You see a problem. You decide to act. You speak at the same time. English uses will for this.

Without a decision	With a decision made right now
The phone rings.	I’ll get it.
The bag is heavy.	I’ll take it.
The soup looks good.	I’ll have the soup.

Other future forms do other jobs. Lesson 13 teaches the Present Simple after if and when. Lesson 21 teaches the Present Continuous for arranged plans. Lesson 58 teaches plans made before you speak.

The Future Simple has three jobs in this lesson. In each one, you decide right now.

The form is the same for every subject. Use will + the base verb. Do not add -s or to.

Subject	Positive	Negative
I	I will call. / I’ll call.	I won’t call.
you / we / they	We will call. / We’ll call.	We won’t call.
he / she / it	She will call. / She’ll call.	She won’t call.

Won’t is short for will not. Speakers use ’ll and won’t almost all the time.

To ask someone to do something, put will before the subject. This is a request.

To ask what to decide, use a question word: What will we do now?

Lesson 54 taught the step-back chart. Will also steps back when the reporting verb is in the past. It becomes would.

Read the sentence. Click its job.

• 1
  Your friend has heavy bags. You say: “I’ll take them for you.”

  Offer Promise Decision

  ✓ Correct — You see a need and offer to do something for another person. Use will.
• 2
  Your friend asks you to keep a secret. You say: “I won’t tell anyone.”

  Offer Promise Decision

  ✓ Correct — You promise to do (or not do) something. Use will or won’t.
• 3
  You read the menu. You say: “I’ll have the soup.”

  Offer Promise Decision

  ✓ Correct — You choose what to do, right now, for yourself. Use will.
• 4
  You see a friend struggle with a jar. You say: “I’ll open it.”

  Offer Promise Decision

  ✓ Correct — You see a need and offer to do something for another person. Use will.
• 5
  You were late again. You say: “I won’t be late next time.”

  Offer Promise Decision

  ✓ Correct — You promise to do (or not do) something. Use will or won’t.
• 6
  Your coworker is busy and the phone rings. You say: “I’ll get it.”

  Offer Promise Decision

  ✓ Correct — You see a need and offer to do something for another person. Use will.
• 7
  The shirts are red and blue. You say: “I’ll take the blue one.”

  Offer Promise Decision

  ✓ Correct — You choose what to do, right now, for yourself. Use will.
• 8
  Your friend worries. You say: “I’ll always call you. I promise.”

  Offer Promise Decision

  ✓ Correct — You promise to do (or not do) something. Use will or won’t.

Type the correct form of will for the verb given.

• 1
  You look tired. I you a cup of tea. (make)
• 2
  I promise I late again. (not be)
• 3
  The phone is ringing. I it. (get)
• 4
  There is no milk. I to the store. (go)
• 5
  I promise I your secret to anyone. (not tell)
• 6
  It is cold in here. I the window. (close)
• 7
  “I’ll call you.” She said she me. (call)
• 8
  The bag looks heavy. I it for you. (take)

Type the negative form with won’t for the verb given.

• 1
  I promise I your secret. (not tell)
• 2
  I your birthday. I promise. (not forget)
• 3
  Don’t worry. I late. (not be)
• 4
  I am too tired. I the car today. (not drive)
• 5
  I promise I the money. (not lose)
• 6
  I’m sorry. It happen again. (not happen)
• 7
  I promise I your book. (not take)
• 8
  I am full. I dessert. (not have)

Type the missing words of speaker B’s question, using the words given.

• 1
  A: The window is stuck.
  B: it, please? (you / open)
• 2
  A: We need chairs.
  B: some from the garage, please? (you / bring)
• 3
  A: We need milk.
  B: some, please? (you / buy)
• 4
  A: I’m going out.
  B: me when you arrive? (you / call)
• 5
  A: I’m not ready.
  B: for me, please? (you / wait)
• 6
  A: I need the file.
  B: it to me? (you / send)
• 7
  A: It’s cold in here.
  B: the door, please? (you / close)
• 8
  A: The store is closed.
  B: What now? (we / do)

Click the form that completes the sentence.

• 1
  The phone is ringing. it.

  I’ll get I get

  ✓ Correct — You decide right now. Use will + the base verb (I’ll ...).
• 2
  Your friend asks for a secret. I promise I anyone.

  won’t tell don’t tell

  ✓ Correct — You promise right now. Use won’t for “not.”
• 3
  The bag looks heavy. it for you.

  I take I’ll take

  ✓ Correct — You decide right now. Use will + the base verb (I’ll ...).
• 4
  you close the door, please?

  Do Will

  ✓ Correct — Will you ...? asks someone to do something. Use Will + you + the base verb.
• 5
  “I’ll bring it.” → He said he it.

  will bring would bring

  ✓ Correct — In a report, will steps back to would (lesson 54).
• 6
  The soup looks great. the soup.

  I’ll have I have

  ✓ Correct — You decide right now. Use will + the base verb (I’ll ...).
• 7
  I promise I late again.

  won’t be not will be

  ✓ Correct — You promise right now. Use won’t for “not.”
• 8
  It is cold in here. I the window.

  will closing ’ll close

  ✓ Correct — You decide right now. Use will + the base verb (I’ll ...).

Read each question. Choose the sentence that matches.

• The idea: you decide right now, because of what you see or hear.
• Form: will + base verb. Short forms: ’ll and won’t.
• Offer: you see a need and offer to do something (I’ll take it).
• Promise: you promise right now (I won’t tell anyone).
• Decision: you choose right now (I’ll have the soup).
• Request: Will you open the window, please?
• In a report: will steps back to would (lesson 54).

✓ Mark this lesson complete