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What is the past and future of will?

Updated: 8/17/2019
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14y ago

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"WILL" is not a regular verb, it is a MODAL VERB (like CAN, SHOULD, MAY, WOULD), which means it functions a little differently and doesn't always have a "past" and "future" tense.

WILL, as a modal verb, actually indicates future tense. I will go to the store tomorrow. She will call me when she's finished. They will break up if they continue like this. Etc. So there's no future or past tense of WILL as a modal verb. It is always used to indicate future.


However, once in a while you'll find "will" used as a non-modal verb.... just like a regular verb. It has nothing to do with future tense, and you'll probably find it in fancy or old English. It means to want someone to do something, or to decree or ordain something. "I will you to love me!" "The king willed his subjects to (do something)" "This action was willed and ordained". So when WILL is used as this kind of verb, then its past tense is "willed", and I have never heard it used in the future but I guess it would be "I will will you to buy me a car" :)

But rarely is WILL used except as a modal verb (see above), where it has NO PAST or FUTURE (since it means "FUTURE"!!)

Hope this helps :)

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14y ago
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