5.1.3: Future with "Will"
- Page ID
- 271168
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Future Tense Form-"Will"
This chart provides a quick reference for forming sentences in affirmative, negative, and question forms using
Form | Affirmative | Negative | Question |
---|---|---|---|
Subject | will + base verb | will not / won't + base verb | Will + subject + base verb? |
I | will play | will not play / won't play | Will I play? |
You | will play | will not play / won't play | Will you play? |
He/She/It | will play | will not play / won't play | Will he/she/it play? |
We | will play | will not play / won't play | Will we play? |
They | will play | will not play / won't play | Will they play? |
Meaning: "Will" + Base Form
- I will do my homework after class
- I will bring plates to the party
- I'll have the chicken teriyaki
- It will probably rain tomorrow
Which sentence is used to volunteer for a task? Which sentence is used to make a quick decision? Which sentence is used to make a promise? Which sentence is used to make a prediction?
Answers
- The first sentence is used to make a promise
- The second sentence is used to volunteer for a task
- The third sentence is used to make a quick decision
- The fourth sentence used to make a prediction
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Expressing Future Events with Will
We use will + the base form of the main verb in these situations.
Use “Will” Example Explanation To talk about things that we think will happen
(In such cases we often use words such as “I think” or “probably”.)James will probably study history at university. I know James is interested in history. Therefore I guess or predict that he will study history in the future. For official or formal announcements concerning future events The graduation dinner will take place on June 3rd of this year. Any type of ceremony, including a graduation ceremony, is a formal or important event. Therefore, the use of will is appropriate here. For promises or offers related to the future
(In such cases, we are expressing willingness.)You forgot your wallet. Don't worry. I'll lend you some money.
The phone is ringing. Don't get up. I'll answer it.In each case, the speaker is expressing a willingness to help the listener. For decisions concerning future events that are made while talking Person A: The car is very dirty.
Person B: You're right. I'll wash it after lunch.Before this conversation, Person B was not planning to wash the car after lunch. He decided to do so because of something Person A said. In other words, he made his decision to wash the car during the conversation. When making serious promises Don't worry. I won't forget to pay you back the money.
I'll take care of your house while you're out of the country. Don't worry about a thing.
I'll never forgive him!In each case, the speaker is expressing a promise to do something in the future. Use "be going to," "plan to," simple present, or continuous for events that are planned. Use "be going to," "will," "might," and "may" for predictions...
- She will get a cold if she doesn't take care of herself
- This is a prediction
- They are going to have a party
- This is a plan
- They plan to do their homework after class
- This is a plan
- Maybe it will rain this afternoon
- This is a prediction
Grammar Practice-Will
Practice 1
Complete the sentences and questions using the simple future will.
1. When ________________ available to meet with me?
a. will you are
b. you will be
c. will you be
2. ________________ online or in-person?
a. Will the class be
b. Wills the class be
c. Will the class is
5. The class ________________ on January 7th.
a. will begins
b. will begin
c. wills begin
4. I ________________ anymore cupcakes.
a. won’t eat
b. won’t eats
c. willn’t eat
5. The number of flights ________________ after the holidays.
a. will decreases
b. will decrease
6. People ________________ more time off.
a. wills take
b. will takes
c. will take
7. Will you be at school tomorrow? Yes, ________________.
a. I’ll
b. I won’t
c. I will
8. Will she arrive tonight? Yes, ________________.
a. she’ll
b. she wills
c. she will
9. Where ________________ place?
a. will take the wedding
b. will the wedding take
c. the wedding will take
Practice exercise taken from High-Intermediate Academic Grammar for ESL Students-Simple Future licensed by Rebecca Al Haider under CC BY 4.0
Practice 2
Fill in the blanks with 'will' (positive) or 'won't' (negative), and the appropriate verb:
- I think our team _______________ (win) the game tomorrow.
- She ________________ (do) her homework after school.
- __________ they ______________ (visit) us later?
- We ________________ (need) to borrow money for our project.
- He ____________________ (call) you back as soon as he can.
- They __________________ (attend / not) the conference next week.
- __________ she __________________ (forget) her keys again?
- _________________ you ________________ (help) me with the project?
- It _______________________ (take / not) long to fix the car.
- They _____________________ (move) to a new apartment next month.
- I __________________ (tell / not) anyone your secret. I promise!
- You dropped your pencil under my desk. I __________________ (get) it for you.
Exercise created with the assistance of Chat GPT3.5
Using “Will + Base Form” with certainly, definitely, probably, possibly, perhaps, and maybe.
The adverbs certainly, definitely, probably, possibly, perhaps, and maybe express varying degrees of certainty.
Highest certainty → certainly, definitely
Moderate certainty → probably, likely
Lower certainty → possibly, maybe, perhaps
Placement of Adverbs of Degree of CertaintyIf the main verb is 'to be', the adverbs "Certainly," "Definitely, "Likely," "Probably," and "Possibly" are placed after the verb:
With the future form "will + base verb," the adverbs are placed before the base verb (after "will."). In a negative sentence, the adverbs are placed after "will" and before "not" or before the contraction "won't."
Maybe" and "Perhaps," are placed at the beginning of a sentence:
|
Practice 1
Rewrite each sentence by adding the appropriate expression of certainty in parentheses. Make the sentence negative where "not" is added:
- She will finish the project on time (certainly).
- They will go to the beach if the weather is nice (definitely).
- It will rain later this evening (probably).
- I will attend the meeting. (possibly, not).
- We will attend the conference next week (maybe).
- The package will arrive by tomorrow (perhaps).
- I will complete the assignment by the deadline (likely, not).
- They will win the championship this season (likely).
- She will be here on time for the meeting ( certainly, not).
- We will pass the test. (likely, not).
Chart-Future Tense Forms-Will from Grammar Slides for English Learners (Ferguson) is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Sara Ferguson.