0
Avangi Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Modal or future?

We will have to sell the house.

It seems to me that this is simple future tense, but an English site seemed to treat "will" as a modal.

What's our opinion?

I'll have to get back to you on that.

Thanks, - A.
  

Top answer

will is by definition a modal verb. It happens to be a rather special modal because one of its main uses is to create the future tense. Or maybe I didn't understand your question.

— CalifJim

  • will is by definition a modal verb.
  • It happens to be a rather special modal because one of its main uses is to create the future tense.
  • Or maybe I didn't understand your question.
  • CJ
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

8 Answers
0
will is by definition a modal verb. It happens to be a rather special modal because one of its main uses is to create the future tense.

Or maybe I didn't understand your question.
0
0
Hi,

Is the point you are asking about simply 'will', or is it really 'will have to'?

In eg I have to sell, 'have to' is a modal structure meaning 'must'.
Thus, I will have to sell is the futur
0
0
Well, historically, willan - the "ancestor" of the modern will - meant "to want". So, in some modern contexts, this original meaning is still perceivable:

The engine will not start. (i.e. doesn't "want" to start)
The door will not open. (i.e. doesn't "want" to open, "refuses" to open)
People will talk. (i.e. are inclined and willing to talk)
0
0
CalifJimOr maybe I didn't understand your question.
Au contraire, mon ami. Emotion: happy
0
0
CliveIs the point you are asking about simply 'will', or is it really 'will have to'?
That's a good question, Clive. I was confused by the presentation on another site.

They were discussing modal "will" vs "have to." After treating each separately, they seemed to suggest that the two could be combined, but without any in-depth analysis.

Tha
0
0
vchekh Here, its function is purely grammatical - it only conveys the meaning of futurity.
Thanks, vdhekh. This confirms my suspicions.
I guess I should stop worrying about definitions! - A.

Edit. Would you say that by stressing the "will" in speech, we can inject a bit of volition?
We will have to sell th
0
0
AvangiI suspect that what I'm hearing is an intensified certainty or obligation, not volition.
As in the WWII movies, "You VILL obey!" ???
0

Related Questions