will, going to and present progressive: advanced points

Will is the basic structure for talking about the future. We use will if there is not a good reason for using present forms.

Present reality

We prefer present forms (present progressive or going to …) when we are talking about future events that have some present reality ((see here). In other cases we use will. Compare:

• I’m seeing Jessica on Tuesday. (The arrangement exists now.)
  I wonder if she’ll recognise me. (not talking about the present)
• We’re going to get a new car. (The decision already exists.)
  I hope it will be better than the last one. (not talking about the present)

Predictions: thinking and guessing about the future

In predictions, we use going to when we have outside evidence for what we say – for example black clouds in the sky, a person who is obviously about to fall.

• See those clouds? It’s going to rain. (not See those clouds? It will rain.)
• Look – that kid’s going to fall off his bike. (not Look! That kid’ll fall off his bike.)

We prefer will for predictions when there is not such obvious outside evidence – when we are talking more about what is inside our heads: what we know, or believe, or have calculated. (When we use will, we are not showing the listener something; we are asking him or her to believe something.) Compare:

• Look out – we’re going to crash! (There is outside evidence.)
  Don’t lend him your car. He’s a terrible driver – he’ll crash it. (the speaker’s knowledge)
• I’ve just heard from the builder. That roof repair’s going to cost £7,000. (outside evidence – the builder’s letter)
  I reckon it’ll cost about £3,000 to put in new lights. (the speaker’s opinion)
• Alice is going to have a baby. (outside evidence – she is pregnant now)
  The baby will certainly have blue eyes, because both parents have. (speaker’s knowledge about genetics)

will and present forms: both possible

The differences between the structures used to talk about the future are not always very clear-cut. Will and present forms (especially going to …) are often both possible in the same situation, if ‘present’ ideas like intention or fixed arrangement are a part of the meaning, but not very important. The choice can depend on which aspect we wish to emphasise.

• What will you do next year? (open question about the future; perhaps no clear plans have been made)
  What are you doing next year? (emphasis on fixed arrangements)
  What are you going to do next year? (emphasis on intentions)
• All the family will be there.
  All the family are going to be there.
• If your mother comes, you’ll have to help with the cooking.
  If your mother comes, you’re going to have to help with the cooking.
• You won’t believe this.
  You’re not going to believe this.
• Next year will be different.
  Next year is going to be different.
• Jack will explain everything to you.
  Jack’s going to explain everything to you.

Both going to … (see here) and stressed will (see here) can express a strong intention or determination.

• I’m really going to stop smoking!
• I really will stop smoking!

In cases like these, the different forms are all correct, and it is unimportant which one is chosen.

Official arrangements: The Princess will meet the President at 14.30.

Will is often used, rather than present forms, in giving information about impersonal, fixed arrangements – for example official itineraries. Compare:

• We’re meeting Sandra at 6.00.
• The Princess will arrive at the airport at 14.00. She will meet the President at 14.30, and will then attend a performance of traditional dances.

Predictions as orders: The regiment will attack at dawn.

Predictions can be used as a way of giving orders – instead of telling somebody to do something, the speaker just says firmly that it will happen. This is common in military-style orders.

• The regiment will attack at dawn.
• You will start work at six o’clock sharp.

Different meanings of will you …?

With a verb referring to a state, will you …? asks for information.

• How soon will you know your travel dates?
• Will you be here next week?

With a verb referring to an action, will you …? usually introduces an order or request (see here).

• Will you turn off that music!
• Will you do the shopping this afternoon, please?

To ask for information about planned actions, we use a present form ( (see here) or the future progressive (see here).

• When are you going to see Andy?
• Are you doing the shopping this afternoon?
• Will you be doing the shopping …?

Expressing certainty about the present or past

We can use will to talk about the present – to say what we think is very probably or certainly the case.

• ‘There’s somebody at the door.’ ‘That’ll be the electrician.’
• Don’t phone them now – they’ll be having dinner.

Will have … can express similar ideas about the past.

• As you will have noticed, there is a new secretary in the front office.
• It’s no use expecting Barry to turn up. He’ll have forgotten.

note

For more about this and other uses of will, (see here), (see here), (see here).

Obligation: shall

In contracts and other legal documents, shall is often used with third-person subjects to refer to obligations and duties, in both British and American English.

• The hirer shall be responsible for maintenance of the vehicle.

In normal usage, we prefer will, must or should to express ideas of this kind.