Future simple formula
Will doesn't change for he, she or it, and it is always followed by the base verb with no to.
Shall is used mainly in British English with I and we, for offers and suggestions: "Shall I open the window?" "Shall we start?"
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | will ('ll) + base verb | She will (she'll) help you. |
| Negative | will not (won't) + base verb | She won't help you. |
| Question | Will + subject + base verb? | Will she help you? |
When to use will
Predictions, often with I think, probably or I'm sure: "I think prices will rise next year."
Decisions made at the moment of speaking: "It's cold. I'll close the window."
Promises: "I'll pay you back on Friday."
Offers and requests: "I'll carry that for you." "Will you help me with this?"
Future facts: "The new metro line will open in March."
Signal words include tomorrow, next week, soon, in two years, probably, perhaps and I think.
Will, going to or the present continuous?
English has several ways to talk about the future. Will is not the only one, and it is often not the most natural.
| Form | Main use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| will | Prediction from opinion; a decision made now | I'll have the tea, please. |
| be going to | A plan made earlier; a prediction from evidence | I'm going to apply for a master's. |
| Present continuous | A fixed arrangement with a time | I'm meeting the advisor at three. |
| Present simple | Timetables; after when, if, before | The bus leaves at 8. Call me when you land. |
Common mistakes
Wrong: I will call you when I will reach home.
Right: I will call you when I reach home.
After when, use the present simple for a future meaning.
Wrong: Will you to come to my party?
Right: Will you come to my party?
Will is followed by the base verb without to.
Wrong: She wills finish the work today.
Right: She will finish the work today.
Will never takes -s.
Wrong: I will meeting the manager tomorrow.
Right: I will meet the manager tomorrow. / I'm meeting the manager tomorrow.
Will takes the base verb; a fixed arrangement can also use the present continuous.
Using this in IELTS and PTE
In IELTS Writing Task 1, charts with future projections need future forms, and varied ones read better: "The figure will rise", "is expected to reach", "is projected to fall". In IELTS Speaking Part 3, will helps with predictions about society ("I think more people will work from home"). In both IELTS and PTE Write Essay, softening predictions with probably or likely sounds more academic than certainty.
5 questions
Exercise
Try each one, then open it to check your answer.
1. Complete this: "I'm sure you ___ (pass) the exam."
will pass
A prediction based on opinion takes will.
2. Make this negative: "They will arrive on time."
They won't arrive on time.
Won't is the short form of will not.
3. Complete this: "As soon as the results ___ (come) out, I'll tell you."
come
After as soon as, use the present simple, not will.
4. Choose: "The doorbell's ringing. (I'll / I'm going to) get it."
I'll
The decision is made at the moment of speaking.
5. Make an offer with shall: I / help you with your bags?
Shall I help you with your bags?
Shall with I makes an offer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula of the future simple tense?+
Subject + will + base verb, the same for every subject. Negative: will not (won't). Question: Will + subject + base verb?
Is will a tense?+
School grammars call will + verb the future simple tense. Many linguists say English has no true future tense, because will is a modal verb. For learners, both views describe the same form.
When should I use shall instead of will?+
In modern English, shall is mainly used with I and we in questions that offer or suggest: "Shall I...?" "Shall we...?" Elsewhere, will is normal.
Why can't I use will after when or if?+
In time and condition clauses, English uses the present simple for the future: "If it rains, we'll stay in." Will goes in the main clause.
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