VERBS

Will, might, going to (to make predictions)

We can use "will", "might" and "going to" to make predictions in English. We often do this when we talk about the weather, for example.

We use "will" when we are sure that something will happen.
"It will be sunny later." (100% probability)
We use "might" when something is less sure.
"It might rain later. Take an umbrella with you." (50% probability)
The negative forms are:
"It won't…"
"It won't snow until December."
"It might not…"
"It might not be sunny at the beach."

Going to

We can use the verb "going to" (in the Present continuous tense) to talk about things that will happen because we can see evidence now.
"I think it's going to rain." (I can see black clouds.)
"I think we are going to have a storm." (The temperature is hot, there's no wind, and I can see black clouds.)
To use this in the negative, either say "I don't think…" or "It isn't going to…"
"I don't think it's going to rain."
"It isn't going to get hotter next week."

Read these typical weather forecast sentences and choose the correct answer.

1. It will be hot and sunny all weekend.

• It is going to be a nice weekend.
• It might be a nice weekend.
• It might rain.

2. It will be dry all next week.

• It might rain next week.
• It won't rain next week.
• It is going to rain next week.

3. Cold temperatures will also bring snow and ice.

• There might be snow and ice.
• There is going to be snow and ice.
• It won't be cold.

4. Temperatures will fall to freezing and there might be ice on the roads.

• There will be ice on the roads.
• It is going to be icy.
• It will be cold.

5. It is going to be a fine weekend in most parts of the country.

• It might be nice this weekend.
• It won't be nice everywhere.
• It is going to be sunny everywhere.

6. Temperatures will be a lot milder than usual.

• It is going to be cold.
• It might be cold.
• It won't be cold.

7. There might be storms at the weekend.

• There are going to be storms on Saturday or Sunday.
• There will be storms on Saturday or Sunday.
• It might rain on Saturday or Sunday.

8. It will be cloudy all day and it might rain tomorrow.

• It won't rain tomorrow.
• It isn't going to be sunny today.
• It is going to rain today and tomorrow.

9. Heavy rain will move into the western parts of the country first thing on Saturday morning.

• It is going to rain in the west.
• It is going to rain on Friday.
• It won't rain very much.

10. The rain will gradually move eastwards, arriving at the most eastern parts of the country by Sunday morning.

• It might rain in the east.
• There will be heavy rain.
• The rain will reach the east.

Auxiliary Verbs "Will/Would" and "Shall/Should"

The verbs will, would, shall, should, can, could, may, might, and must cannot be the main (full) verbs alone. They are used as auxiliary verbs only and always need a main verb to follow.

Will

Used to express desire, preference, choice, or consent:

• I will take this duty.
• Will you stop talking like that?

Used to express the future:

• It will rain tomorrow.
• The news will spread soon.

Used to express capacity or capability:

• This bucket will hold two gallons of water.
• This airplane will take 200 passengers.

Used to express determination, insistence, or persistence:

• I will do it as you say.

Would (past form of will)

Often used in auxiliary functions with rather to express preference:

• I would rather go shopping today.
• We’d rather say something than stay quiet.

Used to express a wish or desire:

• I would like to have one more pencil.

Used to express contingency or possibility:

• If I were you, I would be so happy.

Used to express routine or habitual things:

• Normally, we would work until 6 p.m.

Shall

Mainly used in American English to ask questions politely (it has more usages in British English). For the future tense, will is more frequently used in American English than shall.

• Shall we dance?
• Shall I go now?
• Let’s drink, shall we?

Often used in formal settings to deliver obligation or requirement:

• You shall abide by the law.
• There shall be no trespassing on this property.
• Students shall not enter this room.

Should (past form of shall)

Often used in auxiliary functions to express an opinion, suggestion, preference, or idea:

• You should rest at home today.
• I should take a bus this time.
• He should be more thoughtful in the decision-making process.

Used to express that you wish something had happened but it didn’t or couldn’t (should + have + past participle):

• You should have seen it. It was really beautiful.
• I should have completed it earlier to meet the deadline.
• We should have visited the place on the way.

Used to ask for someone’s opinion:

• What should we do now?
• Should we continue our meeting?
• Should we go this way?
• Where should we go this summer?

Used to say something expected or correct:

• There should be an old city hall building here.
• Everybody should arrive by 6 p.m.
• We should be there this evening.

Past Perfect

• You had studied English before you moved to New York.
• Had you studied English before you moved to New York?
• You had not studied English before you moved to New York.