Will: Predictions, Decisions and Offers

Level: A2. Will is one of the most useful ways to talk about the future in English. It is a modal verb: will plus the base form of another verb, and it looks the same for every subject.

The rule

Will is a modal verb — a small helping verb that adds meaning to a main verb. Like other modals (can, must), it is followed by the base verb: the plain dictionary form with no ending and no to. So the pattern is always will + base verb: I will go, she will help, they will win.

The form never changes. There is no extra -s for he / she / it: say she will come, not she wills come. In speech and informal writing, will usually becomes ’ll (I’ll, you’ll, she’ll, we’ll, they’ll). The negative is will not, almost always shortened to won’t.

Use will for four main jobs:

1. Predictions — what you think or expect will happen: “It will rain tomorrow.”
2. Instant decisions — a choice you make at the moment of speaking: “I’m cold. I’ll close the window.”
3. Offers — doing something to help: “That bag looks heavy. I’ll carry it.”
4. Promises — committing to do something: “I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

Forms

Short answers use will / won’t without the main verb: “Will you come?” — “Yes, I will.” / “No, I won’t.”

How to say it

• ’ll is a very light sound joined to the subject: I’ll sounds like “aisle”, we’ll like “wheel”, he’ll like “heel”. Native speakers almost always use it in speech.
• won’t rhymes with “don’t” (not with “want”); keep the vowel long and rounded so it is clearly different from want.
• In will, the i is short, as in fill.

Example sentences

Common mistakes

• ❌ I will to go home. → ✅ I will go home. Never put to after will; use the bare base verb.
• ❌ She wills help you. → ✅ She will help you. Will has no -s for he / she / it.
• ❌ I will going to the party. → ✅ I will go to the party. After will, use the base verb, not -ing or going.
• ❌ I will not to tell. → ✅ I won’t tell. The negative is will not / won’t + base verb.
• ❌ We will meeting tomorrow. (already arranged) → ✅ We’re meeting tomorrow. For fixed arrangements, use the present continuous, not will.
• ❌ What you will do? → ✅ What will you do? In questions, will comes before the subject.

A short conversation

A: The bags are really heavy. B: Don’t worry — I’ll carry the big one for you. A: Thanks! Do you think it will rain later? B: Maybe. I’ll bring an umbrella just in case.

Usage notes

• Contractions are normal. In speech use ’ll and won’t. The full will not is emphatic or formal: “I will not accept that.”
• Signal words. tomorrow, next week, soon, later, tonight, in the future, probably, I think, I’m sure, maybe, perhaps often appear with will.
• Softening a prediction. Add I think, probably, maybe or perhaps when you are not certain: “I think it’ll be fine.” Note probably goes before won’t but after will: “It will probably rain” / “It probably won’t rain.”
• Requests and invitations. Will you…? can be a request (“Will you open the window?”) or an invitation (“Will you join us?”).

Compared with…

• Going to is for plans and intentions you have already decided, and for predictions based on present evidence. “I’m going to study medicine” (a decision already made) vs “I’ll study tonight” (deciding now). “Look at those clouds — it’s going to rain” (evidence you can see) vs “I think it will rain tomorrow” (an opinion). See Going to: Plans and Predictions.
• Present continuous for the future is for fixed arrangements with another person or a set time: “I’m meeting Sam at six” (arranged). Use will for a decision made in the moment, not for a diary plan: “I’ll meet you later” (deciding now). See Present Continuous for Future Arrangements.

Quick recap before you practise.

Practice

Quiz

Recap cheat-sheet

Next

• Next grammar topic: Present Continuous for Future Arrangements
• Back to the English grammar section
• New here? Start with Start Learning English Here