How to use ‘Will’ Part 1

Will, and its negative form will not are modal auxiliary verbs. Will not is normally contracted to won’t in informal and spoken English. because they are modal auxiliary verbs, we don’t add ‘s’ in the third person singular. Also, we use the infinitive.

Most of us know that will is used to talk about the future. But observe two points:

1. 1. 1. In fact, we can talk about the future without using will.
      2. More to the point, we give below 18 different ways of using will.

Belief about the future

Normally, WILL is used to talk about our future beliefs. If we think an event is certain, we use will:

• • • He’s got his transfer orders, but will stay till the new man joins.
    • I’ll see you tomorrow at eleven.
    • She’ll send you the bill by email.

Making predictions

WILL is used to predict the future. You use “think” with it.

• • • I think it’ll be too expensive to repair the car.
    • They think they’ll get the bonus next month.
    • We think the entire process will take around 10 working days.

Talking about facts

Facts are things we know will happen for sure. We don’t believe there’s any exception.

• • • The motor will burn if you open the lid while it’s running.
    • The car will skid if you don’t slow down while turning.
    • The card will be sucked in if you leave it for 60 seconds.

Some predictions are about the present:

When the speaker knows of the situation, they make deductions of events.

• • • That’ll be my husband. I know the way he honks.
    • There goes the doorbell. That’ll be the milkman.
    • The letter came in by the afternoon post. That’ll be my PAN card. It was due today.

Conditionals

Will is used when we talk about situations that have a 50-50 chance of happening, provided a specific condition is fulfilled:

• • • If I take that promotion, I’ll have to move to Chennai.
    • If we provide free parking, we will have more walk-ins.
    • If the weather is wet for one more week, we will sell more raincoats.

Immediate decisions

Will is also used when we make any decisions right now.

• • • What will you do if it rains?
    • I’ll carry an umbrella.

• • • When I go for the meeting, I’ll take some samples to show them.
    • I’m hungry. I’ll have my lunch early.

 

• • • What’ll you have with your coffee?
    • I think I’ll have some scones and a pastry.

Intentions

We use will when we talk about our intentions – what we determine to do mentally.

• • • I think I’ll take her to a dinner on Saturday. (I intend to take her to dinner.)
    • I think I’ll resend my proposal with a 15 percent increased price.

Making offers and showing willingness to do something

Will is also used to say what you are willing to do.

• • • I’ll show you where to go. (I’m willing to show you, but I won’t if you refuse.)
    • You look tired. I’ll get you a coffee. (I’ll go only if you say so.)
    • I’ll call your house and tell them you’ll be late. (Are you okay with that?)

 

• • • I have a headache.
    • I’ll get you some medicine.

Promises

When we make promises, we use will.

• • • I’ll pick you up at ten tomorrow.
    • We’ll get married in April.
    • I’ll be there for you. Don’t worry.

Click here for the nine other uses of WILL.