Enskubók

1. Overview

2. Affirmative form

The Future Simple is formed with will + base form of the verb.

The form of will never changes. There is no -s for the third person, and the main verb remains in its base form.

He will come tomorrow.

Not: He will comes tomorrow.

Contractions

In natural spoken English, will is often contracted to ‘ll.

I’ll see you tomorrow.

She’ll be here in a minute.

They’ll probably arrive late.

These contractions are extremely common in conversation.

3. Negative form

To make negative sentences, use will not + base verb.

The contraction won’t is much more common in everyday speech.

I won’t forget your birthday.

He won’t be at school tomorrow.

We won’t have enough time.

Notice that won’t is an irregular contraction. We do not say willn’t.

4. Questions and short answers

To form a question, place will before the subject.

Will + subject + base verb?

Will you come to the party?

Will she arrive before six?

Will they need our help?

Short answers

We normally use the full form will in positive short answers, not the contraction ‘ll.

Question words

Question words can appear before will.

What will you do tomorrow?

Where will they stay?

When will the train arrive?

Who will help us?

How will we get home?

5. Predictions about the future

One of the most common uses of will is to predict what we think will happen.

These predictions may be based on opinions, beliefs, expectations or imagination.

I think our team will win.

People will use different kinds of transport in the future.

Perhaps it will snow tomorrow.

I’m sure you’ll enjoy the film.

I don’t think he will agree.

Common expressions with predictions

We can use will even when we are not certain about the future.

I think she’ll pass the exam, but I’m not sure.

5. Decisions made at the moment of speaking

We frequently use will when we decide to do something while we are speaking.

Imagine that someone knocks at the door.

I’ll open it.

The speaker has just decided to open the door.

Other examples:

I’m tired. I think I’ll go to bed.

The phone is ringing. I’ll answer it.

It’s getting cold. I’ll close the window.

That looks delicious. I’ll have the chocolate cake.

These are different from plans made earlier. The important idea is that the decision is spontaneous.

7. Promises, offers and willingness

Will is also used when we promise to do something, offer help or express our willingness to act.

Promises

I’ll call you when I arrive.

I promise I won’t tell anyone.

Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.

I’ll never forget this day.

Offers

I’ll carry your suitcase.

I’ll help you with your homework.

I’ll make some tea.

I’ll show you the way.

Requests

We can also use will to ask someone to do something.

Will you help me, please?

Will you close the door?

Will you wait here for a moment?

These requests can be polite, although could you…? is often softer.

8. Will vs be going to

Will and be going to are both used to talk about the future, and sometimes both are possible. However, there are important differences.

Decisions

Will is especially common for decisions made at the moment of speaking.

I’m thirsty. I’ll get some water.

Be going to is commonly used for decisions and intentions that already existed.

I’m going to buy a new bicycle next month. I’ve been saving money.

Predictions

Will often expresses what someone thinks or expects.

I think it will rain tomorrow.

Be going to is especially common when there is evidence in the present.

Look at those dark clouds. It’s going to rain.

The distinction is useful, but not absolute. English speakers sometimes use both forms naturally in similar situations.

9. Future time expressions

Will is often used with expressions that identify a future moment or period.

The word will does not require a time expression.

Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.

10. Will in sentences with if and when

Adverbs can show how certain we feel about a prediction.

She’ll definitely enjoy the concert.

They’ll probably arrive before lunch.

Perhaps we’ll see them tomorrow.

Maybe he won’t come.

In affirmative sentences, probably and definitely often appear between will and the main verb.

She will probably win.

He will definitely remember.

With negative predictions, a common pattern is:

She probably won’t come.

They definitely won’t agree.

11. Will in sentences with if and when

We often use will to describe what will happen if a condition is met, or when a future event takes place.

If it rains, we’ll stay at home.

If you need help, I’ll come.

When I arrive, I’ll call you.

We’ll have dinner when she gets home.

Notice that the clause beginning with if or when normally uses the Present Simple, even though its meaning refers to the future.

If it rains, we’ll stay inside.

Not: If it will rain, we’ll stay inside.

This is a useful introduction to the First Conditional, which can be explored in greater detail in a later unit.

12. Common mistakes

The key rule is straightforward: will is followed by the base form of the verb, without to.

13. Predictions, Decisions and Promises

Exercises