Neutral Will

so far:

(1) we use the presentto refer to the future

this is called aspect

aspect shows how we viewthe future

present simple timetabled eventsabout to immediate futuregoing to future intentions

present continuous future plans

(2) Will and Shall arepresent tense modal verbs

(2) Will and Shall arepresent tense modal verbs

that express willingness

modal will and shall willingnessnon-modal will and shall escape from aspect!

(3) Will and Shall areauxiliaries for the neutral future

but what is the neutral future

?

these books don’t agree on what the neutral future is

neutral future means:

neutral future means:

a). no aspect, or

neutral future means:

a). no aspect, orb). aspect is already

communicated

a). no aspectno decision

I’ll be 50 in December.

I’ll be 50 in December.

no decision

a). no aspectno prediction

The next Olympics will be held in Rio.

The next Olympics will be held in Rio.

no prediction

a). no aspectB.P.T.

I’ll be here at 9 o’clock.

I’ll be here at 9 o’clock.

be

I’ll be here at 9 o’clock.

be place

I’ll be here at 9 o’clock.

be place time

I’ll be here at 9 o’clock.

B P T

N.B.

I’m going to arrive hereat 9 o’clock.

I’m going to arrive hereat 9 o’clock.

main verb is ‘arrive’(not be)

I’m going to arrive hereat 9 o’clock.

so we use‘going to’not ‘will’

I’ll arrive hereat 9 o’clock.

so we use‘going to’not ‘will’

b). aspect is elsewherein the 1st verb

I’m sureI’m not sure

that I’ll go.

I’m sureI’m not sure

that I’ll go.

aspect isHERE

I’m sureI’m not sure

that I’ll go.

aspect isHERE

so this part is neutral

I’m sureI’m not sure

that I’ll go.

I’m sureI’m not sure

that I’ll go.

NB ‘certainty’ is NOT a useful

concept

I thinkI don’t think

(that) I’ll stay.

I know (that) she’ll like it.

I don’t know if she’ll like it.

b). aspect is elsewherein an adverb

PerhapsMaybe

it’ll rain later.

It’ll probably rain later.

It’ll probably rain later.

It probably won’t rain later.

It’ll probably rain later.

It probably won’t rain later.

notice that ‘probably’ changes

position

b). aspect is elsewhere‘when’ and ‘what time’

WhenWhat time

will you arrive?

some cases

I’ll meet John for a coffee.

neutral future?

I’ll meet John for a coffee.

NO!

I’ll meet John for a coffee.

modal will to respond to a need

“What will you do with John?”“I’ll meet John for a coffee.”

I’m going to meet Johnfor a coffee

I’m going to meet Johnfor a coffee

I have this plan

I’m going to meet Johnfor a coffee

it’s already decided

I’m going to meet Johnfor a coffee

‘going to’ for the intentional future

when talking about decisionsthere’s a clear contrast between

modal willand

going to

I’ll meet John for a coffee.

I’m going to meet Johnfor a coffee

I’ll meet John for a coffee.

I’m going to meet Johnfor a coffee

new decision

already decided

I’ll meet John for a coffee.

I’m going to meet Johnfor a coffee

new decision

indicative:factual

I’ll meet John for a coffee.

I’m going to meet Johnfor a coffee

modal:interpersonal

interaction

present

I’ll meet John for a coffee.

I’m going to meet Johnfor a coffee

present

Will you go awayat the weekend?

Will you go awayat the weekend?

neutralfuture

?

Will you go awayat the weekend?

modalwillingness

?

Will you go awayat the weekend?

modalwillingness

?

neutralfuture

?

Will you go awayat the weekend

please?

modalwillingness

?

choose ‘will’ or ‘going to’

I ______ tennis with John tomorrow [play].

Maybe I ______ tennis with John tomorrow [play].

I think that I ______ the match at your house [watch].

What ______ you ______ after you finish university [do]?

What ______ he ______ if he can’t find the address [do]?

Please come in. I ______ a chair for you [get].

I’m not sure I ______ this film [like].

______ you ______ me with my homework [help]?

We ______ friends in Spain this summer [visit].

The next G8 ______ in Russia [not be held].

I ______ in the library after the lesson [be].

choose ‘will’ or ‘going to’

I’m going to play tennis with John tomorrow.

Maybe I’ll play tennis with John tomorrow.

I think that I’ll watch the match at your house.

What are you going to do after you finish university?

What will he do if he can’t find the address?

Please come in. I’ll get a chair for you.

I’m not sure I’ll like this film.

Will you help me with my homework?

We’re going to visit friends in Spain this summer.

The next G8 won’t be held in Russia.

I’ll be in the library after the lesson.

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