The verb wil is one of the fundamental verbs in English. Let us analyze in detail how the interrogative and negative form of the sentence is formed using the verb will. Consider the main grammar rules to correctly use this verb in speech.
What does the verb will mean
Will is a modal verb in English. This means that it is not only independent, but also helps other verbs to indicate their form and time.
For example, the non-modal verb say in the infinitive is used with the particle to: to say. To indicate changes in time, it is necessary to use some form of the verb and, if necessary, modal verbs.
For instance:
I say. - I say.
He said. - He said.
He could say. - He could say.
She will say. - She will say.
She would say. “She would say that.”
Wil is used to:
- indicate the future time;
- express a promise or intention;
- order something to be done;
- voice a polite request or ask a courteous question;
- indicate persistence in a negative way.
Pay attention to the forms of the verb will. In the past tense, will - would. It would also be used as a “would” particle.
Example:
He would go to the cinema, but he is alone that day.
Transfer:
He would go to the movies, but he is alone today.
The difference between the verbs will and shall
Earlier, the verbs will and shall were used equally in the English language and had the same linguistic functions. The only difference was that shall was used with the first person pronouns in the plural and singular: I (I) and we (we). In all other cases, the verb will was used.
Now this border has been erased, and will can be used with any pronouns. Shall is used in modern English with a suggestion to do something. Example:
Shall we go to the cinema?
Transfer:
Let's go to the movies?
In colloquial use the past form of the verb Shall in the meaning of "worth it." The past Shall is Should, read as [ɭu: d].
Example:
Should I go to the cinema?
Transfer:
Should I go to the movies?
Negative will form
We will analyze the forms of the verb will by examples.
The negative form will will be used in both interrogative and affirmative sentences. In the case of interrogators, it is important to consider the type of sentence, which will be discussed later.
To put the verb will in negative form, you need to add the not particle after it.
Example:
I will not go for a walk tomorrow.
Transfer:
I won’t go for a walk tomorrow.
Will not can also be shortened to won't. This form is pronounced [wount]. Not to be confused with the pronunciation of the verb want: [wont].
Example:
He will not read this book. = He won't read this book.
Transfer:
He will not read the book.
Example:
They won't study before the exam.
Transfer:
They will not study before the exam.
Thus the negative form will will be formed.
Interrogative form will: general and W-question
To put the verb will in an interrogative form, you do not need to add anything to it. If the question belongs to the category of General Questions - questions that provide the answer “yes” or “no”, then you need to put the verb will in first place.
Example:
Will they speak to us today?
Transfer:
Will he talk to us today?
Note! One of the most common Russian-speaking errors in English is the use of speak with somebody instead of speak to somebody. The correct option is Speak TO somebody.
In the so-called W-questions, the verb will is not used in posing the question. By the way, W-questions are questions that suggest a detailed answer, and not just yes or no. This category of questions received such a name, since they mostly start with the following words:
- What.
- Who
- Why.
- When.
- Where.
- How.
- How much and the like.
Most question words begin with the English letter W.
Questions in this case are built according to the standard grammar rule, and will be used as part of the sentence.
For instance:
When you will eat your cake?
Transfer:
When will you eat your pie?
Example:
Where will she sleep?
Transfer:
Where she will sleep?
Please note: the verb will will not be placed at the beginning of a sentence in W-questions, as is the case with a general question.
Question form will: alternative and tag-questions
For alternative questions, the name speaks for itself: some alternative is proposed . Questions can be built on the principle of W-questions and on the principle of affirmative sentences.
For example (based on the W-questions principle):
What you will drink: tea or coffee?
Transfer:
What will you drink: tea or coffee?
For example (on the basis of affirmative sentences):
You will drink tea or coffee?
Transfer:
Will you drink tea or coffee?
Note! The pronoun you can be translated both as "you" and as "you" (both in the singular and in the plural).
If the question belongs to the category Tag Questions - questions with the so-called tail, "right?", Then it is necessary:
- To make an affirmative sentence, to which the conditional tail “will you?” Be added.
- Identify a negative or positive affirmative offer. Negative - if there is a particle not or other linguistic negatives: never, nobody, and so on.
- If the sentence is positive, then you need to put the verb Will in negative form, if the sentence is negative, then Will should be in positive form.
- Add the pronoun in the affirmative sentence to the verb Will.
So put the sentences in negative form.
Example:
You will visit your friends tomorrow, won't you?
Transfer:
You will visit your friends tomorrow, right?
The offer You will visit your friends tomorrow is positive, since the particle not and other pointers to negation are absent, therefore, will will be in the negative in the tail.
Example:
She won't start doing her homework this week, will she?
Transfer:
She will not start doing her homework this week, right?
The sentence She won't start doing her homework this week is negative, because the particle not (won't = will not) is present, because the verb will will stand in a positive form.
Please note that when translating into Russian, the tail “right” can be replaced by similar expressions that are appropriate in meaning and context.
Example:
You won't stop shouting, will you?
Transfer:
You won’t stop screaming, right?
Example:
They will go to sleep later, won't they?
Transfer:
They will go to sleep later, right?
Take context into account.
Example:
That bridge will be so happy with him, won't she?
Translation “That bride will be happy with him, right?” appropriate in a friendly conversation, but if the phrase is used in the context of a social event, it is better to say "That bride will be happy with him, will not she?"
Conclusion
Putting the verb will in interrogative or negative form is easy if you know the rules of English grammar. In fact, they resemble a simple formula in which you need to substitute the necessary words.
For those who have a linguistic sense, this will be easier to do.
Frequent practice, communication or watching films in English will strengthen the linguistic sense.