00 / Verbs & Tenses
Future with 'will' and 'shall'
The future with 'will' and 'shall' is used to express predictions, spontaneous decisions, and offers. It is a fundamental structure for talking about events that happen after the present moment.
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01 / Overview
The modal verb will is used to talk about the future in several ways. It expresses a prediction about what we think will happen, or a spontaneous decision made at the moment of speaking. Shall is a more formal alternative, primarily used in the first person (I/we) to make offers or suggestions.
02 / Form
subject + will/shall + base verb
The form is the same for all subjects. Use the base form of the verb without 'to'. In spoken English, 'will' is usually contracted to 'll.
- Positive: Subject + will + verb
- Negative: Subject + will not (won't) + verb
- Question: Will + subject + verb?
03 / Examples
04 / Will vs. Shall
In modern English, will is the standard choice for most future contexts. Shall is mostly restricted to polite questions in the first person.
| Feature | Will | Shall |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | All subjects (I, you, he, etc.) | Mainly I and We |
| Register | Neutral / Standard | Formal / Polite |
| Function | Predictions and decisions | Offers and suggestions |
05 / Practice
Complete the sentence: I'm thirsty. I ___ (buy) a drink.
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Answer: will buy
Why: This is a spontaneous decision made at the moment of speaking, so 'will' is used.
Make this sentence a question: They will arrive at noon.
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Answer: Will they arrive at noon?
Why: To form a question, move 'will' to the beginning of the sentence before the subject.
Change to the negative: We will see the movie.
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Answer: We will not see the movie / We won't see the movie
Why: The negative is formed by adding 'not' after 'will', often contracted to 'won't'.