ESL Inventory

Modals for Future and Intention: Examples & Exercises

There are a few modals for future: will, shall, and some modal expressions for future: be going to, be about to, be willing to. The main modal for future is “will”, you can study it in Future Simple, Continuous, and Perfect. In this article, we’ll focus on the modal expressions and ‘shall’. Check the infographic below.

Infographic explaining modals of future and intention in English: be about to (immediate future), be going to (planned future), be willing to (readiness), shall (formal offers and promises), and will for future events, predictions, and decisions, with example sentences. ESL-Inventory.com grammar guide.
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Going to

“Be going to” is used to express planned actions. One of the most common modals for future after will. It indicates something that has been decided or arranged in advance. Examples:

  • I am going to start a new project.
  • He is not going to visit their grandparents today.
  • Are you going to eat out tonight?

Not sure when to use will or going to? click the button below:

Will or Going to?

Be About to

“Be about to” indicates that something is going to happen very soon, at the next minute or second, someone is on the verge of taking action. Examples:

  • I am about to leave the house now.
  • Is the train about to leave?

Note: “Be about to” is rarely used in negative sentences. When it is, it often expresses refusal. Example: I’m not about to apologize.

Willing To

“Be willing to” expresses the intention to do something, showing readiness or a positive attitude towards a task or action. Examples:

  • She is willing to help with the project.
  • They’re not willing to negotiate yet.
  • Are you willing to take on more responsibilities?

Shall (for Intention)

“Shall” is a formal or polite way of expressing future and intention, often used in British English. It’s used to offer, suggest, or promise actions. Examples:

  • I shall call you when I arrive.
  • Shall we go for a walk?

Note: “shall not” implies prohibition. Check Modals of Prohibition and Permission. Also, questions with shall are mostly limited to I, or we.

And ‘will’?

The main modal verb for future is ‘will’. In order to study more about the future in English, you can visit:

Future Simple
Future Continuous
Future Perfect

Exercises on Modals for Future and Intention

EXERCISE: Semi-Modals of Future and Intention – Present

Choose the best option that can fill the gap. going to – about to – willing to

1 / 10

I am about to open the door when she storms in by surprise.

What does “about to” show in this sentence?

2 / 10

She is going to cancel the trip, her visa was denied.

What does “going to” show in this sentence?

3 / 10

We are willing to accept the offer, but let’s discuss some details first.

What does “willing to” show in this sentence?

4 / 10

They are going to fix the car, the appointment at the garage is today.

What does “going to” show in this sentence?

5 / 10

I am going to help you, give me your hand.

What does “going to” show in the sentence?

6 / 10

She is about to leave the office, I can see her at the door.

What does “about to” show in this sentence?

7 / 10

They are willing to start the project, they just need some instructions first.

What does “willing to” show in the sentence?

8 / 10

He is about to begin the meeting. Hurry up, we can’t be late.

What does “about to” show in this sentence?

9 / 10

I am going to call her now, hand me the phone please.

What does “going to” show in this sentence?

10 / 10

I am willing to explain everything, but will you listen?

What does “willing to” shows in the sentence?

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EXERCISE: Semi-Modals of Future and Intention – Past

Choose the best option that can fill the gap. going to – about to – willing to

1 / 10

We weren’t ___ watch it anyway, so it’s fine if you spoil it.

Hint: We had already decided not to watch the movie.

2 / 10

I was ___ support your idea, why did you change your mind?

Hint: I was just moments away from saying I agreed with your idea.

3 / 10

She ___ talk to him now, send him in.

Hint: She has already planned, and the moment has come.

4 / 10

He said he was ___ to stay longer but it wasn’t necessary.

Hint: a readiness or offer to help

5 / 10

They are ___ finish their homework, then they can go outside.

Hint: They’ve decided to do their homework before going outside.

6 / 10

We weren’t ___ watch it anyway, so it’s fine if you spoil it.

Hint: We had no interest in watching it.

7 / 10

She ___ talk to him now, send him in.

Hint: She agrees to talk to him now if he wants.

8 / 10

They are ___ finish their homework, then they can go outside.

Hint: They are finishing their homework at any minute now.

9 / 10

I was ___ support your idea, why did you change your mind?

Hint: My intention was to support your idea.

10 / 10

He said he was ___ to stay longer but it wasn’t necessary.

Hint: a planned or expected future action

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Exercises on ‘going to’:

EXERCISES: Going to – True/False

Choose ‘true’ if the sentence is correct, and ‘false’ is the sentence is not correct.

1 / 10

They are not going travel during the holidays.

2 / 10

Are you going to the concert tonight?

3 / 10

She’s going to take the exam next week?

4 / 10

They were going to play soccer after school, but it started raining.

5 / 10

I going to start a new job next month.

6 / 10

She is not going to attend the meeting.

7 / 10

Were we going to need more chairs for the event? There are no more!

8 / 10

She is going to bake a cake for the party.

9 / 10

We are not going to stay up late tonight.

10 / 10

We are going to visit the museum this weekend.

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Affirmative: EnglischHilfen | AgendaWeb1 | AgendaWeb2 | AgendaWeb3 | AgendaWeb4 | AgendaWeb5 | English4u | Wordwall

Negative: AgendaWeb | LiveWorksheets1 | LiveworkSheets2 | EngBlocks | EnglischHilfen | Grammarism

Interrogative: EnglischHilfen | Wordwall | AgendaWeb1 | AgendaWeb2 | AgendaWeb3

Mixed: Ego4u | Wordwall1 | Wordwall2 | AgendaWeb1 | AgendaWeb2 | AgendaWeb3 | TestEnglish | Grammarism | GamesToLearn | LiveWorksheets | EnglishClub