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This comprehensive lesson dives into the Future Simple Tense in English, featuring detailed examples and a quiz to test your knowledge.
What Is Future Simple?
Future simple with 'will' is one way to talk about future events and plans. Future simple is formed using the modal verb 'will'.
Will as a Modal
To form sentences in the future simple tense, the modal verb 'will' is required. This modal verb serves as an indicator of future events. Whenever 'will' is used in a sentence, it shows that the sentence is referring to the future. Like other modals, 'will' has the same form for all persons and the main verb that follows it must be in its base form.
Future Simple with Will: Structure
In order to make affirmative sentences in the future simple tense, you need to place 'will' after the subject followed by the base form (infinitive without 'to') of the main verb. The main verb following 'will' always remains in its simple form, which means it does not take the third person '-s' or '-ing'. Look at the following example:
Julia
You can also use the contracted form of 'will.' To do so, add '-'ll' to your subject instead of 'will.' Remember that contracted forms are informal and therefore they are used mostly in speaking rather than writing. For example:
She
Future Simple with Will: Negation
To form a negative sentences in the future simple, all you have to do is add 'not' to 'will'. See the example below:
Karen
You can also use the contracted and informal form of 'will not,' which is 'won't.'
They
Here, you can see the process of negation and contraction.
Future Simple with Will: Questions
'Will' can also be used to form yes/no questions and wh- questions about the future. Yes/no questions in future simple are basically affirmative sentences with a different word order. To make these questions, 'will' comes at the beginning of the sentence and the subject and main verb follow right after. For example:
Sarah
They
To form wh-questions in future simple, interrogative words such as what, when, where, who, how, and why come at the beginning, followed by 'will.' The subject and base form of the main verb come after 'will.' Look at the following examples:
I will give your book back
When 'who' and 'what' are used to ask a question about the subject, they simply replace the subject and 'will' follows them with the base form of the main verb. Look at the example:
"Who" replaces" "Jane" as the subject and the rest of the sentence remains unchanged.
Using Future Simple to Talk about Requests
Future Simple with Will: Uses
You can use future simple with 'will' for the following purposes:
- Prediction
- Opinions and Assumptions about Future
- Declaring Decisions
- Requests and Commands
- Spontaneous Decisions
- The First Conditional
Prediction
We often use the future simple tense to make a prediction about future events and uncertain situations (i.e. what we think will happen but are not completely sure about). Look at the examples:
It
Here, we are forecasting the weather.
I think Mr. Jackson
We can use the future simple tense with 'will' if we have a firm plan or decision when the main verb is 'be.' Remember, we usually use other tenses or expressions to refer to a firm plan or decision in the future (such as present continuous, or to be going to) unless the main verb is 'be.' For example:
I
Opinions and Assumptions about Future
Future simple is also used to offer an opinion, hope, uncertainty, or assumption regarding the future. When speculating about what will or will not happen in the future, you can use the future simple tense. Here are the examples:
You
He
It
Declaring Decisions
We use the future simple tense to announce a decision. In this case, it is mostly used in affirmative sentences. Here are the examples:
I
Here, we are offering help to someone using future simple tense.
I
I
Sometimes the negative form of 'will' is used to show a refusal to do something. In this case, you can also use the contracted form of 'will not' which is more common. Check out the examples.
I
They
Here, we are reporting that the subject is refusing to do something.
Sorry! I
Requests and Commands
We use the future simple tense in the interrogative form to make an offer or request. As you might know, interrogative mood indicates a question. When you want to make a polite offer you can use the 'future simple tense' in a question. For example:
Sometimes will is used as part of a tag questions after an imperative to give an order. Check out the examples for more clarification.
Help me!
Close the window,
Spontaneous Decisions
We use 'will' to talk about spontaneous decisions made at the moment of speaking.
Wait here. I
I forgot to call my boyfriend after dinner. I
The First Conditional
We use the future simple with 'will' in the first conditional. The first conditional is used to talk about an event that is likely to happen if something else happens. The result clause has a future simple tense. Look at the examples:
If it doesn't rain, we
If I need help, I
Review
Future simple is used to talk about the future. One way of talking about the future, especially in formal English, is to use the modal verb 'will.' The table below summarizes the formation of future simple in affirmative and negative sentences as well as questions:
| Affirmative Form | I will travel to Tokyo. |
|---|---|
| Contraction Form | I'll travel to Tokyo. |
| Negative Form | I will not travel to Tokyo. |
| Contraction Form | I won't travel to Tokyo. |
| Yes/no Question | Will you travel to Tokyo? |
| Wh-question | Where will you travel (to)? |
Future Simple Functions
- Prediction
- Opinions and Assumptions about Future
- Declaring Decisions
- Requests and Commands
- Spontaneous Decisions
- The First Conditional
Quiz:
| Statement | Negative |
|---|---|
You'll go. | You . |
I . | I won't work. |
He . | He won't run. |
We'll travel. | We . |
"They will arrive at 6 PM."
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