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1 The Big Idea
What You Think Will Happen
📘 Level 4 — Future Simple — Lesson 2

A prediction says what you think will happen. You do not plan it. You do not decide it. It is your opinion about the future.

I think prices will rise next year.
Scientists believe the oceans will get warmer.
(These are opinions about the future. They are predictions.)
A decision (lesson 56)A prediction (this lesson)
You choose now. “I’ll take the blue one.”You think so. “It will be sunny tomorrow.”
You act. “I’ll open the window.”You expect. “Prices will rise.”
Your opinion about the future → will + base verb.
The form is the same as in lesson 56. The meaning is different.
2 Signal Words
Phrases That Show an Opinion

Look for a phrase that shows an opinion. It often comes before the prediction.

Your own opinion
  • I think technology will change the way we work.
  • I believe cities will become cleaner.
  • I expect the test will be hard.
  • I’m sure you will love this book.
  • In my opinion, remote work will become normal.
Other people’s opinion
  • Experts say prices will rise.
  • Scientists believe the oceans will get warmer.
  • Doctors expect she will get well soon.
  • People say the new store will open in May.
  • Teachers think the exam will be easy.

Future time words often appear with predictions: tomorrow, next year, soon, in ten years, in 2050.

3 Adverbs
Probably, Definitely, and Certainly

These words show how sure you are. They go between will and the base verb.

subject + will + probably + base verb
  • It will probably rain tomorrow.
  • She will definitely pass the exam.
  • They will certainly find a solution.
  • He will probably be late.
  • We will definitely see you there.

In a negative sentence, the adverb goes before won’t.

  • It probably won’t rain.
  • She definitely won’t agree.
  • They certainly won’t win.
  • He probably won’t come.
  • We definitely won’t be late.
4 Negatives and Questions
Saying No and Asking

Use I don’t think + will for a negative opinion. The negative goes on think.

  • I don’t think he will win.
  • I don’t think it will be easy.
  • I don’t think prices will fall.
  • I doubt she will agree.
  • I doubt the team will score.

Doubt already has a negative meaning. So use will after it, not won’t.

To ask about a prediction, put will before the subject.

  • Will it rain tomorrow?
  • Will he get the job?
  • Will you like the movie?
  • How much will it cost?
  • How warm will it get?
5 Common Mistakes
Watch Out For These
❌ Mistake 1 — Present Simple for a prediction
✗ I think it rains tomorrow.
✗ Experts say prices rise next year.
✓ I think it will rain tomorrow.
✓ Experts say prices will rise next year.
A prediction about the future needs will + the base verb.
❌ Mistake 2 — -s, “to”, or -ing after will
✗ Prices will rises.
✗ The team will to win.
✗ She will winning.
✓ Prices will rise.
✓ The team will win.
✓ She will win.
After will, use the base verb only.
❌ Mistake 3 — Adverb in the wrong place
✗ She will be probably late.
✗ They will win definitely.
✓ She will probably be late.
✓ They will definitely win.
Put the adverb between will and the base verb.
❌ Mistake 4 — Two negatives
✗ I don’t think he won’t win.
✗ I doubt she won’t agree.
✓ I don’t think he will win.
✓ I doubt she will agree.
Don’t think and doubt are already negative. Use will after them.
6 Practice
Try It Yourself
Exercise A — Decision or Prediction?

Read the sentence. Click what it is.

  • 1
    You see an empty fridge. You say: “I’ll go to the store.”
    ✓ Correct — You choose what to do, right now. This is a decision (lesson 56).
  • 2
    A friend asks about the future. You say: “I think prices will rise.”
    ✓ Correct — You say what you think will happen. This is a prediction.
  • 3
    The waiter is waiting. You say: “I’ll have the soup.”
    ✓ Correct — You choose what to do, right now. This is a decision (lesson 56).
  • 4
    Your friend is cold. You say: “I’ll get you a blanket.”
    ✓ Correct — You choose what to do, right now. This is a decision (lesson 56).
  • 5
    You read the news. You say: “Scientists believe the oceans will get warmer.”
    ✓ Correct — You say what you think will happen. This is a prediction.
  • 6
    You know your friend well. You say: “I’m sure you will love this movie.”
    ✓ Correct — You say what you think will happen. This is a prediction.
  • 7
    You see the game. You say: “I don’t think he will win.”
    ✓ Correct — You say what you think will happen. This is a prediction.
  • 8
    You hear a knock. You say: “I’ll open it.”
    ✓ Correct — You choose what to do, right now. This is a decision (lesson 56).
Exercise B — Complete the Sentence

Type the correct form of will for the words given.

  • 1
    I think robots many jobs. (probably / take)
  • 2
    Experts expect prices next year. (rise)
  • 3
    I don’t think he the job. (get)
  • 4
    She her exam. She worked hard. (definitely / pass)
  • 5
    I’m sure it cold tomorrow. (be)
  • 6
    In my opinion, cities bigger. (become)
  • 7
    I doubt the team the game. (win)
  • 8
    I’m sure you this book. (love)
Exercise C — Make It Negative

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

  • 1
    She agree with us. (probably / not agree)
  • 2
    It tomorrow. (not / rain)
  • 3
    They this year. (not win)
  • 4
    He late. He is always on time. (not be)
  • 5
    The test easy. (not be)
  • 6
    She the gift. (definitely / not like)
  • 7
    Prices soon. (not fall)
  • 8
    I an umbrella. (not need)
Exercise D — Write the Question

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

  • 1
    A: The test is on Friday.
    B: hard? (it / be)
  • 2
    A: My brother wants to run a marathon.
    B: it? (he / finish)
  • 3
    A: The new movie opens tonight.
    B: it? (you / like)
  • 4
    A: The weather is changing.
    B: How warm ? (it / get)
  • 5
    A: Our team plays the final today.
    B: the game? (we / win)
  • 6
    A: Tom has a job interview.
    B: the job? (he / get)
  • 7
    A: Gas is getting expensive.
    B: How much next year? (it / cost)
  • 8
    A: I’m moving to a new city.
    B: your old home? (you / keep)
Exercise E — Choose the Form

Click the form that completes the sentence.

  • 1
    I think it tomorrow.
    ✓ Correct — A prediction uses will + the base verb.
  • 2
    I don’t think he win.
    ✓ Correct — After “I don’t think,” use will. The negative is already in “don’t think.”
  • 3
    She will late.
    ✓ Correct — The adverb goes between will and the base verb.
  • 4
    She come to the party.
    ✓ Correct — In a negative, the adverb goes before won’t.
  • 5
    Experts believe prices next year.
    ✓ Correct — A prediction uses will + the base verb.
  • 6
    I’m sure you this song.
    ✓ Correct — A prediction uses will + the base verb.
  • 7
    In my opinion, the team the game.
    ✓ Correct — A prediction uses will + the base verb.
  • 8
    I doubt she the job.
    ✓ Correct — “Doubt” already has a negative meaning. Use will after it.
7 Choose the Right Sentence
Apply What You Know

Read each question. Choose the sentence that matches.

Question 1 of 8
Select the correct prediction.
Question 2 of 8
Select the sentence with the adverb in the correct place.
Question 3 of 8
Select the correct negative prediction.
Question 4 of 8
Select the correct sentence.
Question 5 of 8
Select the correct question.
Question 6 of 8
Which sentence is a prediction, not a decision?
Question 7 of 8
Select the sentence that is incorrect.
Question 8 of 8
Select the correct sentence.
8 Summary
Future Simple: Predictions Your opinion about the future uses will + the base verb.
  • A prediction is what you think will happen. You do not plan it.
  • Form: will + base verb. Negative: won’t.
  • Signal words: I think, I believe, I expect, I’m sure, in my opinion, experts say.
  • Adverbs go between will and the verb: will probably be. Before won’t: probably won’t.
  • Negative opinion: I don’t think he will win. Do not use two negatives.
  • Question: Will he get the job? How much will it cost?
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