Future Simple
The best way to predict the future is to create it. In this lesson, you will learn to talk about the future in English using 'will.'
What Is Future Simple?
Future simple with 'will' is one way to talk about future events and plans. Future simple with 'will' is one of the rare cases in English that need an auxiliary verb in affirmative sentences as well as negative sentences and questions.
Will as an Auxiliary Verb
In order to make sentences in future simple you need 'will' as an auxiliary verb. This verb is an indicator of future, so whenever you see it as an auxiliary, you are looking at a sentence about the future. Remember that auxiliary verbs are helping verbs and the main verb comes after that in the sentence.
Future Simple with Will: Structure
When you want to make affirmative sentences in the future simple, you need to add 'will' to the subject at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the base form (infinitive without to) of your main verb. The main verb after 'will' cannot take the third person 's' or 'ing' and it has to be in its simple form. 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
Now that you know how to make affirmative sentences about the future, making negative sentences is easy. All you have to do is adding 'not' to 'will' and your sentence will become negative. 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
We already talked about affirmative and negative sentences with 'will;' then, we discuss how you can make 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, you need 'will' at the beginning to help you make the question, and the subject and main verb follow right after. For example:
Sarah
They
As is evident by the name, you need wh- question words to make wh- questions. Wh- question words are: what, when, where, who, how, why.
To make a wh- question, put the wh-word at the beginning and add your auxiliary verb, 'will,' to it. The subject and base form of the main verb comes next. Look at the following examples:
I will give your book back
Using Future Simple to Talk about Requests
Future Simple with Will: Uses
You can use future simple with 'will' for the following purposes:
- Prediction
- Promises & Offers
- Spontaneous Decisions
Prediction
We often use the future simple tense to make a prediction about future facts and for uncertain situations (i.e. what we think will happen but we are not totally sure about it). 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
We use the simple future to talk about an opinion, hope, uncertainty, or assumption regarding the future. Sometimes we only guess about things that will happen in the future, in this case, you use the simple future tense. Here are the examples:
You
He
It
Promises & Offers
We use the future simple tense to make an offer. 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
We use the future simple tense to talk about wanting to do something or not wanting to do something in the future. In this case, you have made your mind up in advance. Check out the examples:
I
Sometimes people use the negative form of 'will' to refuse to do something. In this case, you can even use the contracted form of 'will not' which is considered more common. Check out the examples.
I
They
Here, we are reporting that the subject is refusing to do something.
Sorry! I
We use the future simple tense with the pronouns 'I' or 'we' when there is no plan or decision to do something. We make the decision spontaneously while speaking. All the process of making the decision happens in a moment in this case. Here are the examples:
Don't worry, I
Here, we are making a decision on the spot.
Wait, I
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 'simple future tense' in a question. For example:
Sometimes we use the verb will to give orders using the 'tag questions.' Check out the examples for more clarification.
Help me!
Close the window!
Spontaneous Decisions
We use 'will' to talk about spontaneous decisions decided at the moment of speaking.
Wait here. I
I forgot to call my boyfriend. I
The First Conditional
We use the simple future with 'will' in the first conditional. The first conditional is used to indicate an event that is probable to happen if something else happens. The resulting clause has a simple future 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 as its name represents. One of the common ways, especially in the formal English language, is to use the auxiliary verb 'will.' Now, look at the table below for a better understanding of the contraction, question, and structure of future simple tense:
| 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)? |
Simple Future Functions
- Prediction
- Spontaneous decisions
- Promises
- Offers
- Requests
- The first conditional
- Opinions, hopes, uncertainties, or assumptions
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