1. The Future Indefinite is formed by means of the auxiliary verbs shall/will
and the notional verb without the particle to.
Affirmative Interrogative Negative
I shall (will) work Shall I work? I shall not work
He will work Will he work? He will not work
She will work Will she work? She will not work
We shall work Shall we work? We shall not work
You will work Will you work? You will not work
They will work Will they work? They will not work
II. The conracted negative forms are:
I’ll work
He’ll work
They’ll work
The contracted negative forms are:
I shan’t work?
He won’t work
The negative-interrogative forms are:
Shall we not work? Will he not work?
Shan’t we work? Won’t he work?
III. The use of the Future Indefinite.
The Future Indefinite Tense is used:
1. to denote the speaker’s opinions, assumptions, speculations about the future (often with I believe,expect, hope, think, assume, be afraid, know, wonder, suppose etc. or accompanied by adverbs such as perhaps, possibly, probably,surely, but can be used without them).
I shall graduate next year.
He will be here any minute.
I think it will be a difficult game.
Perhaps he will find him at the hotel.
It can express a single point action that will be completed in the future or an action occupying a whole period of time in the future.
It will ruin her.
I know I'm right, and one of these days you'll realize it.
I think I shall remain in love with you all my life.
I hope you'll live for many years.
It can also express some permanent future actions generally characterizing the person denoted by the subject of the sentence.
I'm afraid he'll be a bit lonely, poor darling.
The old age pension will keep me in bread, tea and onions, and what more does an old man want?
2. in statements of general meaning to denote something that will be always true, i. e. to express the idea of the inevitability of an action.
Water will boil at 100 Centigrade.
No gentleman will remain seated with a lady standing.
The peculiarity of this tense is that its meaning contains some modelity, i. e. that of possibility, necessity or volition. Thus any action in the future is an action which is possible, necessary or desirable.
Note. The form “will+ Infinitive” may be used even in subordinate clauses of condition when the meaning of modality (volition) prevails over that of time indication.
I’ll be with you in ten minutes if you will wait for me.
Going my way?” “Yes. If you will give me a lift.
3. to denote future habitual actions which we assume will take place.
Spring will come again.
Other pupils will sit at my desk.
4. in sentences containing clauses of condition, time and sometimes purpose
If I drop this glass it will break.
When it gets warmer the snow will start to melt.
I am putting this letter on top of the pile so that he’ll read it first.
NB! In if-clause or time clause we don’t use the future indefinite even when the meaning is future
It will get warmer soon but when it gets warmer…
5. a succession of actions in the future
I shall wait in the next room and come back when she's gone. We'll
just talk about the weather and the crops for a few minutes and
then we'll have dinner.
6. decisions made at the moment of speaking
All right,I shall see you at 8.
7. in newspapers and newsbroadcasts,for formal announcements of future plans and for weather forecasts
THE PRESIDENT WILL OPEN A NEW AIRPORT TODAY.
The fog will persist in all areas.
8. in requests
Will you do me a favour?
9. in firm intentions, promises
I shall love you for ever.
10. in threats
I won’t speak to you ever again.
11. in suggestions
Shall I go for a work?
Shall I start reading?
12. in asking for advice
What shall I say if he calls?
THE FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE
