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The future, part 3 of 5

Will: Affirmative Sentences and Predictions

Will + verb is for what you decide right now, what you promise, and what you think will happen: I'll help you, it will be fun.

A1 · 12 minBefore:Going to: negatives and questions

The idea

What will is

It is the future form that does not change with the subject: will + verb. It is for what you decide on the spot, what you promise, and what you think will happen.

  1. You decide on the spot. It's cold. I'll close the window.
  2. You promise. I will be careful.
  3. You think it will happen. I think it will snow.

When to use it

To offer help, make promises, decide on the spot, and say what you think will happen. These expressions go with it:

To offer and promise

  • I'll help you
  • I'll be there
  • I'll text you

Decisions on the spot

  • I'll have the soup
  • I'll take it
  • I'll get it

What you think will happen

  • I think it will be fine
  • you'll love it
  • it will be fun
  • probably

Examples

  • A decision on the spot

    The phone is ringing. I'll answer.

  • A promise

    I will pay you back tomorrow.

  • A prediction

    I think she will win.

  • Offering help

    Your bag looks heavy. I'll carry it.

  • With any subject

    They will arrive at noon.

How to build it

3 steps

  1. Start with the subjectA pronoun or a noun:My friends
  2. Add willThe same for everyone, no -s:My friends will
  3. The verb as it isNo to and no -s:My friends will help us.

Affirmative

  1. SubjectAna
  2. willwill
  3. base verbbring
  4. complementthe cake.

The short form

In speech, will becomes 'll

With I, you, we, theyI willI'llwill becomes 'll
  • you willyou'll
  • we willwe'll
  • they willthey'll
With he, she, itshe willshe'llthe same as the others
  • he willhe'll
  • it willit'll
  • that willthat'll

How to pronounce it

  • will

    /wɪl/

    A short /ɪ/ and a clear /l/ at the end.

  • i'll

    /aɪl/

    One syllable: /aɪl/. This is how people say I will.

Check

My sister (blank) call you later. Which one goes in the blank?

Don't confuse it with going to

OK, I'll buy the tickets.

Decided now

I'm going to buy the tickets on Friday.

Already planned

Will is for what you decide now or promise. Going to is for what you already planned.

Going to

In real life

With I think, I'm sure, or probably, will sounds natural for opinions about the future: I'm sure you'll pass.

Frequently asked questions

Does will change with he or she?

No: I will, she will, they will. Never wills.

Is will for plans?

For plans you already made, going to sounds more natural (part 1). Will is for what you decide or promise on the spot.

What is shall?

An old form of will with I and we. Today you mostly hear it in offers: Shall I open the window?

In short

  • Will + verb, the same for everyone: she will come.
  • In speech it gets shorter: I'll, you'll, she'll.
  • No to and no -s: will call.
  • To offer and promise: I'll do it.
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By Bryan López ·
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