Use of will

[Arantza]

Dear unknow Teacher,
I have a question dealing on the different possible uses of the particle WILL as an auxiliary or as a modal element. Why do many linguistics argue that WILL is better treated as a modal element?
I appreciate very much your response.

[Tdol]

I wouldn't call 'will' a particle. 'Will' is called a modal by many because it expresses things like promises, possibility, etc. It doesn't just 'help' the verb to show the future, and many linguists say that there is no future tense in English. Also, some use the term modal auxiliary verbs, so there is no clearcut position on 'will'and the others.

[tuangpi]

.....and many linguists say that there is no future tense in English. Also, some use the term modal auxiliary verbs, so there is no clearcut position on 'will' and the others.

They are arguing on this issue--very hot.

[Alc112]

Will is a modal verb because it has no infinitive with to, doesn't change in third person and it only has present simple tense.
You use will to express futere not probably or to do predictions:
It'll (It will) rain

[Tdol]

Some claim it isn't a verb, others that it's a modal. some say it's a present tense, others the future tense- there's very little agreement.