The Future is easier than you think 🙂 An analysis of ”will” & ”will not”

Learning Goals

We will learn here how to use will and will not to talk about future plans, predictions and spontaneous decisions.
We will also talk about travel and everyday routines in the future.

Grammar Corner

The future tense is much simpler than most English students believe! Yes, there are informal terms like ”gonna”, but it’s much more proper and easier (!) to just use Will and Will not when you speak.

Form: How the future is made

Positive: Subject + will + base verb. For example, I will take the train next Monday.

Negative: Subject + will not / won’t + base verb. For example, María Paz will not go to the lake tomorrow.

Question: Will + subject + base verb?. For example, Will you pack your suitcase tonight, man?

When do we use will?

Predictions (things we think will happen): It will rain in London next week.
Spontaneous decisions (decided at the moment of speaking): I am so hungry! I will order a sandwich.
Offers and promises: Don’t worry – I will help you with your luggage.

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First Exercise – Fill in the blanks

Complete the sentences with will or will not / won’t and the verb in brackets.

Tomorrow morning I __________ (catch) the 7:30 bus to the local airport.
She __________ (not / forget) her passport this time!
__________ you __________ (book) a hotel near the bus station?
We __________ (not / eat) in the hotel restaurant; it’s too expensive.
Look at those dark clouds over there! It __________ (rain) soon.
Don’t worry about the tickets. I __________ (buy) them online tonight.
He __________ (not / get up) early on holiday. He hates mornings.
__________ we __________ (see) the cows at the farm this afternoon, mom?

Second Exercise – Multiple choice

Choose the best option to complete each sentence.

I think the flight __________ delayed because of the weather.

a) will be b) will c) won’t be d) will not

“The taxi is here!” – “OK, I __________ my bag and come.”

a) will get b) get c) will not get d) getting

She __________ the early train; she prefers to sleep longer.

a) will take b) won’t take c) takes d) will not

__________ you help me carry these suitcases upstairs?

a) Will b) Do c) Are d) Don’t

We __________ at a campsite. We prefer hotels.

a) will stay b) stay c) won’t stay d) will not

I’m sure you __________ a great time in Barcelona!

a) will have b) have c) won’t have d) will not

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Answer Key (check here when you are done)

Exercise 1: 1. will catch 2. will not / won’t forget 3. Will … book 4. will not / won’t eat 5. will rain 6. will buy 7. will not / won’t get up 8. Will … visit

Exercise 2: 1. a 2. a 3. b 4. a 5. c 6. a