English Grammar: Will – other uses

 

Older textbooks often refer to ‘will’ as ‘the future tense’ and this has confused a lot of learners.

It is important to remember that when we talk about the future we cannot always use ‘will’ and that when we use ‘will’ we are not always talking about the future.

Here ‘will’ is clearly referring to the future.

• If I speak to her, I’ll tell her about it.
• I’ll probably visit Sue when I go to Oxford.
• Next birthday she’ll be 32. Or so she says.

In these examples, however, ‘will’ is referring to events happening at the present.

• The car won’t start.
• If that’s the phone, I’ll get it.
• Will you have another cup of coffee?

When we use ‘will’ referring to the present, the idea being expressed is usually one of ‘showing willingness’ or ‘will power’.

• My baby won’t stop crying. I’ve tried everything and I’m really exhausted.
• I am the boss. You will do as I say. 
• I need quiet to write this but he will keep on talking to me. I wish he would leave me alone. 

We use ‘will’ for requests, orders, invitations and offers.

• Will you give me a hand?
• Will you please take a seat?
• Will you have some cake?
• I’ll help you.

We use ‘will’ to make promises or threats.

• I’ll do it at once. 
• I’ll phone him back immediately.
• I won’t forget this. 
• I’ll get my own back some day.

We use ‘will’ for habit.

• A cat will always find a warm place to sleep.
• My car won’t go any faster than this.

We use ‘will’ for deduction.

• I expect he’ll want us to get on with it.
• The phone’s ringing. That will be Mark.

Look again at all of these examples of ‘will’. They are all to do with the present or are ‘timeless’.

QUIZ

#1. Will you —— me a hand?

 Give

 Make

 Take

#2. There’s someone ringing the bell. It will probably —— Janet.

 Go

 Have

 Be

#3. He won’t —— talking about it. I wish he would be quiet.

 Stop

 Speak

 Start

#4. I’ve tried phoning him several times but he won’t ——.

 Exercise

 Question

 Answer

#5. That’s very kind of you. I won’t —— this.

 Remember

 Forgive

 Forget

#6. Someone is at the door. I’ll —— it.

 Have

 Make

 Get

#7. Will you —— some coffee?

 Have

 Put

 Pull

#8. I’ll —— that. It’s too heavy for you.

 Come

 Go

 Take

#9. My computer won’t —— on. It seems to be broken.

 Pull

 Turn

 Put

#10. Will you —— a seat?

 Make

 Take

 Sit