Will Future

When do we use the will future?

The will-future is one future tense. There are other future tenses, e.g. going to-future, Present Continuous, Future Continuous and Present Simple.

Use of the will future

1. future actions outside the speaker’s control

We can use this for what we think of as future facts:

• The sun will rise at 6:30 tomorrow.
• Susan will be 15 next year.

2. the speaker’s predictions, assumptions

Here we use ‘will’ for what we predict, as it is the speaker’s opinion sentences often begin with: I think, I hope, I’m sure, I’m afraid.

• I think Susan will like the present we bought her.
• I hope the restaurant will have a free table.

3. spontaneous actions, offers, promises made at the moment of speaking

We often use ‘will’ when we’re talking about a decision at the moment of speaking. We are usually making an offer or promise or talking about something that we want to do.

• I’ll give you a lift.
• Are you cold? I’ll close the window.

4. Signal words

There are no unambiguous signal words for this tense, although anything with a future meaning can be used, i.e: tomorrow, next year, later on etc.,

5. Form

will + infinitive

6. Examples

6.1. Affirmative sentences in the will future

6.2. Negative sentences in the will future

6.3. Questions in the will future