Expressing PREDICTIONS, orders, PROMISES & threats and MOMENTARY decisions
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| CC-BY-SA Nina Paley |
FUTURE SIMPLE - WILL
1. Giving information about the future
- It will be spring soon.
- All the family will be at the wedding.
- In another 30 minutes the alarm will go off.
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| photo credit Mike Gruhn |
2. We often use SHALL / WILL in predictions of future events to say what we think, guess or calculate will happen.
- Tomorrow will be warm with some clouds in the afternoon.
- I shall be rich one day.
- Who do you think will win on Saturday?
3. We use SHALL / WILL to say what we think the world will look like in a few years' time, or to make predictions about our lives:
- We won't travel as much as we do now.
- There will be flying cars.
- Robots will do our housework.
- I will be married, or at least I will have a boyfriend.
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| CC-BY-SA Nina Paley |
4. When we make a spontaneous decision at the moment of speaking:
- It's late. I think I'll go home now.
- We haven't got any sugar. - Really! I'll stop by the supermarket and get some.
5. We use WILL/SHALL in positive sentences and SHALL in questions to make offers and suggestions, for example offering to help someone:
- Shall I help you with your suitcase?
- I'll give you a lift to the airport.
- Shall I open the window? (not:
Will I openthe window?)
6. We use will in question forms to make polite requests:
- Will you give me a hand, please? (Will you help me?)
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| CC-BY-SA Nina Paley |
7. We use will when we promise or threaten someone (to do something):
- Don't worry, I will help you finish this later.
- I'll tell mum about that!
- I'll hit you if you do that again!
8. Orders:
- You will start work at 8 o'clock sharp!
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| CC-BY-SA Nina Paley |
9. Refusal: won't
- I don't care what you say. I won't do it!
- The car won't start.
10. Obligation: shall, in legal documents and contracts
- All payments shall be made in cash.
- The Court shall have authority to demand the presence of witnesses.
11. DISTANCING - When you want to distance yourself from someone:
- I'll have to ask you to wait a minute.
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| derivative of Nina Paley |
12. ANNOYING habit:
- She will keep asking those silly questions.
