Cool MateIt won't be vs It won't happen
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
It won't be
Top 2,000 (common)
It won't happen
Top 2,000 (common)
| It won't be | It won't happen | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪt wəʊnt biː//🇺🇸 //ɪt woʊnt bi// | 🇬🇧 //ɪt wəʊnt ˈhæpən//🇺🇸 //ɪt woʊnt ˈhæpən// |
| Meaning | It will not be | It will not occur. |
| Example | It won't be easy to finish this project on time. | Many people were hopeful, but it won't happen as planned. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | it won't be long, it won't be easy, it won't be fun | say it won't happen, believe it won't happen, know it won't happen |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'It's not going to be', Incorrectly used in affirmative sentences, Overly formal in casual conversations | Misusing tense by saying 'It didn't happen' in anticipation contexts., Using 'won't' in overly formal situations., Omitting 'it' when referring to a specific event, e.g., saying just 'won't happen'. |
| Usage notes | Use in predictions or to express certainty about something not happening. Suitable for both formal and informal contexts. | Use this phrase to express certainty that something will not take place. Suitable for neutral conversations but avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: It won't be vs It won't happen
What's the difference between It won't be and It won't happen?
It won't be: It will not be It won't happen: It will not occur.
Can you show an example of each?
It won't be: It won't be easy to finish this project on time. It won't happen: Many people were hopeful, but it won't happen as planned.
Can I use It won't be and It won't happen interchangeably?
Not always. It won't be and It won't happen are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.