Formation of the future tense in English. Future indefinite tense

Education Future Simple
(shall/will + infinitive without to)

Future Simple (Future Indefinite) is formed with the help shall or will and the infinitive of the main verb without the particle to. Shall– for 1 single person or plural And will– for 2nd and 3rd person singular or plural, for example I shall go/He will go. In modern English the auxiliary verb will used in all persons.

Affirmative form		Negative form		Interrogative form
I	shall/will work	I	shall/will not work	Shall/Will	I	work?
he she it	will work	he she it	will not work	Will	he she it
we	shall/will work	we	shall/will not work	Shall/Will	we
you they	will work	you they	will not work	Will	you they

Abbreviated forms:

'll= shall/will
'll not=shall not/will not
shan't= shall not
won't= will not

Using the Future Simple

1. A one-time or repeated action that will happen in the future ( tomorrow - tomorrow, the day after tomorrow - the day after tomorrow, tonight - this evening, next year/month/week - in next year/month, next week, in ... days - in ... days).

Examples: The weather will be unpredictable next week. – Next week the weather will be unpredictable.
We shall not go to the Zoo tomorrow. - We won't go to the zoo tomorrow.
He won't go there. - He won't go there.

2. Action with probability value ( probably - likely, perhaps - maybe, certainly - undoubtedly).

Examples: Perhaps I' ll see him tomorrow. “Perhaps I’ll meet him tomorrow.”

3. Expression of actions when the decision to perform it is made at the moment of speech.

Examples: Would you like something to drink? –I’ ll have mineral water. - What will you drink? – I’ll have mineral water.

4. Main function auxiliary verbs shall/will- indicate the future tense, they are never used as independent verbs in meaning I will, I will. For these purposes, the English language has a verb to be.

Examples: He will be at the meeting at 7 o’clock. - He will at the meeting at 7 o'clock.

5. Future Simple (Future Indefinite) is not used in. In this case it is used.

Examples: I' ll show her these papers when she comes. – I will show her these documents when she returns.

Note. Future action can also be expressed.

Future Simple (Future Indefinite)— future simple tense of English. It is generally used to refer to an event that may occur in the indefinite future or in the very distant future. More detailed rules for forming the Future Simple in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences, auxiliary words and examples of using the future tense, see below.

Education Future Simple

The Future Simple is formed by adding the auxiliary verbs shall / will and the first form of the verb. Formula for forming an affirmative (narrative) sentence:

Noun + shall / will + verb

As a rule, shall is used with 1 person singular, however, this is not the rule. Will can be used with all pronouns (I, You, He / She, We, They, It). Also shall and will can merge with a pronoun and then only the ending ll remains. Examples:

I will play football. - I will play football.

I'll do my work someday. “I’ll do my job someday.”

To form a negative sentence in the Future Simple, it is necessary to place the fraction not after shall / will. Formula for forming a negative sentence:

Noun + shall / will + not + verb

In this case, shall not can merge into shall not, and will not into will not. Examples of using a negative sentence:

I shall not let you down. - I won't let you down.

Tomorrow he will not go to the school. — Tomorrow he won’t go to school.

Interrogative Future proposal Simple is formed in the following way:

Shall / Will + noun + verb

Examples of using an interrogative sentence:

Shall we go to the cinema tomorrow? - Shall we go to the cinema tomorrow?

Will you go with us? -Will you come with us?

Future Simple Indicator Words

As in Past Simple and in Present Simple, the future tense has its own auxiliary words that help determine whether the Future Simple is used or not. There are 4 most commonly used marker words and phrases:

Cases in which the Future Simple is used

Below are the cases Future usage Simple, which will help you navigate the conversation when choosing the time at which you want to express your opinion.

Future simple

Use case I: promise to do something

The Future Simple is often used when a person promises to do something in the future:

I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party. “I promise I won’t tell him about the surprise party.”

Don't worry, I'll be careful. - Don't worry, I'll be careful.

I will call you when I arrive. - I'll call you back when I arrive.

Use case II: predicting future events

The Future Simple can be used when trying to predict something in the future. IN in this case the phrase to be going to can also be used. examples:

The year 2222 will be a very interesting year. — The year 2222 will be a very interesting year.

John Smith will be the next President. — John Smith will be the next president.

The movie "Zenith" will win several Academy Awards. — The film “Zenith” will win several Academy Awards.

Use case III: instant reaction to something

In this case, the Future Simple is used to answer a request or react to some action that has taken place. examples:

Will you help me to move this heavy table? —Will you help me move this heavy table?

A: I'm really hungry. - I'm really hungry.
B: I’ll make some sandwiches. — I'll make some sandwiches.

I will not do all the housework myself! — I won’t do all the housework alone!

Use case IV: listing sequential actions or repeating actions

Another use of the Future Simple is to list sequential and repeating actions that will occur in the future. Eg:

I cannot wait for my vacation. I shall go to the river, swim and fish every day. - I can't wait for the holidays. I will go to the river, swim and fish every day.

Future action can be expressed in many ways in English. The most famous of them is Future Simple(simple future tense). However, it is not as “simple” as it seems at first glance. This time has many functions and we invite you to explore them in our article.

How is the Future Simple formed?

Statement

In order to form Future Simple, we need an auxiliary verb will. The subject will come first, followed by will, in third place - the main verb without a particle to.

You may have once heard that auxiliary verbs Future Simple- This shall And will. Yes, it was like that, but a long time ago. Today will is the only auxiliary verb, and shall sometimes used in questions.

In an affirmative sentence will combines with a pronoun to form an abbreviated form:

• I'll come.
• She'll understand.
• They'll agree.

Negation

In a negative sentence, a particle appears between the auxiliary verb and the main verb not.

In a negative sentence will combines with a particle not, forming a shortened form. But there is one feature here - a change in the form of the word: will + not = won't. For example:

• It won't break.
• We won't find.
• You won't see.

Question

Question in Future Simple starts with auxiliary verb will followed by a subject and a main verb.

We have separated all functions Future Simple into 3 groups, so that it is convenient for you to study at this time. If you're not already familiar with it, the first place to look is the green box. It contains the basic functions required for entry-level. In the yellow frame you will find those functions that are needed at the intermediate level. And in red there are more rare and complex cases use Future Simple, studied at a high level.

Using the Future Simple

First level

Future Simple denotes the same phenomena as Present And Past Simple, only in the future.

1. When we express single actions in the future.
   

   We will take a taxi. - We let's take Taxi.

   He will spend his vacation in China. - He will hold vacation in China.

2. When an action will be repeated several times in the future.
   

   I will go to London a few times next year. - I I'll visit London repeatedly next year.

   Words that indicate future action may be used in this tense: tomorrow(Tomorrow), tonight(tonight), the day after tomorrow(day after tomorrow), next week(next week), next year(next year), in a week / in a month(in a week / in a month), soon(soon) etc.

   She will call me tonight. - She will call to me In the evening.

3. Future Simple used when we make a decision instantly and immediately voice it, in other words, when we make spontaneous decisions.
   

   I will order a steak and chips, and you? - I I'll order steak and fries, how about you? (I came to the restaurant, looked at the menu and spontaneously chose a steak)

   Hold on. I "ll get a pen. - Wait, I I'll get it handle. (there was a need to write something down, so I immediately said that I needed to take a pen)

When else is the Future Simple used?

Average level

1. Future Simple used when we make an assumption about an action in the future, that is, we think, suspect or guess that some action will happen in the future.
   

   This website will give you lots of useful information. – On this site you you'll find a lot of useful information.

   People won't go to Jupiter even in 100 years. - People won't fly to Jupiter even after 100 years.

   Such sentences often contain words showing assumption, doubt, certainty or uncertainty: think(think), hope(hope), believe(to count, to believe) wonder(to be interested) expect(expect), imagine(imagine, imagine) be sure(sure), be certain(sure), be afraid(afraid); probably(probably), certainly(definitely), perhaps(Maybe):

   I am sure you will enjoy the film. - I sure what's the movie for you I'll like it.

   The rain won't probably stop soon. - Rain, probably, will end not soon.

2. Will can be not only an auxiliary verb of the future tense, but also a modal verb. The situation in such sentences most often refers to the future, and we will also translate the future tense into Russian. By using will we can pass multiple values:
   • Promise.
     

     I will come and see you before leaving. - I I'll visit you before leaving.

   • Offer.
     

     Will you have a cup of tea? - You have a drink a cup of tea?

   • Please.
     

     Will you help me to find an earring? I dropped it in the bathroom. - You will you help should I find an earring? I dropped it in the bathroom.

   • Warning or threat.
     

     Don’t drink coffee at night. You will have problems with sleep. - Don't drink coffee in the evening. At your place will sleep problems (warning)

     Listen carefully to me or I will punish you. – Listen to me carefully, or I will I'll punish you. (threat)

     Sometimes the actions in such sentences are similar to simple single actions in the future. If in oral speech you want to emphasize that your words are a promise or a warning, then highlight will voice. The offer and request are usually presented in the form of a question.

Complex cases of using the Future Simple

High level

You know what's next if(unless) we use will. Students learn this “reinforced concrete” rule when they meet. But it can be violated in two cases.

1. If if is used not as a condition, but as an indirect question, then you can use will. An indirect question is a subordinate clause that begins with a conjunction if/whether(whether), but it is not a question. It maintains the direct word order and puts a period at the end, not question mark. Don't confuse indirect questions with conditional sentences. In both cases the conjunction is used if, but in a conditional sentence there is a condition: something can be done if the condition ( if= if). In an indirect question there is no condition, it has an alternative: can you do something or can’t ( if= whether).
   

   I want to ask if he will go to Japan next year. - I want to ask, will he go he's going to Japan next year.

   I have no idea if she will like these flowers. - I have no idea, will you like it these flowers for her.

2. Will can be used in conditional sentences after the union if(if) how modal verb. In order to emphasize modality, we place a strong emphasis on will. Situations can relate to both the present and the future, but in Russian they are more often translated into the future tense. We can supply will after if:
   • When will It means “to do something persistently and persistently,” that is, to continue to defend one’s opinion without listening to others.
     

     If you will stand your ground, you will lose your job. – If You you will continue to stand on your own, you will lose your job.

   • When will denotes a polite request.
     

     If you will pass the salt, I will be obliged. – Pass it on, Please, salt, I will be grateful to you.

3. One of the functions will as a modal verb - to show the speaker’s reluctance to do something. In this case will denotes a situation in the present, therefore it is translated using the present tense. Usually in such sentences we need to highlight will voice, so we let the interlocutor understand that will is a modal verb, not an auxiliary verb Future Simple.
   

   I've tried to give her advice, but she won't listen. “I wanted to give her advice, but she doesn't want to listen. (we want to emphasize her reluctance to listen)

   My father won't lend me his car. - My father doesn't want to borrow your car. (he shows reluctance to borrow a car)

4. Sometimes we use Future Simple when we talk about a pre-planned event in a formal speech style. Most often, in this case, we report not only about the event itself, but also about some of its details.
   

   The meeting will begin at midday. The presentation will start at 12.30. - Meeting will begin at noon. Presentation will begin at 12:30.

   Please note that we usually use or construction when we talk about a planned action in the future, as well as when we talk about a scheduled action.

   We 're having a meeting in the café in two hours. – We have a meeting in a cafe in two hours.

   I 'm going to have a meeting with Andy today. - Today I going to meet Andy.

   The meeting begins at 9 a.m. - Meeting will begin at 9 am.

At the time Future Simple wide circle tasks, and for most future situations you will be able to find a suitable function. It can rightly be called the “universal” future tense. Of course, like any English time, Future Simple can be found in unexpected contexts, so at all levels of language proficiency you will learn something new about it.

To better remember the functions Future Simple, take the following test. You can also download a table with forms of forming the simple future tense in English.

(*.pdf, 184 Kb)

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Test

Future Simple Tense– simple future tense

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Today I invite you to analyze the simple future tense in English, namely − Future Simple Tense. After studying the material, you will understand how a verb is conjugated in the affirmative, negative and interrogative form simple future tense, you will know in what cases it should be used, and you will also find out what constructions can replace it.

Meaning of Future Simple Tense

First, let's define that the Future Simple Tense is a tense form of the English language that expresses one-time, repeated or permanent actions or conditions that will occur in the future. As in other indefinite tenses (Present Simple Tense, Past Simple Tense), the nature of the course of these actions and states is not indicated (i.e. completion, duration, precedence in relation to another action, etc.), but is simply expressed as a fact. This temporary form is widely used both in written language, and in oral speech. Rules for forming the future tense

Rules of education Future Simple Tense

I want to immediately warn you that although Future Simple Tense is translated into Russian as “Simple Future Tense”, this does not mean that auxiliary verbs are not used in its formation

Affirmative form of Future Simple Tense

The affirmative form is formed using an auxiliary verb will, which applies to all singular and plural persons and the infinitive form of the main verb. Also for the formation of the simple past tense in the 1st person singular and plural ( I,we) verb used shall, but this form is now considered obsolete and is used mainly in writing and in formal style.

IN colloquial speech These verbs are used mainly in abbreviated form. For example:

• I shall/ I will – I’ll –
  You will - you'll -

So for education affirmative form An auxiliary verb should be placed after the subject will, which is suitable for all persons, or shall (for I, we), and after that - the main verb in the infinitive form.

Verb conjugation example to start in Future Simple Tense in the affirmative form:

• I will/shall (I"ll) start to work tomorrow.
• You will (You"ll) start to work tomorrow.
• He/She/It will (He"ll/ She'll) start to work tomorrow.
• We will/shall (We"ll) start to work tomorrow.
• You will (You"ll) start to work tomorrow.
• They will (They"ll) start to work tomorrow.

Question form Future Simple Tense

There is nothing new in the formation of the interrogative form of the simple future tense - everything is according to general rule: auxiliary will (shall) comes first before the subject; the subject is followed by the main verb in the infinitive form. Let's try to inflect the verb.

Verb conjugation example to start in Future Simple Tense in interrogative form:

• Will/ Shall I start to work tomorrow?
• Will do you start to work tomorrow?
• Will he/ she/ it start to work tomorrow?
• Will/ Shall we start to work tomorrow?
• Will do you start to work tomorrow?
• Will they start to work tomorrow?

Negative form of Future Simple Tense

The negative form of the simple future tense is also formed according to the general rule - using an auxiliary verb will (shall) combined with a negative particle not. The word order remains the same as in an affirmative sentence, but a negation is placed between the auxiliary verb and the main verb in the infinitive form not.

In colloquial speech, an auxiliary verb will (shall) merges into one whole word with a particle not:

• Will not - won't -
• Shall not – shan’t – [ʃɑːnt]

Verb conjugation example to start in Future Simple Tense in negative form:

• I start to work tomorrow.
• You will not (won't) start to work tomorrow.
• He/She/It will not (won't) start to work tomorrow.
• We will not (won"t)/ shall not (shan"t) start to work tomorrow.
• You will not (won't) start to work tomorrow.
• They will not (won't) start to work tomorrow.

I think that in English it is the formation of the simple future tense that is the simplest and most understandable. You just need to learn how to manipulate the auxiliary verb, which is also suitable for all singular and plural persons. What could be simpler! Now let’s summarize all these rules into a table that you can always look at in order to quickly find your bearings and not get confused.

Conjugation table for the verb to start in the Future Simple Tense

Number	Face	Affirmative form	Interrogative form	Negative form
Unit h.	1 2 3	I will/shall (I"ll) start to work. You will (You"ll) start to work. He/She/It will (He"ll/ She'll) start to work.	Will/ Shall I start to work? Will do you start to work? Will he/ she/ it start to work ?	I will not (won"t)/ shall not (shan"t) start to work. You will not (won't) start to work. He/She/It will not (won't) start to work.
Mn. h.	1 2 3	We will/shall (We"ll) start to work. You will (You"ll) start to work. They will (They"ll) start to work.	Will/ Shall we start to work? Will do you start to work? Will do they start to work?	We will not (won"t)/ shall not (shan"t) start to work. You will not (won't) start to work. They will not (won't) start to work.

The simple future tense is used:

1. When expressing one-time actions or states that relate to the future tense.

• I'll do my best to help you. - I will do everything in my power to help you.
• So you’ll ring me up at five, will you? - So you'll call me at five o'clock, right?

When expressing repeated actions or states in the future.

• I'll visit you every week. - I will visit you every week.
• I'll write to you every day. - I will write to you every day.

When expressing actions and states that will occupy a certain period in the future.

• Will you wait for us? -Will you wait for us?
• Will you learn English? — Are you going to learn English?

When expressing a sequence of actions or states in the future.

• I'll do my homework and call you. “I’ll do my homework and call you.”
• We will meet and discuss everything. - We will meet and discuss everything.

In such sentences they are very often used the following words and expressions:

• tonight - this evening
• tomorrow - tomorrow
• the day after tomorrow - the day after tomorrow
• in a week - in a week
• in a month - in a month
• next week - next week
• next year - next year
• soon - soon

2. When expressing your assumptions about the future. Often these sentences contain verbs:

• think − to think
• believe − to believe, to believe
• expect - to expect
• imagine - imagine
• adverbs:
• probably - probably
• certainly - definitely
• perhaps - probably
• or expressions:
• be afraid - to be afraid
• be sure - to be sure
• be certain - to be sure

• They'll certainly wait here. “They will definitely be waiting here.”
• I'm afraid I won't pass the exam. — I'm worried that I won't pass the exam.
• I think it will be interesting for you. - I think this will be interesting for you.

2. When expressing decision taken about the future at the time of conversation.

• I will order a tee and a cake, and you? — I’ll order tea and pie, what about you?
• -I"m tired! - I'm tired.
• - I "ll give you some time for rest. - I will give you time to rest.

3. When expressing a promise, threat, offer, or request.

• Will you have a lunch with us? -Will you have lunch with us? (offer)
• I'll kill you! - I'll kill you! (threat)
• I’ll take you with me next week.- I’ll take you with me next week. (Promise)
• Will you lend me some money? -Can you lend me some money? (request)

Note!

Auxiliary shall in interrogative form for the 1st person singular (I) often fulfills a modal meaning, i.e. expresses awareness of the interlocutor’s desire.

• Shall I write it again? - Should I write this again?
• Shall I translate the text? — Should I translate the text?

Auxiliary will often has a modal connotation of a polite request, promise, intention.

• I won't forget what you've done for me. “I won’t forget what you did for me.”
• Will you help me? - Will you help me?

Other ways of expressing the future tense

1. to be going + infinitive →
to express intention or probability in the future:

• I'm going to buy him a dog. — I'm going to buy him a dog.
• It's going to snow. — It looks like it will snow.
• The exam is going to be easier than I expected. — It looks like the exam will be easier than I expected.

2. to be sure (certain) + infinitive →

Affirmative Simple form Future/Future Indefinite Tense - future simple/indefinite tense - formed using auxiliary verbs shall/will + infinitive without to for first person singular and plural and auxiliary verb will + infinitive without to for all other persons singular and plural.

I shall go there tomorrow. I'll go there tomorrow.
He will write a new article for our magazine. He will write new article for our magazine.

I shall cook	We shall cook
You will cook	You will cook
He / she / it will cook	They will cook

Please note:
Many Englishmen in affirmative and negative sentences, especially in colloquial speech, prefer to use will rather than shall in the first person, since will emphasizes the intention, desire, etc. of the speaker, especially at the moment of expressing intention when deciding something urgent, sudden. For example, you went into a store, saw something interesting and immediately decided to buy it:

I will buy it. I will buy it. (I want to have this; in Russian you can convey this in the present tense: “I buy this, I take this.”)

Compare:

I shall be there. I will be there. (A simple statement of fact.)
I will be there. I will be there. (I intend to be there, I want to, I will definitely be there.)

Note. In case of doubt regarding usage shall or will in this specific case recommended to use will.

Negative form future simple/indefinite tense is formed using a negative particle not which is placed after the auxiliary verb shall or will before the main verb.

I shall/will not go there. I won't go there.

In interrogative negative sentences only the first abbreviated form is used or full form without any abbreviations.

Won't you wait a little, please, or you will come here tomorrow?
Wait a little bit, please, or come here tomorrow?

Please note:
In general matters shall And will the future tense often has no meaning. Shall is used with modal meaning to express the speaker’s desire to receive instructions or orders from his interlocutor.

Will or won't used to express polite form or invitations.

Will do you clean the blackboard, please? Please erase this from the board.
Won't did you read, please? Please read.

Using the Future Simple

The future simple/indefinite tense is used:

• 1. To express a once or repeatedly repeated action that will occur in the future. At the same time, unlike modally colored forms, the speaker’s special attitude to the future action is not expressed - it is simply stated as an action that will take place in the future. Such sentences usually have expressions indicating time, for example: tomorrow - Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow - day after tomorrow, tonight - tonight, next day (week, month, year) - the next day(next week, next month, next year), in… days (hours) - in... days(hours), etc.

I'll call you tonight. I'll call you tonight.
The first academic term will end in ten days. The first academic semester will end in 10 days.

• 2. To describe the natural course of events, habitual actions that should take place in the future.

Summer will come soon. Summer is coming soon.
Students will make plans for the vacation. Students will be making plans for the holidays.

• 3. To express an action that will be performed under certain circumstances and conditions. Often these conditions and circumstances are expressed in conditional and temporary subordinate clauses with conjunctions if, when etc., sometimes in subordinate clauses goals.

If I drop this glass it will break. If I drop this glass, it will break.
When it gets warmer the snow will start to melt. When it gets warmer, the snow will melt.

• 4. Usually in combination with adverbs, modal introductory words and expressions that mean assumption, doubt, probability, etc., to express the speaker’s opinion, assumption, reflection about the future. These are the verbs: to think - think, to know - know, to believe believe, to suppose - assume, to feel sure - feel confident, to expect - expect, to hope - hope, to be afraid - afraid etc., as well as the words: probably - probably,possibly - Maybe, perhaps - May be and etc.

He'll work hard, I am sure. I'm sure it will work well.
They'll probably wait for us. They'll probably wait for us.