Learn English – “would not” vs. “did not”

modal-verbsword-usage

Could anybody explain to me the usage of 'would' in the following sentences:

  1. I asked to borrow the car but my father wouldn't let me.

  2. The landlady wouldn't allow me to have guests.

I was wondering if I could use "did not" in the above sentences instead of "would not," and if so, what is the difference between them.

Best Answer

Wouldn't is a contraction of "would not" and denotes a lack of permission or willingness on the part of the subject. Your father didn't want to let you borrow the car, and the landlady didn't want you to have guests.