will
/wɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /wɪl/ (ame, ipa) · /wəl, (ə)l, ᵊl, ˈwil/ (ame, mw)
will — modal verb
1. points forward to an event that has not yet taken place, whether you expect it o
points forward to an event that has not yet taken place, whether you expect it or have made plans for it.
Ravindra will start his new job at the hospital next Monday.
will + base verb for future event
The train will arrive at platform three in about ten minutes.
Eleni will not join us for dinner because she has to study.
The manager says the meeting will finish before lunchtime today.
Hyun and Christopher will travel to Japan together next spring.
- be going to
more informal and often suggests a prior plan or visible evidence, while 'will' can be a spontaneous decision
文法句型
will + base verb
will not (won't) + base verb
常見錯誤
2. used to say that someone is ready or agrees to do something, especially in respo
used to say that someone is ready or agrees to do something, especially in response to a request or situation.
Élise said she will help me move my furniture this weekend.
will for willingness to help
The mechanic will fix the brakes for free since it is still under warranty.
Maeve will not eat any food that contains dairy products.
The dog will sit and stay when Baraka gives the command.
Defne will drive us to the airport if we ask her nicely.
- be willing to
more formal and explicit about willingness
- agree to
focuses on the act of giving consent
- refuse
the opposite of agreeing or being willing
文法句型
will + base verb
用法筆記
Negative form 'won't' is often used to express a refusal. This sense typically appears in response to a request or proposal, rather than a pre-arranged plan.
常見錯誤
3. forms a question to request that another person perform an action, used in every
forms a question to request that another person perform an action, used in everyday situations where you need a favour or assistance.
Will you please pass the salt across the table, Eitan?
Will you please + verb for polite request
Will you turn down the music so the neighbours can sleep?
Will you hold the door open for Heloísa while she carries those boxes?
Will you check whether the front gate is locked before bed?
Will you water the plants while Harper is away on holiday?
文法句型
Will you + base verb?
Won't you + base verb?
用法筆記
This sense is question-only. Adding 'please' makes the request more polite. For very formal requests, 'Would you' is preferred over 'Will you'.
4. makes a friendly suggestion that somebody join you in an activity, or offers the
makes a friendly suggestion that somebody join you in an activity, or offers them something like food or a drink.
Will you join us for a cup of coffee after the class?
Will you + verb for invitation
Will you have another slice of cake, Sari?
Will you have + noun for offer
Will you come to the cinema with Eleni and me this Saturday?
Will you stay for dinner, Ravindra? We have made too much food.
Will you sit down and tell us about your trip to Thailand?
- would you like to
slightly more formal and common for offers
- do you want to
more informal and direct
文法句型
Will you + base verb? (invitation)
Will you have + noun? (offer)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 (POLITE REQUEST): in offers and invitations, the speaker is proposing something the listener would enjoy, not asking for a favour. Rising intonation and a warm tone are common.
5. used in the main clause of a conditional sentence to talk about what the result
used in the main clause of a conditional sentence to talk about what the result will be if something happens first.
If Hyun studies hard, she will pass the exam with good marks.
if ... will for conditional result
The plants will die if Baraka forgets to water them for a week.
will ... if clause
If it rains tomorrow, the picnic will be moved indoors.
Maeve will buy the car if the dealer offers a lower price.
If you press this button, the machine will start automatically.
文法句型
if + present tense, ... will + base verb
subject + will + base verb + if + clause
用法筆記
The 'if' clause uses the present simple tense, NOT 'will'. Common learner mistake: 'If it will rain' is incorrect in first conditional sentences.
常見錯誤
6. used to say that something is likely or probable, based on what you know or expe
used to say that something is likely or probable, based on what you know or expect.
Heloísa will be at home now, since her shift ended an hour ago.
will be for probability based on knowledge
That will be the postman knocking at the front door.
Christopher has not eaten all day, so he will be very hungry by now.
The package will arrive by Friday if the courier stays on schedule.
Defne will probably finish the report before the deadline next week.
- be likely to
used in more formal contexts
- should
strong probability based on expectation
- unlikely
the opposite of probable
文法句型
will + base verb
will be + adjective/noun
用法筆記
This sense expresses the speaker's logical conclusion rather than a future prediction. Often used with 'probably' or when deducing something from evidence. Distinguish from sense 1 (FUTURE EVENT) which talks about planned/scheduled future events.
7. expresses a forceful order when the speaker is upset or irritated, making it cle
expresses a forceful order when the speaker is upset or irritated, making it clear that the listener must obey.
Will you stop tapping your pen on the desk right now!
Will you + verb! for angry command
You will apologize to Eleni for what you said, or leave the room.
You will + verb for firm order
Will you please sit down and listen to what Eitan is trying to say!
You will finish your homework before you touch that video game controller.
Will you children quiet down this instant — the baby is trying to sleep!
- must
less emotionally charged; expresses obligation rather than anger
文法句型
Will you + base verb! (emphatic)
You will + base verb (assertive command)
用法筆記
Unlike sense 3 (POLITE REQUEST), this sense uses strong or angry intonation and is often spoken with emphasis on 'will'. In written form, an exclamation mark is typical. Not used in polite conversation.
8. refers to something that is true in general or happens as a regular pattern, des
refers to something that is true in general or happens as a regular pattern, describing predictable behaviour or known facts.
Sari will spend hours reading before falling asleep each night.
will for habitual behaviour
Water will boil at one hundred degrees Celsius at sea level.
will for general scientific truth
My grandfather will sit in his garden every morning with a book.
A good teacher will explain the same idea in different ways until every student understands.
The cat will sleep on the warm part of the floor where the sun hits.
- tends to
focuses on likelihood rather than certainty
文法句型
will + base verb (general truth/habit)
用法筆記
Distinguish from the present simple tense for habits: 'will' in this sense adds a slight sense of 'this is what normally happens — you can rely on it'. It is common in general statements about predictable behaviour.
常見錯誤
will — noun
- willsingular
- willsplural
1. the mental strength that lets you control your thoughts, feelings, and actions,
the mental strength that lets you control your thoughts, feelings, and actions, especially when something is difficult to do or resist.
Baraka had an iron will and refused to give up after the accident.
collocation: iron will / strong will
It took all of Eitan's will to turn down the second piece of cake.
The athlete's will to win pushed her through months of painful training.
Maeve lost her will to continue after the project was cancelled suddenly.
Heloísa showed tremendous will by studying every night while working full-time.
- willpower
the most common near-synonym, especially for self-discipline
- determination
focuses on firmly deciding to achieve something
- resolve
strong determination to do something difficult
- weakness
lack of mental strength
- indecision
inability to make firm choices
文法句型
the will to + base verb
willpower
用法筆記
Often found in fixed phrases: 'willpower' (compound noun), 'strong will', 'iron will', 'will to live/will to succeed'. As an uncountable noun in this sense, it does not take an article unless modified.
常見錯誤
2. the thing or outcome that a person or group desires, especially in matters invol
the thing or outcome that a person or group desires, especially in matters involving decisions, authority, or collective agreement.
The committee respected the will of the voters and changed the policy.
the will of + group for collective desire
Christopher stayed at the party against his will because his friends begged him.
against one's will — unwillingly
It was the king's will that the castle be rebuilt after the fire.
Sari agreed to the plan of her own free will, without anyone pressuring her.
The old woman made it clear that her will was to donate savings to charity.
- wish
simple desire; less formal
- desire
stronger feeling of wanting something
- preference
what someone would choose if given the option
- opposition
active disagreement with what is wanted
文法句型
the will of + noun
against one's will
用法筆記
Fixed phrases: 'against one's will' (unwillingly), 'of one's own free will' (voluntarily), 'the will of the people' (democratic preference). Do not confuse with sense 1 (MENTAL POWER) — this sense is about what is wanted, not the strength to pursue it.
常見錯誤
3. a legal document that states what a person wants to happen to their money, prope
a legal document that states what a person wants to happen to their money, property, and belongings after they die.
Harper's grandfather left the family house to her in his will.
leave + noun + in one's will
The lawyer read the will aloud to the family members in the office.
Eleni decided to write a will after her first child was born.
Without a valid will, the court decides how to divide the property.
The old will was replaced by a newer one that included the grandchildren as heirs.
- testament
formal legal term; often paired in 'last will and testament'
文法句型
last will and testament
in someone's will
leave something in one's will
用法筆記
The formal legal phrase is 'last will and testament', but in everyday English people simply say 'will'. Common verbs: 'make/draw up/write a will', 'leave something in one's will', 'change/update a will'.
will — verb
1. to try to make something happen by thinking about it very strongly, as if your m
to try to make something happen by thinking about it very strongly, as if your mind alone could change the result.
Hyun willed herself to stay awake until the rescue team arrived.
will + reflexive + to-infinitive
The runner willed his legs to keep moving even though every muscle ached.
Élise willed the phone to ring, hoping to hear good news about her job application.
The crowd willed the team to score one final goal before the whistle blew.
Ravindra stood at the finish line and willed his daughter to cross it.
- force oneself to
emphasizes effort against resistance; more common in everyday speech
文法句型
will + object + to-infinitive
will + that-clause
用法筆記
Unlike the modal verb 'will' (which is always followed by a base verb), the main verb 'will' here takes an object plus a to-infinitive ('willed herself to continue'). It is fairly formal and describes a specific kind of mental act, not a general feeling.
常見錯誤
2. to want or desire something to happen, used in very formal or old-fashioned cont
to want or desire something to happen, used in very formal or old-fashioned contexts such as literature or official statements.
The queen willed that the ceremony begin at noon sharp.
will + that-clause for formal wish
Christopher willed that the funds be donated to build a new library in the village.
will + that-clause for formal wish
The old captain willed fair winds for the departing ship.
The council willed that the old building be preserved as a historic site.
Eleni willed nothing more than a quiet life away from the city noise.
文法句型
will + that-clause
will + noun (formal)
用法筆記
This sense is much less common in modern English. In most everyday contexts, 'want' or 'wish' are used instead. The that-clause form ('willed that...') appears mostly in literary or legal writing.
3. to pass your possessions or valuables to somebody through a legal document that
to pass your possessions or valuables to somebody through a legal document that takes effect when you die.
Harper's aunt willed her entire art collection to the local museum.
will + something + to + someone
Baraka willed a small portion of his savings to a children's charity.
The old fisherman willed his boat and fishing gear to his nephew.
Eleni's grandmother willed her jewellery collection to each of her granddaughters.
The wealthy landowner willed that his estate be turned into a public park.
文法句型
will + something + to + someone
will + someone + something
用法筆記
More common verbs for everyday use are 'leave' or 'give'. 'Will' as a verb in this sense is a formal legal term and appears mostly in discussions about inheritance and wills (noun sense 3).