WILL

We use the modal verb will + main verb to talk about the future. Modals are used by the speaker/writer to indicate their feelings about the proposition that they are making. When using the modal will, they are expressing intentionality or certainty.

In speech and informal writing will is often shortened to ‘ll for affirmative or won’t for negative

We use will to:

Make predictions or express certainty about the future.

Humans will land on the moon again in the next 10 years.

The sun will rise tomorrow.

Make offers or suggestions.

I’ll help you with your bags.

He’ll get that for you.

Make promises, requests, warnings, or threats.

We’ll help you paint your house.

Do your homework or you’ll get a bad grade in the class.

Talk about a decision made spontaneously at the time of speaking.

Oh no, the car is almost out of gas. I’ll stop here and fill up.

Talk about what people want to do or are willing to do.

Will you help him with his math homework?

Sure I’ll help him.

* The following questions focus more on the use of will to make predictions about the future. This is because most books focus specifically on this use of will.*


Will questions

  1. What will your life be like in 5 years?
  2. How will communication change in the future?
  3. What do you think the world will look like in 50 years?
  4. Will you ever go sky diving? Why or why not?
  5. How will entertainment change in the future?
  6. What will transportation look like in the future?
  7. What will you do when you retire?
  8. Will robots become part of daily life in the future? Why or why not?
  9. Will the future be better or worse than the present? Why or why not?
  10. What will video games be like in 7 years?
  11. What will happen to privacy in the future?
  12. Will alternative energy technologies solve the world’s energy problems? Why or why not?
  13. Where will humans explore next?
  14. What will have the biggest impact on you in the near future?
  15. Will humans ever colonize another solar system? Why or why not?
  16. What company will change society the most? Will it be a good change or bad change?
  17. Will the borders of countries be more open or more closed in the future?
  18. What will happen if the world’s population keeps increasing at its current rate?