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
Long forms | Contracted forms |
---|---|
I will close the window. | I‘ll close the window. |
You will close the window. | You‘ll close the window. |
He will close the window. | He‘ll close the window. |
6.2. Negative sentences in the will future
Long forms | Contracted forms |
---|---|
I will not close the window. | I‘ll not close the window. |
I won’t close the window. | |
You will not close the window. | You‘ll not close the window. |
You won’t close the window. | |
He will not close the window. | He’ll not close the window. |
He won’t close the window. |
6.3. Questions in the will future
Long forms | Contracted forms |
---|---|
Will I close the window.? | not possible |
Will you close the window.? | |
Will he close the window.? |