Will: 7 Uses

Introduction

I often hear my students say: “Will means the future.”  Whilst, this is partly true, ‘will’ means much more!  In this week’s blog I present seven…yes, that’s right… seven key uses of will.

The Grammar Part

Will is a modal auxiliary verb.  We use it to make questions, give short answers, make tags.  As a modal verb, it also has both intrinsic (special and unique) meanings as well as extrinsic meaning (commonly shared across all modal verbs).

The negative form is will not, or won’t.  It never changes, so there is no third person ‘s’.

In spoken English, it becomes ‘ll  /əl/

Your Seven Key Uses

1. To make instant decisions and spontaneous plans

When we make a quick decision, normally at the same time as we are speaking.

For example, in a restaurant:

✔️  Waiter: “What would you like to eat?”

✔️  Customer: “Mmmm…I think I’ll have the steak.”

Or in a hotel kitchen:

✔️ “There is no fish!  I’ll buy some later when I go to the market.”

2. To make predictions

We also use “will” to talk about what we think will happen in the future.

✔️ “I think it’ll rain tonight.  Let’s move the cocktail masterclass indoors.”

Note: for “negative” predictions, make the “think” negative, not the “will”:

✔️ “I don’t think it’ll rain tonight.  Let’s organise the open-air cinema.”

3. Future Facts

✔️ “Next year, Christmas Day will be on a Sunday.”

✔️ “Next week, Saturday will be a holiday.”

4. To make promises

✔️ “I will always love you!”

✔️ “I won’t leave you on your own at reception today, I promise.”

5. Offers

✔️ “Please wait.  I will carry your bags for you, madam.”

✔️ “I’ll help you with your dinner reservation.”

6. Threats

✔️ “If you don’t stop making so much noise, I’ll call the police!”

✔️ “I’ll get the manager if you don’t stop shouting at me.”

7. Requests (informal)

✔️ “Will you close the window?”

✔️ “Will you bring me my luggage?”

Compare to its more formal brother, ‘would’.

I hope this week’s blog has shown you that there is much more to will than simply ‘the future.’

Want to know more?  Email us hello@thegrammargoat.com to book your online English course today! 🐐