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Will: Spontaneous Decisions, Predictions, and Promises
Will + base verb never changes form, no matter the subject: I will, she will, they will.
Written by Bryan López, Profesor de inglés · Updated
Will is used for decisions you make at the moment of speaking, predictions based on opinion (without solid evidence), promises, and offers. It never changes form: will is the same for every subject.
Affirmative (same form for every subject)
Negative and questions
The uses of will
A spontaneous decision, made right at the moment of speaking: "I'm thirsty. I'll get some water." A prediction based on opinion, without solid evidence: "I think it will rain tomorrow." Promises: "I will always love you." Offers: "I'll carry that for you."
Will never changes form
Unlike other verbs, will is exactly the same for every subject: I will, you will, he will, she will, we will, they will. You never say "he wills" or add -s to it.
Common mistakes with will
Using going to for a spontaneous decision, when it should be will: if you decide something right at the moment of speaking, you use will, not going to (going to is for plans already decided beforehand). It's also common to try to conjugate will like a regular verb, adding -s with he/she/it.
Practice will with real audio
Interactive exercises, real pronunciation, and the full lesson taught in English.
Will vs. going to
Will and going to can both talk about the future, but they're not interchangeable. Will is for decisions made at the moment of speaking or predictions without strong evidence. Going to is for plans already decided before the moment of speaking, especially when there's already evidence (a ticket bought, a reservation made). If you already know what you're going to do, going to usually fits better than will.
A common mix-up
Incorrect
I will go to Paris next summer, I already bought the tickets.
Correct
I'm going to go to Paris next summer, I already bought the tickets.
More examples of will
- I'll text you when I get home.
- It will probably be cold tomorrow.
- She won't be happy about this.
- Will you marry me?
Will in the first conditional
Will is also the standard verb for the result clause in first conditional sentences, which talk about a realistic future possibility: if + present simple, will + base verb. "If it rains, I will stay home." "If you study, you will pass the exam." The if-clause uses the present tense even though it's talking about the future, and will goes in the main clause, not the if-clause. The same pattern extends to other time clauses with when and as soon as: "I will call you when I arrive."
Will in a real conversation
A: "The phone is ringing, can you get it?" B: "Sure, I'll get it." A: "Do you think it will rain later?" B: "I'm not sure, but I'll bring an umbrella just in case."
Frequently asked questions
How is will formed?
Will + the main verb in its base form, the same for every subject: I will go, she will go.
What is will used for?
For spontaneous decisions (made in the moment), predictions based on opinion, promises, and offers.
How do you make will negative?
With won't (will not) + base verb: I won't go, she won't come.
Does will change based on the subject?
No, will is always the same: I will, you will, he will, she will, we will, they will. It never takes -s or changes form.
What are some examples of will?
"I will call you later." "She will probably be late." "I'll help you with that."
Can will be used for future plans?
It can for predictions or offers, but for a plan you already decided before speaking, going to is usually more accurate.
How do you make offers with will?
"With I'll + base verb, decided right at the moment: "I'll carry that for you," "I'll help you with the dishes."
How is will used in conditional sentences?
In the first conditional: if + present simple, will + base verb. "If it rains, I will stay home." Will goes in the main clause, never in the if-clause.
Can will be used for habits or general truths?
Yes, will can describe typical behavior, similar to a habit: "She'll always help if you ask her." This use is less common than the future uses.
What's the negative contraction of will not?
Won't. "I won't be there," "She won't answer," "They won't agree." It's the standard contraction used in speech and informal writing.
Is shall the same as will?
They're related, but shall is now mostly used with I/we in formal offers or suggestions ("Shall we go?"), while will is the standard choice for every subject in everyday English.
Is will only used for the future?
Mostly, but will also expresses willingness and promises: "I'll help you." It can even describe things that refuse to work: "The car won't start."
How do you ask questions with will?
Put will before the subject: "Will you help me?" "Will it rain tomorrow?" Short answers: "Yes, I will." "No, it won't."
Practice will with real audio
Interactive exercises, real pronunciation, and the full lesson taught in English.
Keep learning
- Going To vs. Will: Which One to Use for the FutureGoing to is for plans already decided, will is for decisions you make right at the moment of speaking.
- Going To: Plans, Intentions, and PredictionsBe + going to + verb is used for plans already decided and for predictions based on something you see right now.
- Would Like: The Polite Way to Ask for Something"Would like" is the polite way to say you want something, more formal than "want."