Virtuous English AcademyWill and Won't: The Future in English (A2)
- #A2
- #Grammar
- #Rules
- #Examples
Will and won't express predictions, promises, offers and decisions made at the moment of speaking. This lesson shows how they differ from going to and how to use them naturally.
Will is the most flexible future form in English. It makes predictions, expresses spontaneous decisions, offers help, gives promises and states facts about the future. Because it is a modal verb, it never changes form: I will, she will, they will — no -s, no auxiliary, no complication.
The negative is will not, contracted to won't. That contraction looks irregular because it is — it descends from an older form wol not rather than from will not directly. It is worth noting simply so that the spelling stops looking like a mistake.
In speech, will is almost always contracted to 'll after a pronoun: I'll, you'll, she'll, we'll. Learning to hear and produce those contractions matters, because the full form sounds emphatic and slightly formal in ordinary conversation.
How to form Will and Won't
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | subject + will + base verb | I will call you. |
| Contraction | subject + 'll + base verb | I'll call you. |
| Negative | subject + won't + base verb | She won't agree. |
| Question | will + subject + base verb | Will they come? |
| Short answer (yes) | Yes, + subject + will | Yes, they will. |
| Short answer (no) | No, + subject + won't | No, they won't. |
Will and Won't: the key rules
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Will + base verb makes predictions and states future facts.
Prices will rise next year. She'll be twenty in May.
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Use will for instant decisions made while speaking.
It's cold — I'll close the window.
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Will also carries offers and promises.
I'll help you with those bags. I won't tell anyone.
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The negative is will not → won't; questions invert: Will you…?
Will you be at home tonight? — I won't be back before nine.
When to use Will and Won't
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Spontaneous decisions
Decisions made at the moment of speaking, which is where will is irreplaceable.
It's cold in here. I'll close the window.
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Predictions and opinions about the future
Often with I think, I'm sure, probably or maybe, because the prediction rests on belief.
I think prices will rise next year.
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Offers and promises
Volunteering to do something, or committing yourself to it.
I'll help you with that. I promise I won't tell anyone.
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Refusals with won't
Won't often expresses unwillingness rather than simple future negation — including for objects.
He won't listen to me. The car won't start.
will vs. going to for predictions
Both predict, but the basis for the prediction differs, and native speakers hear that difference clearly.
will — based on opinion
What you believe, think or expect. Common with I think, I'm sure, probably.
I think it will be a good year for the company.
going to — based on evidence
Something visible right now points to the outcome.
Look at those figures — the company is going to have a good year.
Will and Won't in example sentences
- I'll send you the details this evening.A promise, contracted in normal speech.
- She'll be thirty next month.A future fact, not a decision.
- They won't be back before nine.won't as the negative contraction.
- Will you help me carry this?A request formed with will.
- I think it will be quieter tomorrow.Prediction based on opinion, with I think.
- Don't worry, I won't forget.A promise in the negative.
- The door won't open.won't expressing refusal by an object.
- If it rains, we'll take a taxi.will in the result clause of a first conditional.
Will and Won't in a real conversation
Notice which future forms mark on-the-spot decisions and which mark plans made earlier.
Marek:The printer isn't working again.
Alina:I'll have a look at it in a minute.
Marek:Thanks. Do you think it will need replacing?
Alina:Probably. It won't last another year.
Marek:I'm going to ask for a new one in the budget meeting.
Alina:Good idea. I'll write down the model number for you.
Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
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He wills call you later.
He will call you later.
Will is a modal — it never takes -s.
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I will to see you soon.
I will see you soon.
After will comes the bare verb, without to.
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I'm going to answer it! (the phone suddenly rings)
I'll answer it!
A decision made at that instant takes will, not going to.
Practise Will and Won't today
The decision-timing distinction is the skill worth drilling here.
- Write four offers beginning I'll for situations a friend might be struggling with.
- Make five predictions about next year, each starting I think or I'm sure.
- Choose will or going to: The bag is heavy — I ___ carry it. / I ___ start a course in May.
- Write three promises in the negative using won't.
Will and Won't: frequently asked questions
Why is the negative won't rather than willn't?
Because it comes from a different historical form. Middle English had a variant wol alongside will, and wol not contracted to won't, which then survived while the wol form itself disappeared. The result is a contraction that no longer looks connected to its full form. It is purely a historical accident, and won't is simply memorised as the negative of will.
Is shall still used for the future?
Rarely, and mainly in British English. The old rule that shall goes with I and we for the plain future is essentially dead in modern usage. Shall survives in two live contexts: offers and suggestions in questions — Shall I open the window? Shall we go? — and in formal legal or contractual writing, where it expresses obligation. For ordinary future statements, use will.
Can I use will after if?
Not in the if clause of a normal conditional. English uses the present simple there and will in the result clause: If it rains, we will stay in — never If it will rain. Will can follow if when it means be willing to, as in the polite If you will follow me, please, but that is a different meaning and much rarer. For A2 purposes, keep will out of the if clause.
What is the difference between I'll and I'm going to for plans?
I'll signals that you are deciding as you speak, while I'm going to signals that the decision was already made. If someone tells you the office is out of coffee, I'll buy some is natural because you decide right then. I'm going to buy some would suggest you had already planned to. When talking about arrangements you made earlier, going to or the present continuous is the better choice.