5.53 Indicating the future using 'will'

If you want to say that something is planned to happen, or that you think it is likely to happen in the future, you use the modal 'will' in front of the base form of the verb. This is called the future tense.

• Nancy will arrange it.
• These will be dealt with in chapter 7.
• 'I will check,' said Brody.
• When will I see them?
• What do you think Sally will do?
• You will come back, won't you?

If the subject is 'I' or 'we' the modal 'shall' is sometimes used instead of 'will' to talk about future events.

• I shall do everything I can to help you.
• You will stay at home and I shall go to your office.
• 'We shall give him some tea,' Naomi said.

'Will' and 'shall' are also used in several ways as modals.