III. ''Will'' as a modal verb

There is a tendency to regard will and shall as modal verbs in English Grammar.

The modal will denotes:

a) predictions that refer to the present or past. This “prediction” meaning may sometimes be broadened still further to include general or habitual predictions. In many general statements “habitual predictions” come to have the force of “typical or characteristic behaviour”. ;

• That will be electrician - I’m expecting him to call about some rewiring. (on hearing the doorbell ring)

• If litmus paper is dipped in acid, it will turn red.

• A lion will attack a human being only when hungry.

• Truth will out.

• Boys will be boys.

• The auditorium will seat 500.

b) volitions, will or wish of the speaker, his/her promises, threats or warnings;

• Will you sign these papers? (request)

• Will you please open the door for me?

• Father won't let me go. (refusal)

• If you will fill in the form I will see to your accommodations.

• He will go swimming in dangerous waters.

• I will go to the dance! You can’t stop me!

c) in questions to denote request, offer, order, invitation:

• Will you come this way, please?

• Will you say it again?

d) in negations to denote impossibility as refusal (animate subject), rejection, failure to perform the immediate function (inanimate object):

• I will never speak to you again.

• The car won’t start.

IV. ''Shall'' as a modal verb

The modal shall denotes:

a) confident expectations with I or we;

• We shall leave New York on September 4.

b) suggestions, offers and invitations, request and advice in the interrogative with I or we;

• Shall we wait for James?

• Shall we dance?

• What shall I answer him, Tom?

c) commands, rules or regulations in legal or quasi-legal documents. Here shall could be replaced by must (=obligation);

• All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress (the US Constitution).

• A player who bids incorrectly shall forfeit fifty points. (rules of a card game)

• The hood shall be of scarlet cloth, with silk lining of the colour of the faculty. (rules for academic dress)

• They shall of course invite their in-laws.

d) promises, threats, determination, warnings or favours granted (used in reference to pets or young children).

• I give you my word: the work shall be done in time.

• I shall inform you if the situation changes.

• We shall succeed where others have failed.

• Good dog, you shall have a bone when we get home.

• She shall be rewarded if she is patient.

• No one will escape.

• You mind my word he shall do what he has promised to.

The Future Continuous Tense

I. The Formation

The Future Continuous is formed by means of the Future Indefinite of the Auxiliary verb ''to be'' and Participle I of the notional verb.

• He will be reading.

• Will he be reading?

• He will not be reading.

II. The Use

1) The Future Continuous is used to denote an action which will be going on at a definite moment in the future.

• This time tomorrow I will be flying to Bucharest.

• I will still be working when you return.

2) The Future Continuous is used to make predictions about something we believe to be the case now:

• You can’t interrupt her now. She’ll be getting ready to go on stage, won’t she?

• “What’s the noise?” – “It’ll be Ron next door. He’s learning to play the trumpet.”

3) The Future Continuous is used to denote actions which will definitely happen in the future as the result of a previous arrangement.

• I can't go with you. I will be helping my mum.

• ‘How about joining us at the cottage this Sunday?’ – ‘Oh, we can’t. We’ll be coming back from Edinburgh on Sunday.”

• Trains won’t be running between East Putney and Putney Bridge this weekend due to essential track repairs.

4) As with the future continuous the future event is seen as arranged, we use it as a tactful way of asking about someone’s plans or refusing an invitation:

• Will you be staying long?

• I’m sorry, I can’t come to your wedding as I’ll be working on that day.

• Shall we be meeting tomorrow, Mr. Brown?

• Will Helen be using the fax machine for long? I have to send a fax.

5) The Future Continuous is used to express future without intention. That means that a predicted event will happen independently of the will or intention of anyone concerned. When we use the Future Continuous we mean that the action is inevitable:

• I’ll be seeing Tom tomorrow.

• I’ll be seeing Mr Kennedy at the court tomorrow – he’s always there on Thursdays – so we can discuss your case briefly then.