I morally refuse, I won't
smoke that, and this thing is just being difficult. The
(06:59):
printer won't work. Those are the different ways we use won't.
Keep in mind, the best way to remember English, like
this or any other word or phrase in English, is
to take that word or phrase, write it in a
sentence that's true for you or true in your world,
and then memorize your sentences. Do you want to get
(07:23):
more practice using your English, then you should join my
podcast Learner's study Group. There you can make new friends,
join us for live group lessons every week where we
practice these podcasts lessons together. Plus you get access to
the pdf, transcript and audio download for every Happy English
(07:46):
podcast in the past and in the future. And on
top of that, each episode has exercises where you can
practice this English point with speaking and writing checked by me.
To learn more, just visit my Happy English dot com
and choose podcast lesson eight forty three. Remember learning another
(08:10):
language is not easy, but it's not impossible, and I'm
here to help you on your journey.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
This podcast is brought to you by Happy English. Please
visit Myhappy English dot com show your support for Happy
English by leaving us a review. Get English, Get Happy
happy English,
I'm sure you won't forget this lesson. Even though my
usual recording software won't work with my new microphone. I
won't give up bringing this to you. I know you
like to study here, so I won't disappoint you.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Welcome to another Happy English podcast, coming to you from
New York City. And here's your English teacher, Michael.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
All right, thank you, John, and thanks everyone. It's Michael
here from Happy English and I help people speak English better.
And this is Happy English Podcast, Episode eight forty three.
What does won't really mean? Hello, and welcome, thanks for
(00:54):
joining me for another episode of the Happy English Podcast.
I'm your English teacher, Mine Michael, and I'm so glad
you're listening. Today. We're gonna talk about a small word
that packs a lot of meaning. Won't. That's wo n
apostrophe t. It's short for will not, but depending on
(01:21):
the context, it can mean a lot more than just
not in the future. And as you've probably heard me
say before once or twice, context is king. So let's
break this down together. Okay. First up, we use won't
(01:44):
when we talk about a personal decision. Let's say I
tell you I'm going shopping tomorrow, but I won't go
to Simon's mall, I won't go there. That means it's
my choice. I've made up my mind. I've decided not
(02:04):
to go to that mall, So here won't choose my
personal will or decision. It's kind of like saying I
choose not to. Here's another example. Last night, I went
to this tie restaurant. I was thinking about getting the
green curry, which I love, but they had something on
(02:28):
the menu called red curry, so I tried it and
it was so spicy that well, let me just say
I won't be ordering that again. I won't. That's my
personal decision about red curry. And that's one common way
(02:49):
we use won't. Next we use won't when we talk
about a prediction. You might hear something like I was
watching TV and the forecast said it won't rain tomorrow.
It won't rain tomorrow. Now, this use of won't has
(03:10):
nothing to do with choice or will. It's a neutral prediction,
something we expect to happen or expect not to happen.
It's kind of like saying it's not going to rain.
There's no emotion in it, just a simple statement about
a prediction in the future. Like at the end of
(03:31):
the day. Yesterday, Jack was sneezing and coughing. It seems
like he was coming down with a cold, so I
guess he won't be coming to work today. Next up,
we're gonna dive deep into the human psyche. What I
mean is we use won't as a moral conviction in
(03:57):
this context. When you say you won't do something, it's
because morally, deep down inside, you don't believe it's the
right thing to do. Here's a real life example. When
Jack tried to kiss his neighbor at a party. She
(04:17):
refused and said, I like you, but I won't cheat
on my husband. WHOA. That's not just a regular no, right,
that's a strong refusal based on her values. She's not
saying I don't feel like it. She's saying that's against
(04:41):
what I believe in. I won't do that. So this
won't is full of principle and conviction. Let's talk about marijuana.
It's legal in New York for recreational purposes, but I
won't smoke it. I don't think it's the right thing
to do, especially if I need to drive somewhere. And
(05:06):
here's another one. We use won't when we refer to
stubbornness or resistance. Like I put my dog out in
the backyard, but he won't come inside, he's so stubborn.
And then I asked one of my friends to help
(05:27):
me clean out my garage, but he won't help me,
even though I promised him some pizza and a few beers.
In this case, won't show's refusal to cooperate. And in
a similar way, we use won't when we talk about
machines or mechanical devices that don't work as we want
(05:52):
them to. Like, even though I put the key in
the lock, the door won't open. I have to a locksmith.
The door won't open. And for some reason, the printer
won't print in color. And I even change the toner,
but it won't print in color. You've probably said something
(06:16):
like that right on a cold winter morning, the car
won't start. It's not about the future. It's about something
or someone being difficult or just not doing what you want.
So what's the takeaway? Won't can sound simple, but it
(06:36):
has layers. Sometimes won't means I decided not to, Like
I won't go to the mall. It probably won't happen,
Like it won't rain tomorrow. I morally refuse, I won't
smoke that, and this thing is just being difficult. The
(06:59):
printer won't work. Those are the different ways we use won't.
Keep in mind, the best way to remember English, like
this or any other word or phrase in English, is
to take that word or phrase, write it in a
sentence that's true for you or true in your world,
and then memorize your sentences. Do you want to get
(07:23):
more practice using your English, then you should join my
podcast Learner's study Group. There you can make new friends,
join us for live group lessons every week where we
practice these podcasts lessons together. Plus you get access to
the pdf, transcript and audio download for every Happy English
(07:46):
podcast in the past and in the future. And on
top of that, each episode has exercises where you can
practice this English point with speaking and writing checked by me.
To learn more, just visit my Happy English dot com
and choose podcast lesson eight forty three. Remember learning another
(08:10):
language is not easy, but it's not impossible, and I'm
here to help you on your journey.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
This podcast is brought to you by Happy English. Please
visit Myhappy English dot com show your support for Happy
English by leaving us a review. Get English, Get Happy
happy English,
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