Will

Definition

The term 'will' is a modal auxiliary verb used to indicate future actions or intentions. It expresses determination, promises, or predictions about what is likely to happen. As a helper verb, 'will' plays a crucial role in forming future tenses, showing how it connects to expressing time and the nuances of reported speech.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. 'Will' is used to create the future simple tense, indicating actions that are expected or planned to occur after the present time.
2. In promises or offers, 'will' conveys a strong sense of intent or commitment, making it a key part of social interactions.
3. 'Will' can also express willingness or determination, such as in sentences like 'I will help you.'
4. In reported speech, when changing present tense statements to past tense, 'will' typically changes to 'would'.
5. 'Will' is unique among modal verbs as it does not change form for different subjects; it remains the same regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural.

Review Questions

• How does 'will' function as a modal verb in expressing future intentions?
  • 'Will' serves as a modal auxiliary verb that expresses future intentions by indicating what someone plans to do. For example, in the sentence 'I will study tomorrow,' 'will' shows a clear intention for an action that is set to occur in the future. It allows speakers to convey certainty about their plans and commitments.
• Discuss how 'will' changes in reported speech when conveying future actions that were originally stated in the present.
  • 'Will' changes to 'would' when converting direct speech into reported speech. For instance, if someone says, 'I will go to the store,' in reported speech it would become, 'He said he would go to the store.' This transformation reflects how future intentions are expressed in relation to past reporting, ensuring clarity about when the actions are intended to take place.
• Evaluate the impact of using 'will' versus other modal verbs in conveying future actions and intentions.
  • Using 'will' generally conveys a stronger sense of determination and certainty about future actions compared to other modal verbs like 'may' or 'might', which suggest possibility rather than certainty. When someone uses 'will', it signals a clear intention and commitment, making it especially effective for promises or decisions. In contrast, opting for modals like 'may' can imply uncertainty or less assertiveness regarding future events, illustrating how different modals can shape meaning and tone in communication.

Related terms

Shall:

A modal verb traditionally used with the first person to indicate future action, often seen as more formal or less common in modern usage compared to 'will'.

Future Simple Tense: A verb tense that describes actions that will happen in the future, typically formed using 'will' followed by the base form of the main verb.

Reported Speech: A way of conveying what someone else has said without quoting them directly, often requiring changes in verb tense, including the use of 'will' in shifting to past forms.