will*/*/*/

[wɪl] modal verb I

summary:

■ Will is usually followed by an infinitive without ‘to': She will be angry. Sometimes it is used without a following infinitive: I have never borrowed money, and I never will. ■ In conversation or informal writing will is often shortened to 'll: Do you think it'll rain? ■ Will has no participles and no infinitive form. 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.

1) talking about future actions or events used for saying what is planned or expected for the future

The President will attend a lunch hosted by the Queen.[/ex]

Let's finish the job now – it won't take long.[/ex]

2) 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.[/ex]

3) polite requests and offers used for asking or inviting someone to do something or for offering them something

Will you please listen to what I'm saying![/ex]

Won't you stay for lunch?[/ex]

4) showing possibility used for saying whether something is possible

Will these gloves fit you?[/ex]

£30 will buy enough food for a family for a week.[/ex]

5) when sth always happens used for saying what always happens in certain situations

Natural rubber will stretch easily when pulled.[/ex]

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

There's the doorbell. That'll be Janet.[/ex]

•

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

The engine won't start.[/ex]

II

noun

will */*/[wɪl]

1) [C/U] someone's determination to do what is necessary in order to achieve what they want

a child with a very strong will[/ex]

Without the will to win, the team won't go far.[/ex]

2) [singular] what someone wants to happen

the will of the people[/ex]

He claims he was kept in the flat against his will.[/ex]

See:

goodwill

3) [C] a legal document that explains what you want to happen to your money and possessions after you die

Ed's father didn't leave him anything in his will.[/ex]

•

at will — at any time that you want or choose[/ex]

Children were allowed to enter and leave at will.[/ex]

III

verb [T]

will [wɪl]

to make something happen by wishing for it very strongly