Posts Tagged ‘will’

Using will

July 17th, 2013 in English Grammar

We use will to construct future tense forms.

  • She will come.
  • I will go.
  • Will you help me?
  • No, I won’t believe this.

Used for predictions

Will is used to make simple predictions about the future.

  • They will accept the offer.
  • She will bring her violin.
  • I will finish this work by evening.

Will is also used to talk about scheduled future events.

  • The play will start at 6 o’clock.
  • She will arrive by the 3.30 train.
  • The school will reopen on Monday.

Notes

Will is followed by an infinitive without to. Questions and negatives are made without do.

  • I will help you. (NOT I will to help you.)
  • They will not send the payment. (NOT They don’t will send the payment.)
  • Will you marry me? (NOT Do you will marry me?)

Used for promises

Will is often used to make promises.

  • I will help you with the house work.
  • I will buy you a drink.
  • I will pay the money back.

Will is also used in combination with the conjunctions as soon as, when, before and after.

  • I will visit you before I go.
  • I will start as soon as I receive your call.
  • I will have dinner after I finish this report.

Note the use of the simple present tense in the subordinate clause. In subordinate adverb clauses we use the simple present tense to refer to the future.

In conditional clauses

Will is used in first conditional sentences to talk about real and possible situations.

  • I will come if I have time.
  • She will pass if she works hard.
  • We will cancel the match if it rains.

Note that here we use simple present tense in the if-clause.