See it in action
Level A1Read or listen first. Don’t worry about the rules yet — just notice the verbs in bold.
A party on Saturday
Ana: Are you free on Saturday? Tom’s having a party.
Ben: I’m not sure. I think I’ll be tired after work.
Ana: Oh, come on! It won’t be a late night, I promise.
Ben: OK, I’ll come — but I’ll leave early.
Ana: Great! Will you bring some music?
Ben: Sure. I’ll make a playlist tonight.
Quick check
Look at Ben’s verbs: I’ll come, I’ll leave, I’ll make. What comes after ’ll (will)?
After will the verb never changes: no to, no -s. I’ll come, she’ll come.
Quick check
When does Ben decide to go to the party?
He decides at the moment of speaking (“OK, I’ll come”). That’s a typical use of will.
When to use will
Level A1–A21. Predictions (what you think or believe)
I think it’ll rain tomorrow.
Predictions often start with I think, I’m sure, I expect, I bet. probably and definitely go after will but before won’t.
She’ll probably pass the exam.
He definitely won’t be late.
2. Decisions made at the moment of speaking
The phone’s ringing — I’ll get it!
3. Offers and promises
This bag is heavy. — I’ll carry it for you.An offer.
Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.A promise.
In replies like these, use I’ll / we’ll (or won’t) + base verb — not the present simple or -ing.
Wrong: The phone’s ringing. — I answer it.The phone’s ringing. — I’ll answer it.
Quick check
“I think Spain will win.” What is this?
I think + will is a prediction: the speaker’s opinion, not a plan.
Form: will + verb
Level A1will is the same for every subject, and the verb after it never changes: no -s, no to.
| All subjects | |
|---|---|
| Positive | she will help (she’ll) |
| Negative | she won’t help (will not) |
| Question | Will she help…? |
| Short answer | Yes, she will. / No, she won’t. |
I’ll call you tomorrow.
Will they be there on time?
Quick check
Which sentence is correct?
will + base verb, for every subject: he will help.
going to
Level A2am / is / are + going to + verb for plans you have already made, and for predictions based on what you can see now.
We’re going to visit our grandparents this weekend.A plan.
Look at those clouds — it’s going to rain.Evidence now.
Choose am / is / are for the subject, and use the base verb after to: He is going to watch the match.
Quick check
“Look at those clouds — it’s going to rain.” Why going to?
The dark clouds are here now, so we can see the rain coming: going to.
will or going to?
Level B1| will | going to |
|---|---|
| A decision made now: I’ll have the soup. | A plan made before: I’m going to learn Japanese. |
| A prediction from opinion: I think she’ll win. | A prediction from evidence: She’s miles ahead — she’s going to win. |
| Offers and promises: I’ll help you. | — |
For arrangements with a time and other people, the present continuous is very common too: I’m meeting Tom at six. Many predictions and plans work with both will and going to.
Quick check
“I’m cold.” — “Oh, I’ll close the window.” When did the second speaker decide?
Will often shows a decision made at the moment of speaking. For plans made before, use going to.
Time clauses: When I get home…
Level B1After when, as soon as, before, after, until, once and if, use the present simple for the future. The other clause has will.
When I get home, I’ll call you.
Wrong: As soon as she will arrive, we’ll start.As soon as she arrives, we’ll start.
The same with until and before, wherever the clause goes — and with won’t in the other part.
I’ll wait here until the taxi comes.
We won’t start dinner until everyone gets here.
Before the guests arrive, she’ll tidy the house.
Wrong: I’ll stay at home until the rain will stop.I’ll stay at home until the rain stops.
Quick check
As soon as the film ___, we’ll go for dinner.
After as soon as, when, before, until, talk about the future with the present simple.
Shall I…? / Shall we…?
Level B1Shall I…? offers to do something for someone. Shall we…? suggests doing something together. Both are questions with the base verb after the subject.
It’s hot in here. Shall I open the window?An offer: I’ll do it for you.
I’m bored. Shall we go to the cinema?A suggestion: let’s do it together.
Wrong: Shall I to open the window? / Shall we going out?Shall I open the window? / Shall we go out?
Quick check
“It’s hot in here. Shall I open the window?” What is the speaker doing?
Shall I…? offers to do something. Shall we…? makes a suggestion.
Advanced uses
Level B2–C2Once will and going to feel easy, these forms help you talk about the very near future, formal plans and guesses.
Show the advanced uses
be about to / be due to / be on the point of
Three ways to say something will happen very soon or as planned. The verb be changes with the subject (am / is / are).
| Form | Meaning |
|---|---|
| be about to + base verb | Any moment now. |
| be due to + base verb | Expected at a planned time (timetables, schedules; often formal). |
| be on the point of + -ing | Very close to happening (formal, often news). |
Hurry up! The train is about to leave.
The new bridge is due to open next month.
The two sides are on the point of reaching an agreement.
Wrong: The film is about starting. / The company is on the point to close.The film is about to start. / The company is on the point of closing.
Formal will and the future passive
Notices, announcements and the news often use the passive, because the event matters more than who does it: will be + past participle. Negative: won’t be + participle.
The meeting will be held on Monday.
The concert won’t be cancelled, whatever the weather.
Wrong: The results will announced tomorrow.The results will be announced tomorrow.
will for confident guesses about now
’ll be can be about the present, not the future: the speaker is sure, from what they know, even though they can’t see it. It often has by now, or a reason first.
There’s someone at the door. — That’ll be the postman.= I’m sure it’s the postman.
It’s nearly midnight, so Leo’ll be in bed.
She left two hours ago, so she’ll be home by now.
Quick check
“There’s someone at the door. — That’ll be the postman.” When is the postman at the door?
Here will is a confident guess about now: I’m sure it’s the postman.
Common mistakes
Level AllWrong: She will calls you.She will call you.
Wrong: I will to help you.I will help you.
Wrong: He willn’t come.He won’t come.
Wrong: She is going to visiting her aunt.She is going to visit her aunt.
Wrong: They is going to move.They are going to move.
Wrong: Will you help me? — Yes, I do.Will you help me? — Yes, I will.Answer with will / won’t.
Wrong: When I will finish, I’ll text you.When I finish, I’ll text you.
Wrong: Yes, I’ll.Yes, I will.Don’t contract positive short answers.
Remember
- Use will for predictions, offers, promises and decisions made at the moment of speaking.
- will + base verb for every subject: she will help (no -s, no to). Negative: won’t.
- Use going to for plans made before now and for predictions from evidence: Look at those clouds — it’s going to rain.
- After when, as soon as, before, until, if, use the present simple: When I get home, I’ll call you.
- Shall I…? offers to help; Shall we…? makes a suggestion.
Practise the future simple
Pick your level. Gap-fills, offers and promises, will or going to, time clauses, “find the mistake” and more — new exercises every time.
- A1BeginnerFirst steps: will + verb, won’t and Will…? questions.Start
- A2ElementaryPredictions, offers, promises and going to for plans.Start
- B1Intermediatewill or going to, time clauses and Shall I…?Start
- B2Upper intermediateWhen / as soon as + present, evidence and formal will.Start
- C1Advancedabout to, due to, future passive and confident guesses.Start
- C2Proficienton the point of, formal notices and subtle future choices.Start