A Structure ("Will")
Use will to talk about the future. We often use will for instant decisions, offers, promises, and predictions. Unlike going to, will does not use am, is, or are.
| Subject | Example |
|---|---|
| I | I will call you later. |
| He / She / It | She will help us tomorrow. |
| You / We / They | They will arrive soon. |
Tip: After will, always use the base form of the verb.
✓ She will study tonight.
✓ We will travel next month.
✗ She will studies tonight.
✗ We will travelled next month.
B When We Use "Will"
We use will for several different future situations. The most common uses are:
- Instant decisions made at the moment of speaking.
- Offers to help someone.
- Promises and requests.
- Predictions based on opinions or beliefs.
- The phone is ringing. I will answer it.
- I'm thirsty. I will get some water.
- Don't worry. We will help you.
- I think it will be a great game.
- I'm sure she will enjoy the movie.
- I believe our team will win.
Tip: Use will when you make a decision at the moment of speaking or when you are giving your opinion about the future.
✓ The phone is ringing. I will answer it.
✓ I think they will arrive on time.
✗ The phone is ringing. I am going to answer it. (not an instant decision)
✗ I think they are going to arrive on time. (use will for opinions)
C Positive Sentences
Use will to talk about future actions, instant decisions, offers, promises, and predictions. In positive sentences, will is followed by the base form of the main verb.
- I will call you after work.
- She will help us with the project.
- They will arrive tomorrow morning.
- We will visit our friends this weekend.
- He will finish the report tonight.
Tip: After will, always use the base form of the verb. Never add -s, -ed, or -ing after will.
✓ She will study tonight.
✓ They will travel next week.
✗ She will studies tonight.
✗ They will travelled next week.
D Negative Sentences
Use will not or won't to say that something will not happen or that someone does not intend to do something in the future. After will or won't, always use the base form of the main verb.
- I won't forget your birthday.
- She won't attend the meeting tomorrow.
- They won't arrive before noon.
- We won't drive because of the snowstorm.
- He won't buy a new phone this year.
Tip: After will or won't, always use the base form of the verb.
✓ She won't come tomorrow.
✓ They won't finish the project today.
✗ She won't came tomorrow.
✗ They won't finished the project today.
E Yes/No Questions & Short Answers
To ask a yes/no question with will, place will before the subject. Answer with Yes or No, followed by a short answer.
Yes, subject + will.
No, subject + won't.
- Will you join us for dinner?
Yes, I will. - Will she finish the report today?
No, she won't. - Will they arrive before noon?
Yes, they will. - Will he call you later?
No, he won't.
Tip: To make a question, move will to the beginning of the sentence. The main verb always stays in its base form.
✓ Will she come tomorrow?
✓ Will they travel next week?
✗ Will she comes tomorrow?
✗ Will they travelled next week?
F Wh- Questions
Use Wh- questions to ask for specific information about future actions. Common question words include who, what, where, when, why, and how. After the question word, use will, followed by the subject and the base form of the verb.
- Where will you work after graduation?
I will work in Edmonton. - When will she arrive?
She will arrive tomorrow morning. - Who will they invite to the party?
They will invite their neighbours. - Why will he leave early?
Because he has another appointment. - What will we eat for dinner?
We will have pasta.
Tip: In Wh- questions, the order is: Question Word → will → subject → base verb
✓ Where will they live?
✓ What will she study?
✗ Where will they lived?
✗ What will she studies?
G Offers, Promises & Instant Decisions
One of the most common uses of will is to make offers, promises, and instant decisions. These decisions are usually made at the moment of speaking. They are not plans that were made earlier.
- I will carry your bags.
- We will help you with your homework.
- I will call you tomorrow.
- She will be here on time.
- The phone is ringing. I will answer it.
- I'm cold. I will close the window.
- I'm hungry. I will make a sandwich.
Tip: If you decide at the moment of speaking, or if you are making an offer or a promise, use will.
✓ The phone is ringing. I will answer it.
✓ Don't worry. I will help you.
✗ The phone is ringing. I am going to answer it. (not an instant decision)
✗ Don't worry. I am going to help you. (an offer is usually made with will)
H Making Predictions
We often use will to make predictions about the future. Predictions are based on our opinions, beliefs, or expectations. Unlike going to, they are usually not based on something we can see happening now.
We often use these words and expressions with will:
- I think it will rain tomorrow.
- I don't think they will win the game.
- She will probably pass the exam.
- Maybe we will visit Vancouver next summer.
- Perhaps he will find a new job soon.
Tip:
Use
will
when you are giving your
opinion
or making a
prediction
about the future.
These expressions are very common in everyday English.
✓
I think she will enjoy the course.
✓
They will probably arrive early.
✓
I don't think it will snow tonight.
✓
Maybe we will meet again next year.
✗
I think she will enjoys the course.
✗
They will probably arrived early.
✗
I don't think it will snows tonight.
✗
Maybe we will met again next year.
I Key Points to Remember
Remember these key ideas:
- Use will to talk about instant decisions, offers, promises, requests, and predictions based on opinions.
- The structure is: Subject + will + base verb.
- After will, always use the base form of the verb.
- To make a negative sentence, use will not or won't before the base verb.
- To ask a question, move will before the subject.
- Use going to for plans already decided, but use will for decisions made at the moment of speaking.
✓ I will help you.
✓ She won't forget your birthday.
✓ Will they arrive on time?
✓ Where will he work after graduation?
✗ I will helping you.
✗ She won't forgot your birthday.
✗ Will they arrives on time?
✗ Where will he worked after graduation?