What are ‘will’ and ‘might’ for predictions?

Will and might are special verbs called modal verbs. We use them to talk about what we expect to happen in the future.

They help us express how sure or unsure we are about a prediction.

When to use will for predictions?

Use will when you are very sure or confident about a prediction. You believe something is very likely to happen.

• It shows a strong belief or expectation.
• We often use phrases like I think, I'm sure, or I believe with will.

When to use might for predictions?

Use might when you are less sure. It means something is possible, but not certain.

• It shows a possibility, not a strong expectation.
• The chance of it happening is lower than with will.
• Might is similar to may for expressing possibility.

How to form sentences with will and might?

Both will and might are modal verbs, so their structure is simple. They are the same for all persons (I, you, he, she, it, we, they).

• Positive: Subject + will/might + base form of the verb
• Negative: Subject + will not (won't) / might not + base form of the verb
• Questions (with will): Will + subject + base form of the verb? (We usually don't make direct questions with might for predictions, but use phrases like Do you think...?)

Remember the short forms:

• will = 'll (e.g., I'll go)
• will not = won't (e.g., She won't come)

Common phrases with will and might

We often use introductory phrases to make our predictions sound more natural.

• For will:
  I think... I don't think... I'm sure... I believe...
  Example: I think she'll pass the exam.
• For might:
  I think... (but with less certainty)
  Example: I think it might rain later.
• For questions:
  Do you think...?
  Example: Do you think they'll win the game?
• Short answers:
  I think so. / I don't think so.
  We might. / We might not.

Examples

• I think the new movie will be very popular.
• She won't be late for the meeting, I'm sure.
• Do you think he'll accept the job offer?
• They might visit us next weekend, but they haven't decided yet.
• It might not be warm enough to swim today.
• I don't think I'll finish this project by Friday.
• He might get a promotion next year.
• I'm sure you'll do great on your presentation!

Practice

Common mistakes for Spanish speakers

Spanish speakers sometimes confuse the level of certainty between will and might.

• Mistake 1: Using will for low certainty.
  Incorrect: I will go to the party, but I'm not sure.
  Correct: I might go to the party, but I'm not sure.
  (Use might when you are not sure.)
• Mistake 2: Forgetting the base form of the verb.
  Incorrect: He will goes to the gym tomorrow.
  Correct: He will go to the gym tomorrow.
  (After will or might, always use the base form of the verb, without -s, -ed, or -ing.)
• Mistake 3: Using might not incorrectly.
  Incorrect: It might not to rain.
  Correct: It might not rain.
  (Do not add to after might not.)

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between 'will' and 'might' for predictions?

The main difference is certainty. Use will when you are very sure about a prediction, and might when you are less sure, indicating a possibility.

Can I use 'may' instead of 'might' for predictions?

Yes, may can also be used to express possibility, similar to might. For example, It may rain means the same as It might rain.

Do 'will' and 'might' change for different subjects (I, he, they)?

No, will and might are modal verbs, so they do not change form for different subjects. You always use will or might followed by the base form of the main verb.

How do I make a negative prediction with 'will'?

To make a negative prediction with will, you use will not or its contraction won't. For example, I won't be able to come.

Related lessons

• Future forms
• Future forms
• Future forms