Explain the use of 'will' to express the future tense.

The use of 'will' to express the future tense is one of the most common ways to talk about future events or actions in English. 'Will' is an auxiliary verb that is used to form the simple future tense. It is used to indicate that something is going to happen in the future, without specifying the exact time or duration.

Here are some key points to understand the use of 'will' in expressing the future tense:

1. Predictions: 'Will' is often used to make predictions or forecasts about future events. For example:
- It will rain tomorrow.
- She will become a successful actress.

2. Spontaneous decisions: 'Will' is used to express spontaneous decisions or intentions made at the moment of speaking. For example:
- I'm hungry. I think I will order a pizza.
- The phone is ringing. I will answer it.

3. Promises and offers: 'Will' is commonly used to make promises or offers. For example:
- I will help you with your homework.
- I will lend you my car for the weekend.

4. Future facts: 'Will' can be used to state future facts or certainties. For example:
- The sun will rise in the east.
- The concert will start at 8 PM.

5. Conditional statements: 'Will' is used in conditional statements to express future outcomes. For example:
- If it rains, I will stay at home.
- If you study hard, you will pass the exam.

It is important to note that 'will' is used for general future events or actions. For more specific or planned future actions, other forms such as 'be going to' or the present continuous tense may be more appropriate.

In summary, 'will' is a versatile auxiliary verb used to express the future tense in English. It is used for predictions, spontaneous decisions, promises, future facts, and conditional statements. By understanding its usage, you can effectively communicate about future events and actions.