In old textbooks, will is often defined as a future tense in English, but this has confused many people.
It's important to remember that in English, when we talk about the future, we cannot always use will, and when we use will we are not always talking about the future.
In the following cases, will refers entirely to the future:
If I speak to her, I'll tell her about it.- I'll probably visit Sue when I go to Oxford.
- Next birthday she'll be 32. Or so she says.
In the following cases, however, will refers to events occurring in the present:
- The car won't start.
- If that's the phone, I'll get it.
- Will you have another cup of coffee?
When we use will, speaking about the present, we express willingness or desire.
- My baby won't stop crying. I've tried everything and I'm really exhausted.
- I am the boss. You will do as I say.
- I need quiet to write this but he will keep on talking to me. I wish he would leave me alone.
We use will when we ask or command something, for orders, invitations, and offers.
- Will you give me a hand?
- Will you please take a seat?
- Will you have some cake?
- I'll help you.
Another case of using will for the present is for promises and issuing threats.
- I'll do it at once.
- I'll phone him back immediately.
- I won't forget this.
- I'll get my own back some day.
We use will for habits:
- A cat will always find a warm place to sleep.
- My car won't go any faster than this.
For assumption:
- I expect he'll want us to get on with it.
- The phone's ringing. That will be Mark.
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