will and won't

01 Will Won't

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B1 6-7

01 will and won't

We can use “will” to talk about the future. We also use will to make predictions, talk about decisions, and to make promises, offers, requests and threats.

Grammar rules

“Will” and the negative form “will not” or “won’t” is a modal auxiliary verb. This means that there is no s on the third person singular, and that it is followed by the infinitive: I will leave later. They will leave later. Note: “will” is often abbreviated to ‘ll in spoken English: “I’ll leave later.” “He’ll leave later.” To make the question form, change the word order: “You will leave later” = “Will you leave later?”

Using will

Here are some of the ways we use will: 1. To talk about the future We can often use “will” + infinitive without “to” to refer to future events. This is often called the “pure” future: “I’ll be back later tonight – don’t bother making me dinner.” “I’m busy right now – I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Using will

2. To make predictions We also use “will” to talk about what we think will happen in the future. “I think it’ll rain tonight.” “I’m sure he’ll be a successful lawyer one day.” Note: for “negative” predictions, make the “think” negative, not the “will”: “I don’t think it’ll rain tonight” (Not “I think it won’t rain tonight.”)

Using will

3. To make decisions When we make decisions at the same time as we speak, we use “will”. For example, in a restaurant: Waiter: “What would you like to eat?” Customer: “I think I’ll have the chicken.” Other examples: “I’m cold. I think I’ll put the heater on.” “Look, that’s my bus. I’ll catch up with you later.”

Using will

4. To make promises, offers, requests and threats These are some other ways we can use “will” in English. Promises: “I’ll help you with your homework tomorrow.” Offers: “I’ll look after the children for you if you like.” Requests: “Will you tell Tony I called?” Threats: “If you cheat again, I’ll tell the teacher.”

More examples: (The phone rings) Julie: I'll get it! ('I'm going to get it' is very strange, because it makes us think that Julie knew the phone was going to ring before it did). I'm going to go on holiday next week. ('I'll go on holiday next week' makes it sound like you've only just decided at that minute. Of course, this is possible, but normally we plan our holidays more in advance!).

Other points about the future: We use the present continuous tense for definite future arrangements. Often, it doesn't really matter if we choose 'be going to' or the present continuous. In the following example, there is really very little difference in meaning:

• I'm going to the cinema tonight.
• I'm going to go to the cinema tonight.

We use the present simple tense in two cases. First, we use it for a timetabled event in the future, like public transport or the start of a class:

• My train leaves at six tonight.
• His class starts at 9am tomorrow.

Second, we use it after certain words, when the sentence has a future meaning. These words are: before / after / as soon as / until / when:

• I'll call you when I get home.
• She's going to study after she finishes dinner.
• Please drink some water as soon as you complete the race.

Try an exercise about 'will' and 'be going to' here.