Expressing spontaneous offers and decisions

Using the Future Simple tense to express spontaneous and future decisions

The future simple tense is used to express future intentions that are decided at the time of speaking (spontaneous offers, promises and decisions):

• Come on, I'll help you with those bags. (offer)
• I'll have a vegan burger. (decision)

Use will when there is no prior plan or decision to do something. Make the decision at the time of speaking spontaneously. Look at these examples:

• Maybe we'll stay in and watch television tonight.

A spontaneous decision is one that we make based on current circumstances. When we must make a fast choice, this is an instant decision. These are not our intentions for the future, but a decision we make very quickly.

• For example, imagine that you are in a restaurant and the waiter has offered you two specials: chicken or pasta.
  • Hmm, both of the specials sound really good, but I think I will have the chicken.

Spontaneous decisions

If a future action or situation occurs that was not planned, the verb “will” is used. Similarly, we use this verb to express a spontaneous decision or any other event that was not anticipated.

Examples:

• Come on, we will meet there only for a few minutes.
• We will go shopping after lunch.
• We will grill pork tonight.

Expressing Offerings

We offer to do or say something to someone using will.

Examples:

• Don’t worry, I'll go shopping tomorrow.
• I'll help you make dinner!
• (Doorbell rings) “I'll get it!”
• I'll talk to him if you like.
• David will finish painting the garage for you.