5.1.2: 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 "will".
| Form | Affirmative | Negative | Question | Short Answer | Wh-Question |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | will + base verb | will not / won't + base verb | Will + subject + base verb? | Subject +Will | Wh word+ Will + subject + base verb? |
| I | will play | will not play / won't play | Will I play? |
Yes you will. No you won't |
What will I play? |
| You | will play | will not play / won't play | Will you play? |
Yes I will. No I won't |
When will you play? |
| He/She/It | will play | will not play / won't play | Will he/she/it play? |
Yes he/she/it will. No he/she/it won't |
Where will he/she play? |
| We | will play | will not play / won't play | Will we play? |
Yes we will. No we won't |
Why will we play? |
| They | will play | will not play / won't play | Will they play? |
Yes they will. No they won't |
How will they play? |
Meaning: "Will" + Base Form
Example Conversations:
- Mother: You need to do your homework, Jack!
Jack: Yes, Mother. I will do my homework after class
- Lori: Can you help me with my homework?
Sheila: Sure! I will come to your house after school, and we can study together.
- Waiter: What can I get for you today?
Lori: I'll have the chicken teriyaki, please.
- Lori: Do you think our team will win the game?
Sheila: Yes, I think they will win.
Which sentence is used to volunteer for a task? Which sentence is used to make a decision at the moment? Which sentence is used to make a promise? Which sentence is used to make a prediction?
Answers
Grammar Practice-Will
- 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
-
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. 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. 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.
That box is heavy. I'll carry it for you.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.
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.
Exercise 2.1
Complete the sentences and questions using the future with will. Use the correct forms of the words in parentheses.
1. When ________________ (you, be) available to meet with me?
2. ________________ ( the class, be) online or in-person?
3. The class ________________ (begin) on January 7th.
4. I ________________ (eat, not) any cupcakes until after dinner.
5. The number of flights ________________ (decrease) after the holidays.
6. People ________________(take) more time off if wages increase.
7. Will you be at school tomorrow? Yes, ________________.
8. Will she arrive tonight? Yes, ________________.
9. Where ________________( the wedding, take place) ?
Practice exercise adopted from High-Intermediate Academic Grammar for ESL Students-Simple Future licensed by Rebecca Al Haider under CC BY 4.0
Exercise 2.2
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.
- I __________________ (tell / not) anyone your secret. I promise!
- _________________ you ________________ (help) me with the project?
- It _______________________ (take / not) long to fix the car.
- You dropped your pencil under my desk. I __________________ (get) it for you.
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
Lower certainty → possibly, maybe, perhaps
Placement of Adverbs of Degree of CertaintyIf the main verb is 'to be', the adverbs "Certainly," "Definitely, "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:
|
Exercise 2.3
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 (probably, not).
- She will be here on time for the meeting ( certainly, 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.