On Thursday, April 12, 2012
Basic form
Subject + WILL + Verb (present form)Quick examples
- I will clean up my room. I promise!
- The telephone is ringing. I will pick it up!
- I think it will rain.
- He will stay there for hours, doing nothing.
Use
- Promises
- Unplanned actions
- Predictions based on experience or intuition
- Habits (obstinate insistence, usually habitual)
Use 1: Promises
The first use of the Future Simple to make promises.- I promise I will buy you this toy.
- Promise you will never leave me!
Use 2: Unplanned actions
Use this tense also to talk about unplanned (spontaneous) decisions.- Don't worry! I will help you with this problem.
- I will close the window. It's starting to rain.
Use 3: Predictions
We often use the Future Simple when making a prediction based on experience or intuition.- It will rain in a moment.
- It will get more difficult.
Use 4: Habits
The last use of this tense is interesting: we can also use the Future Simple to express habits.- She will bit her lip if she is thinking or if she's nervous about something.
- He will always make noise when we are sleeping.
Shall
You can also use shall to express future in Future Simple.
It is more formal than will, and usually appears in formal speeches, agreements or guarantees.
Examples:
Examples:
- The guarantee shall be provided on the following conditions: (...)
- We shall never surrender!
Form
WILL = 'LL
WILL + NOT = WON'T
- She'll dance = she will dance
WILL + NOT = WON'T
- She won't dance = she will not dance
Declarative Sentences
| Subject | + | Auxiliary verb | + | Verb |
| e.g. I/a dog etc. | will | e.g. work/go/make |
Remember
Remember, you should never use will to say
what somebody has already arranged or decided to do in the future:
- Correct: Mike is moving to New Jersey next month.
- Incorrect: Mike will move to New Jersey next month.
- I think he will regret his choice. (Use 3)
- I will come back at 10 p.m. (Use 1)
- If you will keep your watch half an hour slow it is hardly surprising that you are late for your appointments. (Use 4)
- John will keep dropping his towel on the floor after a bath. (Use 4)
- I will visit my grandma at hospital. (Use 1 or Use 2)
- Let's buy the snacks at the supermarket — it will be cheaper that way. (Use 3)
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Questions
Auxiliary verb + Subject + Verb will e.g. I/a dog etc. e.g. work/go/make Remember
We often use "will" with:
probably, most likely I'll probably drop in on uncle. I think This gift is great. I think we'll love it. I'm sure It's not going to be boring there. I'm sure there will be a lot of boys at your age I wonder (if, what, when, etc.) It's a bit late. I wonder if he'll come. I expect I haven't seen Matthew today. I expect he'll call today.
- Will he be surprised when he sees me? (Use 3)
- Will Mark be able to do the shopping before 10 a.m.? (Use 3)
- Will there be plenty of people in church? (Use 3)
- Will you study harder? (Use 1)
Negative Sentences
| Subject | + | Auxiliary verb | + | Verb |
| e.g. I/a dog etc. | will not | e.g. work/go/make |
- I won't take any heavy equipment with me. (Use 2)
- I'm sorry I won't be able to help you with your English today. (Use 2)
- I expect that Sally will not clean up her room, unless you help her. (Use 3)
