Grammar: The Future Indefinite
We normally use WILL to speak about the future. It is always combined with another verb.
Since WILL is classified as a modal verb (like can, would, could, should) it has the same characteristics:
1. It does not change in the third person (i.e. he, she, it)
2. It is always combined with another verb in the base form (i.e. without 'to')
3. We don't use it with 'Do' in questions or negatives.
Examples of Will:
- I will go to the cinema tonight.
- He will play tennis tomorrow.
- She will be happy with her exam results.
- They will take the bus to the South next week.
When to use WILL
We use WILL in the following circumstances:
For things that we decide to do now. (Rapid Decisions)
This is when you make a decision at that moment, in a spontaneous way.
- I'll call a taxi for you.
- I think we'll go right now. (I just decided this right now)
- Which one? Um, I will have the chicken sandwich please.
When we think or believe something about the future. (Prediction)
This can be based on personal judgement or opinion.
- The President will not be re-elected at the next election.
- I think it will rain later so take an umbrella with you.
- I think you will find the movie interesting.
Notice how you often use "I think..." before the subject + will.
To make an offer, a promise or a threat.
- You look tired. I'll finish the dishes for you.
- I will do my best to help you.
- If you say anything I will kill you!
- I will have it ready by tomorrow.
- I'll drive you to work if you want.
- Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. (won't = will not)
For a habit that is a predictable behaviour
- My daughter will fall asleep as soon as she is put into bed.
- He will give up if he starts losing. He always does that.
You use WON'T when someone refuses to do something.
- I told him to clean his room but he won't do it.
- She won't listen to anything I say.
Negative Sentences with WILL
In the negative, we add NOT to the end of WILL and not to the main verb. (= will not)
Examples:
- I will not be in the office tomorrow. (correct)
I will be not in the office tomorrow. (Incorrect) - They will not stay here. (correct)
They will stay not here. (Incorrect)
Contractions
It is possible to use contractions in both positive and negative sentences.
With positive contractions WILL becomes 'LL and is joined to the subject:
| Positive Contraction | |
| I will | I'll |
| You will | you'll |
| He will | he'll |
| She will | she'll |
| It will | it'll |
| We will | we'll |
| You will | you'll |
| They will | they'll |
With negative contractions, will not becomes won't:
| Negative Contraction | |
| I will not | I won't |
| You will not | you won't |
| He will not | he won't |
| She will not | she won't |
| It will not | it won't |
| We will not | we won't |
| You will not | you won't |
| They will not | they won't |
Questions
To form a question using WILL, we reverse the order of the subject and WILL:
| Affirmative | He | will | be | here tomorrow. |
| Subject | WILL | Verb | ||
| Question | Will | he | be | here tomorrow? |
| WILL | Subject | Verb |
Examples:
Will they win the cup?
- Yes, they will.
- No, they won't.
Will you tell him the truth?
- Yes, I will.
- No, I won't.
Will she get angry?
- Yes, she will.
- No, she won't.
A very confusing concept is when to use WILL and when to use BE GOING TO when we refer the future.
Both refer to the future and there is a slight difference between the two though in most cases they can be used interchangeably with no difference in meaning. Even if you misuse them, a native speaker is going to understand you without any problems.
When to use GOING TO
The structure BE GOING TO is normally used to indicate the future but with some type of connection to the present. We use it in the following situations:
When we have already decided or we INTEND to do something in the future. (Prior Plan)
The decision has been made before the moment of speaking.
- They 're going to retire to the beach - in fact they have already bought a little beach house.
- I 'm going to accept the job offer.
When there are definite signs that something is going to happen. (Evidence)
Something is likely to happen based on the evidence or experience you have.
- I think it is going to rain - I just felt a drop.
- I don't feel well. I think I 'm going to throw up. (throw up = vomit)
3. When something is about to happen:
- Get back! The bomb is going to explode.
When to use WILL
In other cases, where there is no implicit or explicit connection to the present, use WILL:
For things that we decide to do now. (Rapid Decisions)
This is when you make a decision at that moment, in a spontaneous way.
- I'll buy one for you too.
- I think I'll try one of those. (I just decided this right now)
When we think or believe something about the future. (Prediction)
- My team will not win the league this season.
- I think it will rain later so take an umbrella with you.
Note: You can use both Will and Going to for making future predictions.