will

Use this to say that you expect something to happen in the future.

• It will rain tomorrow.
• The children will be hungry after school.
• Will the shop be open on Sunday?

How to use it: will + base verb (The bus will arrive soon.)

Common phrases: will happen, will rain, will arrive, will begin

Use this to say that you have decided or intend to do something.

• I will call you tonight.
• We will ask the teacher tomorrow.
• I will finish this, whatever happens.

How to use it: will + base verb (I will bring some food.)

Common phrases: will help, will call, will try

Use this to say that something can do a particular job or has enough space or strength.

• This bag will hold my books.
• The car will seat six people comfortably.
• Will that key open the back door?

How to use it: will + base verb (This room will hold twenty people.)

Similar words: can, be able to

Common phrases: will fit, will hold, will seat

To wish very strongly for something to happen, as if your thoughts could make it happen.

• She willed the pain to stop.
• He willed himself to stay awake.
• They silently willed their team to score.

How to use it: will someone/something to + verb (She willed her tired legs to keep moving.)

Similar words: wish

Common phrases: will something, will someone on

To arrange officially for someone to receive your money or property after you die.

• He willed his house to me.
• My grandmother willed me her jewellery.
• She has willed her collection to the museum.

How to use it: will something to someone (He willed his farm to his daughter.); will someone something (Her aunt willed her a small cottage.)

Similar words: leave, bequeath

Common phrases: will something to someone, will someone something

An official document saying who should receive your money and property after you die.

• Dad has made a will.
• She left her savings to us in her will.
• The lawyer kept copies of both wills.

Similar words: testament

Common phrases: make a will, write a will, in someone’s will

The strength of mind that helps you continue when something is difficult.

• She has a strong will.
• His will helped him through months of treatment.
• They never lost the will to fight.

How to use it: will to + verb (Her will to succeed kept her working.)

Similar words: determination, willpower, resolve

Common phrases: strong will, sheer will, will to succeed

What someone consciously wants or intends to do.

• I stayed against my will.
• She left of her own free will.
• The vote expressed the will of the people.

How to use it: against someone’s will (They took him away against his will.); of someone’s own free will (She joined the group of her own free will.); will to + verb (He still had a will to live.)

Similar words: wish, intention, desire, volition

Common phrases: against someone’s will, someone’s own will, will to live