Will: decisions, offers and predictions
Use will for decisions at the moment of speaking, offers, promises and predictions based on opinion.
In this lesson you will
- Form will / won’t + verb
- Use will for instant decisions, offers and promises
- Choose between will and going to
Learn
Form: will (’ll) + base verb, the same for all persons. Negative: won’t (will not). Question: Will you…?
Instant decisions: The phone’s ringing. — I’ll answer it! Offers: I’ll carry that for you. Promises: I won’t tell anyone. Requests: Will you help me?
Predictions based on opinion (often with I think, probably, maybe): I think it’ll be a great party.
will vs going to: decided now → will; decided before → going to. A: We need milk. B: I’ll get some. vs I’m going to buy milk after work (already planned).
Examples
- I’m cold. — I’ll close the window.
- Don’t worry, I won’t be late.
- I think robots will do many jobs in the future.
- Will you marry me?
Vocabulary
promise
say you will definitely do something
offer
say you are willing to do something
probably
very likely
definitely
certainly
decide
choose
Practice
It’s dark in here. — ___ turn on the light.
Speaking
Make predictions about your life and the world in 2040. Use I think… will…, … probably won’t…, and definitely.
Writing
Write five offers or promises you could make to a new colleague or classmate.
Lesson quiz
The doorbell! — ___ go.
Review
Key points
- will/won’t + base verb for all persons.
- Instant decisions, offers, promises, requests.
- Predictions based on opinion.
- Planned before → going to.
What you learned
- ✓ I can use will correctly.
- ✓ I can make offers and promises.
- ✓ I can choose between will and going to.
Grammar reference: Future forms: will, going to, present continuous