Understanding and Using Modal Verbs: Understanding and Using Modal Verbs (#25)

The English modal verbs are often challenging for learners
of English. This happens for many reasons, including both
grammar and meaning.

In this Hint, we'll begin to look at will.

One use for the modal auxiliary will is in showing someone's
predictions about the future--things that someone speaks or
writes about before they actually happen.

When will is used, it's commonly contracted to 'll. It's also
common to use a contraction for the negative form of will:
will not becomes won't.

Both the affirmative and negative forms of will are used in
making predictions:

Examples:

(B is making a prediction. He or she doesn't actually know
that there will be rain before morning.)

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(B is making a prediction. He or she doesn't actually know
that A will do fine.)

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(B is making a prediction. He or she doesn't actually know
that Mr. Sato won't be in his office.)

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(B is making two predictions. He or she doesn't actually know
that Frank will be lucky to get second or third place and he
doesn't actually know that Frank won't win.)

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Special Notes: