will

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "will" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a modal verb used to express future time. Example sentence: I will call you tomorrow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"International unity will collapse and the path to conflict will widen".

The Guardian

"We will fight.

The New Yorker

We will also ensure that if there are any lessons to be learned, they are shared as soon as possible.

The Guardian

"Although the investigation is in its early stages, we will take action to protect the public if we uncover evidence that could affect the safety of other rides at the park or elsewhere".

The Guardian

Scotland's 56 SNP MPs will certainly seek to amend the legislation to ensure that young people are able to take part in the vote".

The Guardian

"There will be some circumstances in which it's right for public bodies, for example at the border, at airport security, to say there is a practical necessity for asking somebody to remove a veil.

The Guardian

We are very aware of the impact it will have on those involved and we are doing all we can to provide our support to those injured and their families.

The Guardian

We will win.

The New York Times

But it will never happen".

The New York Times

It will work.

The New York Times

"I will always treasure my opportunity to have done that with you, and I will always regret the circumstances that brought that work with you to an end".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will" to express a simple future action or event. For instance, "I will call you tomorrow" clearly states a future action.

Common error

Avoid using "will" in the 'if' clause of a conditional sentence. Instead of saying "If it will rain, we will stay inside", use "If it rains, we will stay inside".

Linguistic Context

The word "will" functions primarily as a modal verb, used to express future tense, intention, or prediction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a fundamental element for indicating future actions or states. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its versatility in constructing future scenarios and expressing desires.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "will" is a versatile modal verb primarily used to express future actions, intentions, or predictions. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely usable in written English. Its function spans from indicating simple future actions to conveying promises and making predictions. While generally neutral in register, it avoids appearing in "if" clauses of conditional sentences. As exemplified by Ludwig's numerous examples, "will" is prevalent across various authoritative sources, particularly in news and media and formal business contexts. Alternatives such as "is going to" or "shall" (in formal contexts) can provide nuanced expressions of future intent, enriching your communication style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is going to

Expresses future intention or prediction with a slightly more informal tone.

shall

Formal alternative to express future intention, particularly in British English.

is about to

Indicates that something is on the verge of happening very soon.

intends to

Highlights a planned or intended action.

plans to

Similar to intends to, but focuses on a structured plan.

desires to

Emphasizes a strong wish or desire to perform an action.

is determined to

Shows a firm decision and commitment to do something.

should

Expresses expectation or obligation in the future.

must

Indicates necessity or strong obligation in the future.

can

Expresses future possibility or ability.

FAQs

How to use "will" in a sentence?

"Will" is a modal verb used to express future actions or intentions. For example, "I "will go" to the store later" or "She "will be" here soon".

What can I say instead of "will"?

You can use alternatives like "is going to", "shall" (in formal contexts), or "intends to" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "I will going" or "I am going to"?

"I am going to" is correct. "I "will going"" is grammatically incorrect because "will" is a modal verb and should be followed by the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "will" and "shall"?

"Will" is used to express future actions or intentions for all persons. "Shall" is traditionally used with "I" and "we" in British English to express future actions, but "will" is now more common. "Shall" can also be used to make offers or suggestions, such as "Shall we go?"