(1) The document discusses the use of will and shall as modal verbs that express willingness and their use in forming the neutral future tense. (2) The neutral future tense refers to using will or shall to talk about the future without implying any aspect (viewpoint) such as prediction, intention, or plan. It can be used when the aspect is already clear from other context cues. (3) Examples are provided to illustrate using will for the neutral future when there is no implied aspect, as well as when the aspect is communicated elsewhere, such as through adverbs or verbs in the same sentence. The differences between will and going to are also explained.

1. Neutral Will

2. so far:

3. (1) we use the present
to refer to the future

4. this is called aspect

5. aspect shows how we view
the future

6. present simple timetabled events
about to immediate future
going to future intentions
present continuous future plans

7. (2) Will and Shall are
present tense modal verbs

8. (2) Will and Shall are
present tense modal verbs
that express willingness

9. modal will and shall willingness
non-modal will and shall escape from aspect!

10. (3) Will and Shall are
auxiliaries for the neutral future

11. but what is the neutral future
?

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

14. neutral future means:

15. neutral future means:
a). no aspect, or

16. neutral future means:
a). no aspect, or
b). aspect is already
communicated

17. a). no aspect
no decision

18. I’ll be 50 in December.

19. I’ll be 50 in December.
no decision

20. a). no aspect
no prediction

21. The next Olympics will be held
in Rio.

22. The next Olympics will be held
in Rio.
no prediction

23. a). no aspect
B.P.T.

24. I’ll be here at 9 o’clock.

25. I’ll be here at 9 o’clock.
be

26. I’ll be here at 9 o’clock.
be place

27. I’ll be here at 9 o’clock.
be place time

28. I’ll be here at 9 o’clock.
B P T

29. N.B.

30. I’m going to arrive here
at 9 o’clock.

31. I’m going to arrive here
at 9 o’clock.
main verb is
‘arrive’
(not be)

32. I’m going to arrive here
at 9 o’clock.
so we use
‘going to’
not ‘will’

33. I’ll arrive here
at 9 o’clock.
so we use
‘going to’
not ‘will’

34. b). aspect is elsewhere
in the 1st verb

35. I’m sure
I’m not sure
that I’ll go.

36. I’m sure
I’m not sure
that I’ll go.
aspect is
HERE

37. I’m sure
I’m not sure
that I’ll go.
aspect is
HERE
so this part
is neutral

38. I’m sure
I’m not sure
that I’ll go.

39. I’m sure
I’m not sure
that I’ll go.
NB ‘certainty’ is
NOT a useful
concept

40. I think
I don’t think
(that) I’ll stay.

41. I know (that) she’ll like it.
I don’t know if she’ll like it.

42. b). aspect is elsewhere
in an adverb

43. Perhaps
Maybe
it’ll rain later.

44. It’ll probably rain later.

45. It’ll probably rain later.
It probably won’t rain later.

46. It’ll probably rain later.
It probably won’t rain later.
notice that
‘probably’ changes
position

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

48. When
What time
will you arrive?

49. some cases

50. I’ll meet John for a coffee.
neutral future?

51. I’ll meet John for a coffee.
NO!

52. I’ll meet John for a coffee.
modal will to
respond to a need

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

54. I’m going to meet John
for a coffee

55. I’m going to meet John
for a coffee
I have this plan

56. I’m going to meet John
for a coffee
it’s already
decided

57. I’m going to meet John
for a coffee
‘going to’ for the
intentional future

58. when talking about decisions
there’s a clear contrast between
modal will
and
going to

59. I’ll meet John for a coffee.
I’m going to meet John
for a coffee

60. I’ll meet John for a coffee.
I’m going to meet John
for a coffee
new decision

61. already decided
I’ll meet John for a coffee.
I’m going to meet John
for a coffee
new decision

62. indicative:
factual
I’ll meet John for a coffee.
I’m going to meet John
for a coffee
modal:
interpersonal
interaction

63. present
I’ll meet John for a coffee.
I’m going to meet John
for a coffee
present

64. Will you go away
at the weekend?

65. Will you go away
at the weekend?
neutral
future
?

66. Will you go away
at the weekend?
modal
willingness
?

67. Will you go away
at the weekend?
modal
willingness
?
neutral
future
?

68. Will you go away
at the weekend
please?
modal
willingness
?

69. 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].

70. 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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