English Grammar: Will Future

Some people have been taught that ‘will’ is ‘the future’ in English. This is not correct. Sometimes when we talk about the future we cannot use ‘will’. Sometimes when we use ‘will’ we are not talking about the future.

We can use ‘will’ to talk about future events we believe to be certain.

• The sun will rise over there tomorrow morning.
• Next year, I’ll be 50.
• That plane will be late. It always is. 
• There won’t be any snow. I’m certain. It’s too warm. 

Often we add ‘perhaps’, ‘maybe’, ‘probably’, ‘possibly’ to make the belief less certain.

• I’ll probably come back later.
• He’ll possibly find out when he sees Jenny.
• Maybe it will be OK.
• Perhaps we’ll meet again some day.

We often use ‘will’ with ‘I think’ or ‘I hope’.

• I think I’ll go to bed now.
• I think she’ll do well in the job.
• I hope you’ll enjoy your stay.
• I hope you won’t make too much noise.

We use ‘will’ at the moment we make a new decision or plan. The thought has just come into our head.

• Bye. I’ll phone you when I get there.
• I’ll answer that.
• I’ll go.
• I won’t tell him. I promise.

QUIZ

#1. The phone is ringing. I’ll —— it.

 Answer

 Look

 Repond

#2. Maybe I’ll —— in later.

 Pop

 See

 Make

#3. What time will the train ——?

 Take off

 Leave

 Quit

#4. I’m very tired. I think I’ll —— a lie down.

 Have

 Look

 Make

#5. I think I’ll —— a word with him about that.

 Have

 Take

 Pass

#6. Who do you think will —— the tournament?

 Triumph

 Win

 Gain

#7. You’ll probably —— him in the kitchen at parties.

 Find

 Have

 Miss

#8. If you need a hand, I’ll ——.

 See

 Hold

 Help

#9. You will never —— how it finished.

 Take

 Have

 Know

#10. Where will you —— the night?

 Spend

 Have

 Sleep