Wont vs Won’t: When And How Can You Use Each One?

Do you ever find yourself wondering whether to use “wont” or “won’t” in your writing? It’s a common dilemma that many people face, but fear not! We’re here to help clear up any confusion and provide you with a better understanding of when to use each word.

We should address the proper word to use. While “wont” and “won’t” may sound similar, they have different meanings and functions. “Wont” is an adjective that means accustomed or used to, while “won’t” is a contraction of “will not.”

So, when should you use each word? If you’re trying to convey that someone is accustomed to doing something, such as “He is wont to take long walks in the park,” then “wont” is the correct choice. On the other hand, if you’re expressing that someone will not do something, such as “I won’t be attending the party,” then “won’t” is the way to go.

Now that we’ve clarified the difference between the two words, let’s dive deeper into their usage and explore some common mistakes people make when using them.

Define Wont

Wont is a noun that refers to a person’s habitual behavior or characteristic. It is often used in phrases like “it is his wont to wake up early” or “she has a wont for punctuality.” In essence, it describes a person’s usual or customary behavior.

Define Won’t

Won’t is a contraction of two words: “will” and “not.” It is used to indicate that someone is unwilling or unable to do something. For example, “I won’t eat sushi because I am allergic to seafood” or “he won’t go to the party because he has other plans.” Essentially, it is a negative contraction used to express a lack of willingness or ability to perform an action.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Understanding the proper usage of words in a sentence is essential to effective communication. Among the words that often cause confusion are “wont” and “won’t.” These two words may seem similar, but they have different meanings and uses. In this section, we will discuss how to use “wont” and “won’t” in a sentence.

How To Use “Wont” In A Sentence

“Wont” is an adjective that means accustomed or used to. It is often used to describe a habitual or customary behavior or action. Here are some examples of how to use “wont” in a sentence:

• She is wont to arrive early for meetings.
• He is not wont to share his personal life with others.
• The cat is wont to sleep on the windowsill in the afternoon.

As you can see from the examples, “wont” is used to describe a characteristic or behavior that is habitual or customary. It is often followed by the preposition “to” and a verb.

How To Use “Won’t” In A Sentence

“Won’t” is a contraction of “will not.” It is used to indicate a refusal or unwillingness to do something. Here are some examples of how to use “won’t” in a sentence:

• I won’t eat sushi because I don’t like raw fish.
• He won’t apologize for his behavior, even though it was inappropriate.
• We won’t be able to attend the party because we have a prior engagement.

As you can see from the examples, “won’t” is used to express a negative response or refusal to do something. It is often followed by a verb.

By understanding the proper usage of “wont” and “won’t,” you can avoid confusion and communicate more effectively in your writing and speech.

More Examples Of Wont & Won’t Used In Sentences

In order to better understand the difference between ‘wont’ and ‘won’t’, let’s take a look at some more examples of how they are used in sentences:

Examples Of Using ‘Wont’ In A Sentence:

• She is wont to sing in the shower every morning.
• He is not wont to take risks when it comes to investing.
• My cat is wont to scratch the furniture when she’s bored.
• She is wont to interrupt others when they are speaking.
• He is wont to work late into the night to finish projects on time.
• The old man was wont to sit on his porch and watch the world go by.
• She is wont to wear bright colors to express her personality.
• He is wont to forget important dates like birthdays and anniversaries.
• My dog is wont to bark at strangers who come to the door.
• She is wont to eat ice cream when she’s feeling sad.

Examples Of Using ‘Won’t’ In A Sentence:

• I won’t be able to attend the meeting tomorrow.
• He won’t eat anything green, no matter how much I try to convince him.
• She won’t let me borrow her car, even though I have a valid license.
• They won’t be able to finish the project on time without additional help.
• He won’t apologize for his rude behavior, no matter how many times I ask him to.
• She won’t wear high heels because they hurt her feet.
• He won’t listen to reason when he’s angry.
• The restaurant won’t accept reservations after 8pm.
• She won’t stop talking about her new boyfriend.
• He won’t be able to make it to the party because he has to work late.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Using “wont” and “won’t” interchangeably is a common mistake that many people make. However, it is important to understand the difference between these two words in order to communicate effectively and avoid confusion.

Incorrect Usage Of Wont And Won’t

One common mistake is using “wont” instead of “won’t” to indicate a negative contraction. For example, saying “I wont be able to attend the meeting” instead of “I won’t be able to attend the meeting” is incorrect.

Another mistake is using “won’t” instead of “wont” to indicate a habitual behavior or tendency. For example, saying “He won’t eat vegetables” instead of “He is not wont to eat vegetables” is incorrect.

Why These Mistakes Are Incorrect

The word “won’t” is a contraction of “will not” and is used to indicate a negative future action or refusal. On the other hand, “wont” is a noun that means a habitual behavior or tendency.

Using “wont” instead of “won’t” can cause confusion and miscommunication. It can also make the speaker appear uneducated or careless in their language use. Similarly, using “won’t” instead of “wont” can change the meaning of the sentence and lead to confusion.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

• Remember that “won’t” is a contraction of “will not” and is used to indicate a negative future action or refusal.
• Use “wont” to indicate a habitual behavior or tendency.
• Proofread your writing carefully to ensure that you are using the correct word.
• Practice using these words correctly in your speech and writing to develop good language habits.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “wont” and “won’t,” context is key. Both words are contractions of “will not,” but they are not always interchangeable. The context in which they are used can impact which one is the correct choice.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “wont” and “won’t” might change:

Context	Correct Choice	Explanation
Informal Writing	won’t	In informal writing, “won’t” is the more commonly used contraction of “will not.”
Formal Writing	won’t	Even in formal writing, “won’t” is generally acceptable, although it may be considered more informal than using the full phrase “will not.”
Historical Texts	wont	In historical texts or literature, “wont” may be used as an archaic or poetic form of “will not.”
British English	wont	In British English, “wont” is more commonly used than “won’t” as a contraction of “will not.”

As you can see, the choice between “wont” and “won’t” can depend on the context in which they are used. It’s important to consider the tone and style of your writing, as well as any historical or regional influences that may impact which one is the correct choice.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using “wont” and “won’t” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where these rules might not apply. Here are some of the most common exceptions:

1. Colloquialisms And Slang

Colloquialisms and slang often ignore the rules of grammar and spelling, and the use of “wont” and “won’t” is no exception. In some cases, “wont” may be used instead of “won’t” in certain dialects or regions.

Example: “I wont be able to make it to the party tonight.”

2. Contractions In Formal Writing

While contractions are generally discouraged in formal writing, they may be used in some cases for stylistic purposes. In these cases, the contraction “won’t” may be preferred over the more formal “will not.”

Example: “I won’t be attending the conference due to scheduling conflicts.”

3. Use Of “Wont” As A Noun

While “wont” is most commonly used as an adjective, it can also be used as a noun to refer to a person’s habits or tendencies.

Example: “It was his wont to stay up late reading.”

4. Use Of “Wont” In Legal Terminology

In legal terminology, “wont” is sometimes used to refer to a right or custom that is established by long-standing practice.

Example: “The plaintiff has a wont to access the property through the disputed easement.”

Overall, while the rules for using “wont” and “won’t” are generally straightforward, it is important to be aware of these exceptions in order to use these words correctly in all contexts.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of wont and won’t is to practice using them in sentences. Here are some exercises to help you do just that:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (wont or won’t) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:

1. I ___________ be able to attend the meeting tomorrow.
2. He is ___________ to eating sushi.
3. She ___________ stop talking about her vacation.
4. We ___________ give up on our dreams.
5. They ___________ be able to finish the project on time.

Answer Key:

1. won’t
2. wont
3. won’t
4. won’t
5. won’t

Explanation: In sentence 1, “won’t” is the correct word because it means “will not.” In sentence 2, “wont” is the correct word because it means “accustomed to.” In sentence 3, “won’t” is the correct word because it means “will not.” In sentence 4, “won’t” is the correct word because it means “will not.” In sentence 5, “won’t” is the correct word because it means “will not.”

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite each sentence below using either “wont” or “won’t” to make it grammatically correct:

1. I am use to staying up late, but I will not be able to do it tonight.
2. He is not use to driving in the snow, but he will not let that stop him.
3. She is always talking about her job, but she is use to it.
4. We are not going to give up on our dreams, even if it is difficult.
5. They are not going to be able to finish the project on time, but they are use to working under pressure.

Answer Key:

1. I am wont to staying up late, but I won’t be able to do it tonight.
2. He is not wont to driving in the snow, but he won’t let that stop him.
3. She is always talking about her job, but she is wont to it.
4. We won’t give up on our dreams, even if it is difficult.
5. They won’t be able to finish the project on time, but they are wont to working under pressure.

Explanation: In each sentence, the incorrect word (“use to” or “not going to”) is replaced with the correct word (“wont” or “won’t”), making the sentence grammatically correct.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “wont” and “won’t,” it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. Remember that “wont” refers to a habitual behavior or custom, while “won’t” is a contraction of “will not.”

When writing, it is important to pay close attention to word choice and to use the correct word in the appropriate context. By doing so, you can avoid confusing your readers and ensure that your writing is clear and concise.

Key Takeaways

• “Wont” refers to a habitual behavior or custom.
• “Won’t” is a contraction of “will not.”
• Using the correct word in the appropriate context is crucial for clear and concise writing.

By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, you can improve your writing skills and effectively communicate your ideas to others. Whether you are a student, a professional, or simply someone who enjoys writing, taking the time to study grammar and usage is always a worthwhile pursuit.