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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:
|
A:
B:
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The sky's awfully dark.
It certainly is. I think we'll have rain before morning.
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(B is making a prediction.
He or she doesn't actually know
that there
will be rain before morning.)
_____________________________________
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A:
B:
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I'm worried about my algebra
test.
You'll
do fine! You studied for a long time.
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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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A:
B:
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Where's Mr. Sato's office?
It's right over there--but
he probably won't
be there. I think
he's in a meeting.
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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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A:
B:
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What are Frank's chances in
the race?
He'll be
lucky if he gets second or third place.
He won't win because at least two of the runners
are
faster than he is.
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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.)
________________________________________________
Special Notes:
| 1. |
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Be going to may also be used in making predictions:
I think we're going to have rain before morning.
You're going to do fine!
Mr. Sato probably isn't going to be in his office.
Frank's going to be lucky if he gets second or third place.
Frank's not
going to win.
(Frank isn't going
to win.).
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| 2. |
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In fast, casual speech, going to sounds something
like "gonna."
This form is common in speaking,
but it isn't
appropriate for most written work.
When people use going to in casual speech, they
usually contract
be, but it is often difficult to hear.
Also, "gonna" is a "relaxed"
form of going
to,
so
it is not followed by to.
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not this:
or these:
but
this:
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*I gonna leave now.
*I gonna to leave
now. /
*I'm gonna to leave now.
I'm gonna leave now.
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not this:
or these:
but
this:
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*You gonna be sorry!
*You gonna to be
sorry! /
*You're gonna to be sorry!
You're gonna be sorry!
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But
remember:
"Gonna" is used
in spoken language, not in most
forms
of written language.
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