<Isn't it more 'if he's prepared to kill himself, then he's prepared to kill us'?>

Of course it is 'if he's prepared to kill himself, then he's prepared to kill us', or similar. There's just some speakers who can't see that.

You could say that it's future reference as the killing would have to be after the time of speaking, but I wouldn't say that the modal is there to indcate futurity.>

Many utterances talk about actions that will happen after the time of speaking, but they are not all intended as future reference.


<Apart from assumptions about completed actions in British English, there's almost always a degree of futurity there when 'will' is used, even when telling people that you'll answer the phone.>

Futurity comes out of what is said by the speaker.

I will open the door when he arrives.

That would probably indicate a perceived separation between the now of the present moment surrounding the speaking and the then of the action.


He's here! I'll open the door.

That would probably indicate no perceived separation between the now of the present moment surrounding the speaking and the then of the action. All would be "now" for the speaker.


In the second sentence, the actions are in the future, but that's not why I shoved the 'will' in the first part. I put it there to balance the two halves, and to try topersuade you to put on an apron and get busy in the kitchen.

(my highlighting)

Probably the most important part of your comment is now in red above.

See this I posted elsewhere:

<I will even stoop to a queen's work if you share the throne with me.>

The double use of the "will" helps emphasise the equal sacrifice of the two parties.

Longer extract:

MAGNUS. It must be magnificent to have the consciousness of a goddess without ever doing a thing to justify it.

ORINTHIA. Give me a goddess's work to do; and I will do it. I will even stoop to a queen's work if you will share the throne with me."

There, Orinthia is showing her willingness to sacrifice her "high" position if Magnus will also sacrifice his position as a public servant.

"Will" is used in each clause to show the (assumed) equality of the two sacrificial actions.