Future: will / shall
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In short
We use will + base verb to talk about the future: instant decisions, predictions, promises, offers, and sure future facts (I’ll call you tonight). Shall is a more formal British word, used mainly with I/we for offers and suggestions (Shall I help? Shall we go?).
The rule
Will is a modal verb, so the form is easy and never changes:
- will + base verb - the same for every subject (no -s on he/she/it).
- Short form (very common in speech): ‘ll -> I’ll, you’ll, she’ll, we’ll, they’ll.
- Negative: will not = won’t + base verb.
- Questions: put will first -> Will you come?
We mainly use will for four things:
| Use | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Instant decision | decided now, at the moment of speaking | The phone’s ringing - I’ll get it! |
| Prediction / opinion | what we think or expect (often after I think) | I think it will rain later. |
| Promise / offer | we promise or offer to do something | I’ll help you. I won’t tell anyone. |
| Future fact | something sure about the future | The sun will rise at 6:02 tomorrow. |
Shall (British, quite formal) is used with I and we to make offers and suggestions, almost always as a question:
- Shall I + base verb…? = Do you want me to…? -> Shall I open the window?
- Shall we + base verb…? = Let’s…? / a suggestion -> Shall we go now?
Forms & patterns
Will - all persons (same form):
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | subject + will / ‘ll + base | She will call / She ‘ll call. |
| Negative | subject + won’t + base | They won’t come. |
| Yes/no question | Will + subject + base | Will he like it? |
| Wh- question | Wh- + will + subject + base | When will you arrive? |
| Short answer | Yes/No + subject + will / won’t | Yes, I will. / No, I won’t. |
will vs be going to - both talk about the future, but the reason is different:
| Use will for… | Use be going to for… |
|---|---|
| a decision made now (I’ll have the soup) | a plan you already had (I’m going to visit Mum) |
| a prediction from opinion (You’ll love it) | a prediction from evidence (Look - it’s going to rain) |
Important: after when, if, as soon as, before, after, use the present simple, NOT will, for the future:
- I’ll call you when I arrive. (NOT when I will arrive)
- We’ll start as soon as he’s ready.
(More on this in Zero & first conditional.)
Examples
| English | Note |
|---|---|
| Someone’s at the door - I’ll go. | instant decision made at the moment of speaking. |
| I think you ‘ll pass the exam easily. | prediction / opinion (after I think). |
| Don’t worry, I’ll carry that bag for you. | offer to help. |
| I promise I won’t be late again. | promise in the negative (won’t = will not). |
| It will be sunny in the south tomorrow. | future fact / sure prediction. |
| Will they accept the offer? | yes/no question with will. |
| Shall I make some tea? | British, formal-ish offer with I. |
| Shall we meet at six? | suggestion with we (= Let’s meet at six). |
| Text me when you get home. | present simple after when - not will get. |
Common mistakes
- I will to help you. -> I will help you. - no to after will; use the base verb.
- She will calls you. -> She will call you. - never add -s; will is the same for all subjects.
- I willn’t come. -> I won’t come. - the short negative is won’t; willn’t does not exist. (The full I will not come is correct too, just more emphatic.)
- I’ll call you when I will arrive. -> …when I arrive. - present simple after when/if/as soon as.
- Shall I to open the window? / Will I open the window? -> Shall I open the window? - offers with I/we use Shall + base, no to.
Tips
- Think “decide now -> will; planned before -> going to.” A spur-of-the-moment I’ll… is the classic will.
- In speech, almost everyone says ‘ll and won’t. Saying the full I will can sound heavy or extra-serious (like a strong promise).
- Shall is mostly British and mostly in Shall I…? / Shall we…? You can always use Should I…? or Do you want me to…? instead.
- After time words when / if / as soon as / before / after, the next verb stays in the present, even though you mean the future.