With animate subjects, won’t implies deliberate, obstinate unwillingness despite requests, as in he won’t apologise, no matter how many times I ask. With inanimate subjects, it personifies a machine’s persistent failure to work, as in the printer won’t connect to the network.
Grammar Rule
With animate subjects, won’t implies volition — deliberate, obstinate unwillingness despite requests. With inanimate subjects, the same form personifies the object’s apparent refusal to work despite repeated attempts. This differs from doesn’t, which states a general or habitual fact without implying resistance.
Won’t for Refusals and Technical Failure: Rules and Examples
| Use | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Won’t (animate subject) | stubborn refusal despite requests | He won’t apologise, no matter how many times I ask. |
| Won’t (inanimate subject) | machine’s persistent failure despite attempts | The printer won’t connect to the network. |
| vs. Doesn’t | neutral, habitual fact, no resistance implied | The shop doesn’t open on Sundays. |
Remember: Use won’t for stubborn refusal or repeated technical failure, not for a neutral, one-off fact.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using won’t correctly for refusals and technical failure. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
C1-34 Won't for Refusals and Technical Failure
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does won’t imply with an animate subject?
Deliberate, obstinate unwillingness, as in he won’t apologise, no matter how many times I ask.
What does won’t imply with an inanimate subject?
A machine’s persistent failure to work, as in the printer won’t connect to the network.
How does won’t differ from doesn’t?
Doesn’t states a neutral, habitual fact without implying resistance, as in the shop doesn’t open on Sundays.
Is won’t appropriate for a neutral, one-off fact?
No, won’t implies resistance or repeated failure, not a simple neutral fact.