The Future Simple is used
a in the main clause of a First Conditional sentence:
If she passes the test, she'll go up to the next class.
But DO NOT use will on the if clause.
b for predictions after certain verbs like think, expect, wonder and hope, and after certain adverbs like probably and perhaps: I think it'll stay fine for the race.
c for instant decisions and spontaneous reactions: I'll just answer the phone.
d for offers of help: I'll give you a hand, if you like.
e for promises: Believe me, I'll never do it again.
f for invitations and polite requests: Will you come to the theatre with me?
Except in questions, will/will not are usually contracted to 'll/won't in spoken English.
Shall is used mainly in questions with I/we to express offers of help, suggestions or requests for advice: Shall I give you a lift? Shall we go swimming?
Will is not used after conjunctions of time, such as after, before, until, when, as soon as. Instead, a present tense is used: I'll ring you as soon as I find out. He'll turn up before we've finished.
Exercise 1. Match the category on the left with the correct sentence on the right.
1 prediction A Honestly, I'll work very hard.
2 promise B I'm pretty sure he'll win.
3 First Conditional C Unless it's cheap, I won't buy it.
4 quick reaction D Shall we wash up for you?
5 polite request E I'll answer the door.
6 offer of help F Will you hold the door open, please?
Exercise 2. Put shall, will or won't correctly into the sentences where necessary.
I'm afraid I _____ be able to attend the wedding.
He _____ interview you as soon as you _____ arrive.
_____ we try the chicken supreme or the steak pie?
There _____ be a lot of trouble when the staff _____ find out!
By the way, _____ you please take notes?
_____ I change your library books for you?
Don't worry, you _____ have to stay for the whole session.
Make sure you _____ put the dustbin out before you leave.
If I _____ see her, I _____ give her your love.
There are some other ways to express future actions.
The Present Simple is used to talk about timetables, programmes of events and people's schedules: What time does your train leave? The President arrives at 9.30.
The Present Continuous is used to talk about planned future arrangements:
I'm seeing a friend of mine at the weekend.
A future time-phrase should be used or understood, to prevent confusion with the present uses of this tense.
Going to is used to talk about
a firm intentions: I'm going to be an actor when I grow up.
b predictions based on something in the present: Look! He's going to fall.
The Future Continuous refers to a continuous action which will be happening at a future point in time: I'll be playing football on Sunday afternoon.
The Future Perfect is used to talk about an action which will have happened by a certain point in the future. By is often a key word: He'll have finished his exams by Friday week.
The Future Perfect Continuous is used similarly to the Future Perfect, but stresses that the action is continuous, or not completed: By the end of May we'll have been living here for three years.
Remember that many verbs do not have continuous form.
Exercise 3. Correct the sentences if necessary.
What time does your badminton class start?
``What will you do tonight?'' ``Oh, we will have a barbecue.''
By this time next week I'm filling in my tax forms.
I promise I'm supporting you whenever you will need me.
You won't see him this summer. He'll do his military service then.
I'm being an architect when I'm finishing my studies.
Don't get up. I'll make the coffee.
Do you come to dinner with me tonight?
I think he shall probably marry the girl next door.
What do you do at 3 o'clock next Sunday afternoon?
Exercise 4. Complete the sentences with the most suitable verb form.
If you (not object) we (ask) the committee to approve the proposal.
By the time Juan (finish) his maths project next week, he (be) exhausted!
What our world (be like) in the year 2020?
Anne (not be) happy until she (see) the doctor this afternoon.
This time next year I probably (live) on the other side of the world.
I (not watch) the horror film that's on tonight. I know it (give) me nightmares.
By the end of this week we (raise) over L800 for the children's charity.
I swear I (do) my best from now on. Things (be) different, you (see).