What Will Is For
Will talks about things that have not happened yet. It is followed by the base verb — the form you find in a dictionary: go, help, be.
PREDICTIONWhat you think will happen
Nobody knows for sure — the speaker is guessing.
I think it will be sunny tomorrow.
The speaker is guessing about tomorrow's weather.
INSTANT DECISIONDecided while speaking
Until the other person spoke, there was no plan at all.
There's no milk. — OK, I'll buy some after work.
The speaker decides to buy milk while answering.
PROMISEwon't = will not
I won't forget your birthday this year.
A promise about something the speaker will not do.
Will + base verb, for every subject. It is I will, she will, they will, and the verb after will stays in the base form.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Dinner's ready!" — "OK, down in a minute."
- Question 2
"Wear a jacket. It windy on the boat."
The forms
POSITIVE
SwillV
We'll wait for you at the gate.
The same will for every subject. In speech it shortens to 'll.
NEGATIVE
Swon'tV
She won't be home before ten.
Won't is will not, shortened. No don't or doesn't anywhere.
QUESTION
WillSV?
Will Minh be at the party?
Will moves in front of the subject. Short answers: Yes, he will. / No, he won't.
WH- QUESTION
Wh-willSV?
What time will you get home?
The question word first, then will, then the subject.
SHORT FORMS
- I willI'll
- they willthey'll
- it willit'll
- will notwon't
'll joins the subject · will not → won't
He will come, not he will comes. Before an adjective, that base verb is be: The trip will be fun.
People often start a prediction with I think: I think she'll like the gift. Probably goes after will but before won't: He'll probably be late · He probably won't be late.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"My parents us at the airport."
- Question 2
"I'm sorry. I do it again."
- Question 3
" the bus be late again today?"
When to use will
Predictions
I think our team will win on Sunday.
What you believe will happen, often with I think or probably.
Signal words: I think … will · I don't think … will · probably
Instant decisions
Tea or coffee? — I'll have tea, please.
Before the question you had not chosen; the answer is the decision.
Signal words: OK, I'll… · Then I'll… · I'll have…
Offers
Your bags look heavy. I'll carry one.
Offering to do something without waiting to be asked.
Signal words: I'll help · I'll get it · I'll take you
Promises
I'll call you tonight.
Promising to do something — or, with won't, not to.
Signal words: I promise · I won't be late · I won't tell
Will vs. be going to
Both talk about the future. The difference is when you made the decision.
| WILL | BE GOING TO | |
|---|---|---|
| decisions | Made now: OK, I'll ask the teacher. | Made earlier: I'm going to ask for a day off on Friday. |
| predictions | Opinion: I think prices will go up. | Something you can see: Look! That glass is going to fall. |
| offers and promises | I'll lend you my notes. | not usually used |
Decided just now → will. Decided before → going to.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"My head hurts." — "Sit down. you some water."
- Question 2
"Why did you buy paint?" — " the kitchen this weekend."
Common mistakes
Incorrect:I will to send you the photos.
Correct:I will send you the photos.
Will is never followed by to; the verb comes straight after it.
Incorrect:He will comes back on Monday.
Correct:He will come back on Monday.
Will is the same for every subject, so the verb after it takes no -s.
Incorrect:I'm will help you with your homework.
Correct:I'll help you with your homework.
Will does not go with am, is or are; I'm means I am, and I'll means I will.
Incorrect:My parents don't will agree.
Correct:My parents won't agree.
Will makes its own negative with not, which shortens to won't; it does not borrow don't.
Incorrect:When you will finish?
Correct:When will you finish?
In a question, will goes in front of the subject, straight after the question word.
Incorrect:I will can help you tomorrow.
Correct:I can help you tomorrow.
Will and can never stand side by side. For something you are able to do tomorrow, can on its own is enough.
Quick check · 7 questions
Choose the correct form:
Don't worry about the bags. My brother will take them to the car.
- A. will take — Correct
- B. will to take
- C. will taking
Answer: A. will take
Take stays in its dictionary form. Do not add to or -ing.
Choose the correct form:
Ms Hạnh will call you back this afternoon.
- A. will call — Correct
- B. will calls
- C. wills call
Answer: A. will call
With he, she or a name like Ms Hạnh, will does not change, and the verb after it takes no -s.
Choose the correct negative:
The dog is friendly. It won't bite you.
- A. won't bite — Correct
- B. doesn't will bite
- C. won't bites
Answer: A. won't bite
Will makes its own negative with not (will not → won't) and never borrows do or does. The verb after won't stays in the base form.
Choose the correct question order:
Where will you stay in Hội An?
- A. will you — Correct
- B. you will
- C. do you will
Answer: A. will you
A question word is followed by will, then the subject, then the verb: Where will you stay?
The room feels cold. Choose the best reply:
It's cold in here. — OK, I'll close the window.
- A. I'll close — Correct
- B. I close
- C. I'm close
Answer: A. I'll close
You decide to close the window when you hear the problem, so you use will. I close is the present simple, and I'm close means "I am near".
Choose the correct form:
I think tomorrow's test will be easy.
- A. will be — Correct
- B. will
- C. is will
Answer: A. will be
Easy is an adjective, not a verb. Will needs a verb after it, and here that verb is be.
Your family planned the trip last month. Choose the correct sentence:
"We're going to visit Đà Lạt in December. We decided last month."
- A. We're going to visit — Correct
- B. We'll visit
- C. We going to visit
Answer: A. We're going to visit
The trip was decided last month, so use be going to. We'll visit sounds like a new idea. C is missing are.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 12 questions
