Using Will and Shall for Future Tense
Future Tense: Will and Shall
English Grammar Notes
We normally use will and shall to talk about the future. They are always combined with another verb.
Since will and shall are classified as modal verbs (like can, would, could, and should), they have the same characteristics:
- They do not change in the third person (i.e., he, she, it).
- They are always combined with another verb in the base form (i.e., without ‘to’).
- We don’t use them with ‘do’ in questions or negatives.
Affirmative Form
Subject + auxiliary + verb (infinitive) + complement |
I shall play tennis tomorrow = Yo jugaré tenis mañana
You will play tennis tomorrow = Tú jugarás tenis mañana
He will play tennis tomorrow = Él jugará tenis mañana
She will play tennis tomorrow = Ella jugará tenis mañana
It will play tennis tomorrow = (Eso) jugará tenis mañana
We shall play tennis tomorrow = Nosotros jugaremos tenis mañana
You will play tennis tomorrow = Ustedes jugarán tenis mañana
They will play tennis tomorrow = Ellos jugarán tenis mañana
Transform into the Future Tense
You go to the office: Tú vas a la oficina
You will go to the office = Tú irás a la oficina
Positive | |
I will | I’ll |
You will | you’ll |
He will | he’ll |
She will | she’ll |
It will | it’ll |
We will | we’ll |
You will | you’ll |
They will | they’ll |
I will go to the cinema tonight.
He will play tennis tomorrow.
She will be happy with her exam results.
They will take the bus to the South next week.
When to Use Will and Shall
1. For things that we decide to do now.
- I’ll call a taxi for you.
- I think we’ll go right now. (I just decided this right now)
2. When we think or believe something about the future.
- The President will not be re-elected at the next election.
- I think it will rain later, so take an umbrella with you.
3. To make an offer, a promise, or a threat.
- You look tired. I’ll finish the dishes for you.
- If you say anything, I will kill you!
- I will have it ready by tomorrow.
- I’ll drive you to work if you want.
Negative Form
Subject + auxiliary + not + verb (infinitive) + complement
I shall not play tennis = Yo no jugaré tenis
You will not play tennis
He will not play tennis
She will not play tennis
It will not play tennis
We shall not play tennis
You will not play tennis
They will not play tennis
Negative | |
I will not | I won’t |
You will not | you won’t |
He will not | he won’t |
She will not | she won’t |
It will not | it won’t |
We will not | we won’t |
You will not | you won’t |
They will not | they won’t |
Interrogative Form
Auxiliary + Subject + Verb (infinitive) + Complement |
Shall I play tennis? = ¿Jugaré yo tenis?
Will you play tennis? = ¿Jugarás tú tenis?
Will he play tennis?
Will she play tennis?
Will it play tennis?
Shall we play tennis?
Will you play tennis?
Will they play tennis?
Affirmative
He will be here tomorrow.
Subject WILL Verb
Question
Will he be here tomorrow?
WILL Subject Verb
Examples:
Will they win the cup?
– Yes, they will.
– No, they won’t.
Will you tell him the truth?
– Yes, I will.
– No, I won’t.
Will she get angry?
– Yes, she will.
– No, she won’t.