Modal verb will | Uses, examples and exercises

What is the verb will and when is it used?

Will is a modal verb, which means that it has the ability to change the context of a sentence. It is considered one of the auxiliary verbs and therefore is always accompanied by another verb with its own meaning.

Uses of the verb will

The verb is used to refer to things we think may happen, but we are not certain, whether in the present or in the future.

Example:

I will come to your house around 1 p.m. (I will go to your house around 1 p.m.).

To offer or ask for help

One of the meanings of the modal verb will is willingness so it is used to offer or ask for help from someone. The modal verb can is more frequently used for this type of context, although the meaning difference is important.

Examples:

I will help you with lunch. (I will help you with the food.)
Don’t worry, I will leave you the car. (Don’t worry, I will let you use the car.)
Please, will you go with me to the doctor? (Please, will you accompany me to the doctor?)
Will you come pick me up when the meeting is over? (Will you come to pick me up when the meeting ends?)

To address complaints or requests from someone

We also use the verb will when one has to resolve people’s complaints or requests.

Examples:

Okay, I will do it for you. (Okay, I will do it for you.)
If you feel unwell, I will let you go home. (If you feel unwell, I will let you go home).

How to conjugate the verb will?

Will is a modal verb and, as such, the use of will does not have all the verb tenses. But you should know.

Below we offer some examples of how the verb will is conjugated in its affirmative, negative, and interrogative forms.

Conjugation in present or future

Affirmative

The future with will or affirmative will is very simple. Remember that will is a modal verb, and this type of verbs are never preceded by to. Also, like many other verbs, the future of will is usually contracted to the form ‘ll.

Examples:

I will go with you / I’ll go with you. (I will go with you)
He will give you the keys / He’ll give you the keys. (He will give you the keys)

Negative

If you want to write will negatively, the option will be will not or the contraction won’t.

Examples:

In this case, they will not help you / In this case, they won’t help you. (In this case, they will not help you.)
Now, we will not go here / Now, we won’t go here. (Now, we are not going to go there.)

Interrogative

Interrogative constructions function as follows: will + subject + main verb.

Examples:

Where will we go this weekend? (Where will we go this weekend?)
Will you help me with moving? (Will you help me with the move?)

Conjugation of the verb will in past

The past of will becomes the form would and wouldn’t.

Sorry, we thought that we would arrive on time. (Sorry, we thought we would arrive on time.)
When I was young, I wouldn’t often go to the disco. (When I was young, I did not usually go to the disco.)

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Fill in the blanks and practice the verb will with this exercise

Place the verb will with these examples in all its forms, as appropriate:

My brother hasn’t studied enough. He ____________the exam.(not pass)
He _________ to his brother’s wedding. (go)
We _________to another country if we find a good job here. (not move)
When____________ ? (your father return)
My mother doesn’t like cars. She ___________ how to drive. (not learn)
I think he __________ married very fast. (get)
___________me a pen, please? (You bring)
They__________all the questions.(not answer)
______________with her husband to Spain? (she not go)
What ____________next holidays? (your son do)
He_____________ten articles this week. (write)
____________breakfast? (you make)
You ___________the lottery. (not win)
You don’t study anything. I think you ____________the exam. (not pass)
I need to rest. I___________some sleep. (get)
I don’t have time. _____________the post, please? (you translate)
You are right. I _____________home late again. (not come)
I don’t want to see her. This is the reason that I_______________to the meeting. (not go (past)