Page 58 - Grammar for Great Writing B

Common Uses

4.5 Using Will

In academic writing, will is used:

1. to make a prediction about the future, usually Unless the government makes changes, the
one of strong certainty Great Lakes will not recover from their current
• Predictions are often in concluding statements. state of pollution.
This species will likely become extinct within
the next 30 years.

2. to introduce or state the plan or purpose of a This paper will explore the economic effects of
paper the Civil War on the South.

3. to add ideas for future work or research Future research will focus on how to implement
this new technology.

4. to express a future possibility in a real If Congress passes the new minimum wage law,
conditional sentence many workers will get significant raises.

Notes
1. Certain adverbs can strengthen or weaken predictions with will: likely, probably, possibly, definitely, and certainly.
2. Other common verbs that introduce the purpose of a paper include examine, discuss, analyze, and report.

4.6 Using May

May is sometimes used in academic writing to express future possibilities. It is used:

1. to make a prediction about the future, usually New medicines may eliminate these global
one of weak certainty health issues.
• Predictions are often in concluding statements. When the new tax law is passed, workers
may be able to save more money for retirement.

2. to state a future possibility In the near future, researchers may find new
solutions for these global health issues.

48 Unit 4 Writing about the Future

Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-203
044-057_18606_GGW_SB_B_U4.indd 48 12/14/16 2:54 PM