Will Future

A1 · BeginnerFuture Forms

Will is the most flexible way to talk about the future — for guesses, promises, offers, and decisions you make on the spot.

What you'll learn

  • Statements: will + base verb (I will help, she will arrive)
  • Negatives: won't + base verb
  • Questions: Will + subject + base verb
  • Used for predictions, promises, offers, and spontaneous decisions

Predictions and spontaneous decisions

Will is used for predictions about the future (often with think, probably, or I'm sure) and for decisions made right at the moment of speaking, not planned in advance.

"I think it will rain later. (prediction)"
"It's cold — I'll close the window. (decision made now)"

Promises and offers

Will is also the natural choice for making a promise or offering to do something for someone, both decided in the moment.

"I promise I'll call you tonight."
"I'll carry that bag for you."

Form: always the base verb

Will never changes for the subject and is always followed by the base form of the verb — no -s, no -ing, no to.

"She will help. (not: She wills help.)"
"They will arrive soon. (not: They will arriving soon.)"

Real English

"I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything."
"Don't worry, it'll be fine."
"Will you be at the meeting tomorrow?"
"I'm sure she'll understand."

Watch out

✗He wills arrive at noon.
✓He will arrive at noon.

Will never takes -s, even for he/she/it — it stays exactly the same for every subject.

✗I'll helping you carry that.
✓I'll help you carry that.

Will is always followed by the base form of the verb, never the -ing form.

✗Do you will come to the party?
✓Will you come to the party?

Will forms its own questions — it never needs do as a helper.

Real life — Making plans on the phone

"Can you send me the file?"

"Sure, I'll email it right now."

"Great, thanks. And will you be at the meeting later?"

"Yes, I'll be there at three."

Practice

Exercise 1 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 2 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence — a spontaneous decision made right now.

Exercise 3 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 4 · Choose the correct negative

Choose the correct negative.

Exercise 5 · Choose the correct question

Choose the correct question.

Exercise 6 · Choose the correct answer

Which sentence is a promise?

Exercise 7 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 8 · Choose the correct answer

Which sentence makes an offer?

Exercise 9 · Complete the sentence

Complete: 'I think she ___ (will/pass) the exam.' (prediction)

Exercise 10 · Complete the sentence

Complete: '___ you help me with this?' (question with will)

Exercise 11 · Sort into groups

It will probably snow.
I'll answer the phone.
I promise I'll be there.
It will rain later.

0 / 4 sorted

Quick challenge

Five quick questions to check what stuck.

Question 1 / 5

Score: 0/0

Choose the correct sentence.

You learned

  • Will + base verb is used for predictions, promises, offers, and spontaneous decisions.
  • Will never changes form and is always followed by the base verb.
  • Negatives use won't; questions put will before the subject.
  • Will doesn't need do as a helper in questions or negatives.

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