5.1.2: Future with "Will"

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    Future Tense Form-"Will"

    This chart provides a quick reference for forming sentences in affirmative, negative, and question forms using "will". 

    Form Affirmative Negative Question Short Answer Wh-Question
    Subject will + base verb will not / won't + base verb Will + subject + base verb? Subject +Will Wh word+ Will + subject + base verb?
    I will play will not play / won't play Will I play?

    Yes you will.

    No you won't

    		 What will I play?
    You will play will not play / won't play Will you play?

    Yes I will.

    No I won't

    		 When will you play?
    He/She/It will play will not play / won't play Will he/she/it play?

    Yes, he/she/it will.

    No, he/she/it won't

    		 Where will he/she play?
    We will play will not play / won't play Will we play?

    Yes we will.

    No we won't

    		 Why will we play?
    They will play will not play / won't play Will they play?

    Yes they will.

    No they won't

    		 How will they play?

    Meaning: "Will" + Base Form

    Example Conversations:

    • Mother: You need to do your homework, Jack!

        Jack: Yes, Mother. I will do my homework after class

    • Lori: Can you help me with my homework? 

        Sheila: Sure! I will come to your house after school, and we can study together.

    • Waiter: What can I get for you today?

         Lori: I'll have the chicken teriyaki, please.

    • Lori: Do you think our team will win the game?

         Sheila: Yes, I think they will win. 

    Which sentence is used to volunteer for a task? Which sentence is used to make a decision at the moment? Which sentence is used to make a promise? Which sentence is used to make a prediction?

    Answers

    • The first sentence is used to make a promise
    • The second sentence is used to volunteer for a task
    • The third sentence is used to make a quick decision
    • The fourth sentence used to make a prediction
     

    Expressing Future Events with Will

    We use will + the base form of the main verb in these situations.

    Use “Will” Example Explanation
    To talk about things that we think will happen
         		 James will probably study history. I know James is interested in history, so I guess or predict that he will study history in the future.
    For official or formal announcements concerning future events The graduation dinner will take place on June 3rd. Any type of ceremony, including a graduation ceremony, is a formal or important event. Therefore, the use of will is appropriate here.
    For promises or offers related to the future
    (In such cases, we are expressing willingness.)    		 You forgot your wallet. Don't worry. I'll lend you some money.

    That box is heavy. I'll carry it for you.    		 In each case, the speaker is expressing a willingness to help the listener.
    For decisions concerning future events that are made while talking Person A: The car is very dirty.
    Person B: You're right. I'll wash it after lunch.    		 Before this conversation, Person B was not planning to wash the car after lunch. He decided to do so because of something Person A said. In other words, he made his decision to wash the car during the conversation.
    When making serious promises Don't worry. I won't forget to pay you back.

    I'll take care of your house while you're out of the country. Don't worry about a thing.

    I'll never forgive him!    		 In each case, the speaker is expressing a promise to do something in the future.

     

    Exercise 2.1

    Complete the sentences and questions using the future with will. 

    1. When ________________ (you / be) available to meet with me?

    2. ________________ ( the class / be) online or in-person?

    3. The class ________________ (begin) on January 7th.

    4. I ________________ (eat not) any cupcakes until after dinner.

    5. The number of flights ________________  (decrease) after the holidays.

    6. People ________________(take) more time off if wages increase.

    7. Will you be at school tomorrow? Yes, ________________.

    8. Will she arrive tonight? Yes, ________________.

    9. Where ________________( the wedding / take place) ?

    Practice exercise adopted for context from High-Intermediate Academic Grammar for ESL Students-Simple Future licensed by Rebecca Al Haider under CC BY 4.0

    Exercise 2.2

    Fill in the blanks with 'will' (positive) or 'won't' (negative), and the appropriate verb:

    1. I think our team _______________ (win) the game tomorrow.
    2. She ________________ (do) her homework after school.
    3. __________ they ______________ (visit) us later?
    4. We ________________ (need) to borrow money for our project.
    5. He ____________________ (call) you back as soon as he can..
    6. I __________________ (tell / not) anyone your secret. I promise!
    7. _________________ you ________________ (help) me with the project?
    8. It _______________________ (take / not) long to fix the car.
    9. You dropped your pencil under my desk. I __________________ (get) it for you.

    Using "Will+Base Form" with certainly, definitely, probably perhaps and maybe

    The adverbs certainly, definitely, probably, perhaps, and maybe express varying degrees of certainty.

    Highest certainty → certainly, definitely

    Moderate certainty → probably

    Lower certainty → maybe, perhaps

    Placement of Adverbs of Degree of Certainty

    If the main verb is 'to be', the adverbs "Certainly," "Definitely, and "Probably are placed after the verb:

    • It is certainly difficult to learn a new language.
    • He is probably in the living room right now.
    • I am definitely not happy with his behavior.

    The adverbs are placed before the base verb (after "will."). In a negative sentence, the adverbs are placed after "will" and before "not" or before the contraction "won't."

    • She will certainly attend the meeting tomorrow.
    • She certainly won't finish the project on time.
    • I definitely will not forget to call you as soon as I arrive.
    • We will probably go to the beach if the weather is nice.
    • He probably won't arrive on time due to traffic.

    Maybe" and "Perhaps," are placed at the beginning of a sentence:

    • Maybe she will come to the party tonight.
    • Perhaps they will travel abroad next year.

    Exercise 2.3

    Rewrite each sentence by adding the appropriate expression of certainty in parentheses. Make the sentence negative where "not" is added:

    1. She will finish the project on time (certainly).
    2. They will go to the beach if the weather is nice (definitely).
    3. It will rain later this evening (probably).
    4. I will be able to attend the meeting. (definitely, not).
    5. We will attend the conference next week (maybe).
    6. The package will arrive by tomorrow (perhaps).
    7. I will complete the assignment by the deadline (probably, not).
    8. She will be here on time for the meeting ( certainly, not).

    Chart-Future Tense Forms-Will from Grammar Slides for English Learners (Ferguson) is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Sara Ferguson.

    This page titled 5.1.2: Future with "Will" was last modified on Sun, 28 Dec 2025 14:47:35 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Allyson Marceau.