will

I UK [wɪl] / US modal verb ***

Summary:

Will is usually followed by an infinitive without "to": She will be angry. Sometimes it is used without a following infinitive: I never have borrowed money, and I never will. In conversation or informal writing will is often shortened to 'll: Do you think it'll rain?
Will does not change its form, so the third person singular form does not end in "-s": Robert will be there. Questions and negatives are formed without "do": Will you help me? ♦ They will not accept our offer. The negative form will not is often shortened to won't in conversation or informal writing: Don't worry – the dog won't bite you.
Will is often used in question tags: You won't tell Dad, will you?
Will has no participles and no infinitive form. It is used for forming the future tense of other verbs, but does not have a future tense of its own.
Would can sometimes be used as the past tense of will, for example in indirect speech introduced by a verb in the past tense: He promised that he would return.
Will have forms the future perfect tense, which is used for describing actions that are expected to be completed before a time in the future: By the end of the course, you will have learned all the basic skills.

1) used for talking about future actions or events

a) used for saying what you expect to happen in the future

Let's finish the job now – it won't take long.

Who do you think will win on Saturday?

b) used for saying what is planned or arranged for a future occasion

There will be a short ceremony at the war memorial.

The President will attend a lunch hosted by the Queen.

2) used for showing that you are fairly certain used for showing that you are fairly certain that something is true

Most of you will know about the problems we've been having.

There's the doorbell. That'll be Janet.

3) to be willing used for saying that you are willing to do something or that you intend to do it

If you won't tell him the truth, I will.

Who'll help me in the kitchen?

will be glad/pleased/happy to do something:

I'll be glad to answer any questions that you may have.

4) used in requests used for asking someone to do something, especially when you are annoyed

Will you please listen to what I'm saying!

Will someone kindly tell me what is going on around here?

5) used for offering something used for making a polite offer or invitation

Will you have a cup of tea?

Won't you stay for lunch?

6) used for showing possibility used for saying whether something is possible

Will these gloves fit you?

£30 will buy enough food for a family for a week.

7) formal used in orders and rules used for ordering that something must be done

All staff will attend regular training courses.

You will not leave this house without my permission.

8) when something always happens used for saying what always happens in certain situations

Natural rubber will stretch easily when pulled.

9) when someone often does something used for saying that someone has a habit of doing something, especially when you do not approve of what they are doing

If you will keep interrupting me, how can I answer your question?

They'll happily spend the whole day playing computer games.

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will have (done something) — used for saying that you expect an action to be completed before a time in the future

We will have gone to bed by the time you arrive.

something will not work/start/open etc — used for saying that you cannot make something do what it should do, although you have tried

The engine won't start.

See:

will o' the wisp

II UK [wɪl] / US noun
Word forms "will":
singular will plural wills
***

1) [countable/uncountable] someone's determination to do what is necessary to achieve what they want

strong/iron will:

Mr Wolski had an iron will and learned to walk again.

the will to do something:

Without the will to win, the team won't go far.

battle/clash of wills:

a clash of wills between a manager and an employee

a) [singular] what someone wants to happen

will of:

For once politicians are listening to the will of the people.

against someone's will:

He claims he was held in the flat against his will.

impose your will on someone (= make other people do what you want):

She was a powerful ruler, used to imposing her will.

See:

goodwill

b) [singular] an ability to make decisions and take action

This machine seems to have a will of its own.

See:

free will

2) [countable] legal a legal document that explains what you want to happen to your money and possessions after you die. This is often more formally called a last will and testament

make/write a will:

I really should make a will, just in case something happens.

in someone's will:

Ed's father didn't leave him anything in his will.

See:

living will

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- at will

- where there's a will, there's a way

- with the best will in the world

III UK [wɪl] / US verb [transitive]
Word forms "will":
present tense I/you/we/they will he/she/it wills present participle willing past tense willed past participle willed
**

1) to make something happen by wishing for it very strongly

He was convinced he could win if he willed it enough.

will someone/something to do something:

She sat silently, willing him to continue.

I willed myself not to respond to his ridiculous claims.

2) to formally give someone something after you die by stating it in a will

The estate had been willed to his favourite granddaughter.

3) an old word meaning "to want or intend something to happen"

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what you/they will — formal used for saying that someone is free to do or choose whatever they want

"Tyrant", "bully" – call him what you will – we couldn't do the job without him.

- if you will