What is difference between will and will be
by Yogi P - October 18, 2023
Understanding the Difference between Will and Will Be
Confusion between two words often plagues the English language. This is especially true when two distinct words such as ‘will’ and ‘will be’ are used interchangeably in a sentence. To clarify the concept, we’ll define both words and provide real-life examples of their usage.
Will
Will is a modal verb that is used for many purposes. It is mostly used to form a future tense, indicating events that will take place. But it is also used for making predictions or expressing wishes. It can be used in combination with other verbs to express a greater meaning.
Will Be
Will be is an auxiliary verb formed when ‘will’ is combined with ‘be’. It is mostly used to talk about the future, or to express planned actions and intentions which will take place in the future.
Table Summarising the difference between will and will be
| Aspect | Will | Will Be |
|---|---|---|
| Part of Speech | Auxiliary verb | Auxiliary verb |
| Tense | Simple future tense | Future continuous tense |
| Formation | Subject + will + base form of verb | Subject + will be + present participle |
| Example | He will come tomorrow. | She will be studying all night. |
| Usage | Indicates a future action or event | Indicates a future continuous action or ongoing event |
| Duration | Refers to an action or event that happens in the future | Refers to an action or event that will be in progress in the future |
| Time Frame | Typically used for single, discrete events | Typically used for ongoing actions or events |
| Emphasis | Emphasizes the action itself | Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action |
Difference between will and will be – Meaning and Usage:
The main difference between ‘will’ and ‘will be’ is in their meaning and usage. While ‘will’ is mostly used to make predictions or express desires, ‘will be’ is used to talk about things that are going to happen in the future.
Another difference is in their usage, ‘will’ can be used either as a modal verb, adverb, or conjunction, whereas ‘will be’ is always used as an auxiliary verb.
Examples of difference between will and will be:
Here are some examples that demonstrate the proper usage of both words in real-life sentences:
- I will do my best to ace the exam.
- The train will be arriving at 11 am.
- I will visit my grandparents next year.
- We will be hosting a party this weekend.
Activity to Enhance Understanding:
To understand the correct usage of ‘will’ and ‘will be’, readers can undertake the following exercise: Analyse different texts to identify how the grammar of ‘will’ and ‘will be’ are used in them. This exercise will help to familiarise the reader with the use of these words in real-life contexts.
Conclusion:
As we have seen, the main difference between ‘will’ and ‘will be’ is their meaning and usage. While ‘will’ is used to express intentions and desires, ‘will be’ is used to talk about things that are going to happen in the future. It’s important to understand the nuances of these two words and use them accurately in sentences to ensure clear communication.
