Course on Modals - TOEIC® Preparation

In the context of the TOEIC®, mastering modals to talk about intention or near future is essential. This course focuses mainly on the modal auxiliary will, the structure be going to, as well as some less common expressions (such as shall or be about to). We will see in which contexts each form is used, how to construct them, and what nuances they bring.

1. "Will" for expressing simple future and spontaneous intention

Will is traditionally considered as the basic modal auxiliary for expressing the future. However, it is not only used to express a general future: it can also indicate an intention, a promise, a decision made on the spot, or a prediction.

A. "Will" for expressing a spontaneous decision

Will is used to express a decision made on the spot, without prior planning. It is an immediate reaction to a situation or need. This modal shows that the speaker acts spontaneously according to circumstances.

• I'm tired. I think I will go to bed now.
• You dropped your pen. I'll pick it up for you.
• I'm too tired. I won't go out tonight.
• Will you wait for me if I'm late?

B. "Will" for making an offer or a promise

With will, you can offer help, make a promise, or reassure someone. This structure expresses a clear intention and a reliable commitment, often used to show one's willingness to act or support someone.

• I'll help you prepare for the test.
• Don't worry, I'll take care of everything.
• I won't forget to call you, I promise.
• Will you promise to be on time?

C. "Will" for talking about a "neutral" or general future

Will is also used to describe future events without a particular context or without obvious evidence. It is often used for general predictions or facts considered inevitable.

• It will rain tomorrow.
• Sales will increase next quarter.
• The sun won't shine all day.
• Will the economy recover soon?

2. "Be going to" for expressing a planned intention and near future

The structure be going to is extremely common and often more precise than will for talking about already established intentions or future events deemed very likely. It consists of the verb to be (conjugated according to the subject) followed by going to, then the base verb.

A. "be going to" for talking about a project or already decided intention

Be going to is used when the intention or decision was made before the moment of speaking. It is a thoughtful or planned action, often accompanied by a clear context. Unlike will, this form suggests that the speaker has already considered and decided the action.

• I'm going to move to London next month.
• They're going to organize a party for his birthday.
• I'm not going to move to London next month.
• Are they going to organize a party for his birthday?

B. "Be going to" for making a prediction based on evidence

Be going to is used to make a prediction when something in the present clearly indicates what is going to happen. This form is perfect when based on visible clues, reliable information, or current circumstances.

• Look at those clouds! It's going to rain.
• She's going to have a baby soon.
• It's not going to rain today. The sky is clear.
• Is she going to have a baby soon?

C. "will" and "be going to", which to use?

When to use "will"?

• Spontaneous decision: When the decision is made on the spot, without prior preparation.
  • I'll help you with your bags. → The speaker decides immediately after seeing the bags.
• Promise or commitment: To reassure someone or guarantee a future action.
  • I'll never leave you.

When to use "be going to"?

• Thoughtful intention or project: When the decision was made before the moment of speaking.
  • I'm going to quit my job. → The decision to quit was made before the conversation.
• Prediction with evidence: When relying on current clues or visible facts.
  • Look at the traffic. We're going to be late.

3. "Shall" for expressing intentional future (especially in British English)

Shall is a rarer modal in modern English (especially American), but it remains used in certain expressions. It is mainly found in the first person singular (I) or plural (we). It can sometimes appear in formal contexts (legal texts, for example) to express an obligation or certainty about the future.

A. "Shall" for making an offer, suggestion, or invitation

In British English, shall is often used to propose something or ask for a suggestion. This construction is particularly common in questions in the first person singular or plural.

• Shall we go to the cinema tonight?
• Shall I open the window?
• Shall we not discuss this matter further?
• Shall we meet at the usual place tomorrow?

This use of shall is rare in American English, where alternatives like should or will are often preferred. For example, an American would say:

• Should we go to the cinema tonight?

We detail more the use of shall for making a suggestion in this course

B. "Shall" in a formal or legal context

In legal documents, contracts or official texts, shall is used to establish obligations or actions to be performed. It expresses a certainty or a clearly defined requirement. This use is rigid and standardized, making it a frequent choice in this type of context.

• The tenant shall pay the rent on the first day of each month. → This sentence expresses a clear contractual obligation. Shall is used here to formulate a non-negotiable rule.
• The company shall provide a safe working environment.
• The employee shall not disclose confidential information.
• Shall the contractor submit the documents by the agreed deadline?

4. "Be about to" for talking about an imminent action

The phrase "be about to + base verb" is particularly useful for describing an action very close in the future, almost immediate. It is used for something that is going to happen shortly, sometimes literally in a few seconds or minutes.

• I am about to leave the office.
• He isn't about to give up now.
• Are you about to start the meeting?

5. "Be to" for talking about something scheduled or planned

The structure "be to + base verb" is often used in a formal context or in the press to express that an event is scheduled, officially planned, or ordered.

• The president is to visit the capital next week.
• They are to be married in June.

6. Use of planning or intention verbs

Although these verbs are not strictly modal auxiliaries, they are frequently used to express the intention or future realization of an action. These verbs are followed by the infinitive and often appear in present sentences to talk about a planned future.

Among the most common:

• Plan (to do something)
  • I plan to take the TOEIC® exam next month.
• Intend (to do something)
  • She intends to apply for a job abroad.
• Expect (to do something)
  • We expect to finish the project by Friday.

Conclusion

To succeed in your TOEIC®, it is essential to grasp the nuances between these different ways of expressing the future or an intention. The two most important constructions to master remain will and be going to, as they are ubiquitous both in writing and speaking.

Variants like shall, be about to, or be to may appear in more specific contexts (British English speakers, formal situations, or elevated language). Finally, using verbs like plan, intend, or expect allows for clearly expressing an intention while maintaining a direct style.

Summary on modals expressing intention or near future

Key Points to Remember on Modals Expressing Intention or Near Future

1. Difference between "Will" and "Be going to": Do not confuse a general prediction (It will rain tomorrow.) with a prediction based on visible evidence (It's going to rain.).
   • Will is used for spontaneous decisions, promises, and general predictions without immediate evidence.
     • I'll call you later. → Decision made on the spot.
   • Be going to indicates a thoughtful intention or a prediction based on visible clues.
     • Look at the clouds. It's going to rain.
2. Nuances with "Shall": Do not use "shall" in an informal or familiar context.
   • In British English, shall is often used to propose a suggestion or an invitation (Shall we go?).
   • In legal English, shall expresses a strict obligation or rule, but it is uncommon in everyday English.
   • American English: Shall is replaced by should or will in most cases.
3. "Be about to" vs "Be going to": Do not use be about to if the action is planned for a distant future.
   • Be about to is used only for actions very close in time, often in the immediate future.
     • I'm about to leave.
   • Be going to can cover longer periods, for planned projects or predictions.
     • I'm going to leave next week.
4. "Be to": Formality and strict planning
   • Be to is reserved for very formal or official contexts (e.g., press, contract).
     • The president is to visit the capital next week.
   • This structure is rarely used in spoken language and might seem too rigid in a casual conversation.
5. Check the clues to choose between "Will" and "Be going to":
   • If evidence or a clue is visible or known, use be going to.
     • Look at that car! It's going to crash.
   • If no evidence is available and it's a general prediction, use will.
     • The stock market will recover soon.
6. Verbs of intention: Pay attention to the temporal nuance
   • Verbs like plan, intend, or expect are not modals, but their use in the present or future adds precision.
   • I plan to take the TOEIC®. → Thoughtful intention.
   • They are often preferred in formal or written contexts.
   • These verbs do not combine with modals (I will plan to... is incorrect).

Other courses on modals

To learn more about modals, you can read our various courses on the subject:

• 🔗 Overview on modals for TOEIC®
• 🔗 Course on expressing ability for TOEIC®
• 🔗 Course on expressing permission for TOEIC®
• 🔗 Course on expressing obligation for TOEIC®
• 🔗 Course on expressing prohibition for TOEIC®
• 🔗 Course on expressing lack of obligation for TOEIC®
• 🔗 Course on expressing advice for TOEIC®
• 🔗 Course on expressing suggestion and proposal for TOEIC®
• 🔗 Course on expressing probability and uncertainty for TOEIC®
• 🔗 Course on expressing preference and wish for TOEIC®