Hello people! What will you do tomorrow? What? You don’t know what to say? No worries! We're gonna teach ya:) The future tense in English is expressed in various ways, but today we will focus on the most famous - Future Simple or Future Simple Tense. In this article we will look at: the rules for using the future simple, diagrams and examples of the formation of affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences at this time. So let's keep going!
Education Future Simple
To form the Simple Future Tense, you need to use the auxiliary verb " will" before the infinitive (first form) of the main semantic verb (without the particle " to»).
Affirmative sentence is built according to the scheme " subject + will + semantic verb" For example:
I will open the window.- I'll open the window.
You will go to London.- You will go to London.
He will play football.- He will play football.
She will finish the game.- She will finish the game.
It will eat a bone.- It will eat the bone.
We will be at school tomorrow.- We will be at school tomorrow.
You will arrive on time.- You will arrive on time.
They will buy a new flat.- They will buy a new apartment.
In an affirmative sentence " will" is combined with a pronoun and forms a shortened form:
I'll open.
She'll play.
They'll buy.
Negative sentences are formed by adding a particle " not" To " will» = « will not" For example:
I will not open the window.- I won't open the window.
You will not go to London.- You won't go to London.
He will not play football.- He won't play football.
She will not finish the game.- She won't finish the game.
It will not eat a bone.- It won't eat the bone.
We will not be at school tomorrow.- We won't be at school tomorrow.
You will not arrive on time.- You won't arrive on time.
They will not buy a new flat.- They will not buy a new apartment.
You can also use the short form " won't».
I won't open.
He won't play.
They won't buy.
Question in the Future Simple begins with auxiliary verb « will", followed by subject And main verb. For example:
Will I visit her?- I'll visit her.
Will you help me?- Will you help me?
Will he go to school?- Will he go to school?
Will she dance tomorrow?- Will she dance tomorrow?
Will it climb a tree?- Will it climb a tree?
Will we have a party?- Are we having a party?
Will you leave the office?- Will you leave the office?
Will they go on a picnic?- Will they go on a picnic?
In a special question “will” is put before the subject, A before the auxiliary verb the necessary one is used interrogative pronoun:
Where will I play? - Where will I play?
Why will he play? - Why will he play?
With whom will you play? -Who will you play with?
Using the verb "shall"
Verb " shall" is practically not used in modern English. It is found only in issues, when it comes to proposal to do something or help:
Shall I help you?- Can I help you? - Should I (should) help you?
It's too cold here, shall we go home instead?- It’s too cold here, maybe we’d better go home?
In older texts the meaning of promise, warning or threat is found:
You shall never be alone again.-You will never be alone again.
You are too arrogant and one day you shall regret it.-You are too arrogant and one day you will pay for it.
So, we seem to have sorted out the form :)
Using the Future Simple
- When we talk about a single event in the future:
He will spend his money on vacation.- He will spend his money on a vacation.
We will have a party tomorrow.- We'll have a party tomorrow.
- When The action will be repeated several times in the future:
We will visit our grandmother several times next year.- Next year we will visit our grandmother several times.
Unforgettably markers, which indicate action in the future: 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).
- When make an instant or spontaneous decision and immediately voice it:
I"ll have a cup of coffee and a piece of an apple pie, and you?- I'll have a cup of coffee and a piece of apple pie, and you?
It's late right now. I"ll call a taxi.- It's already too late. I'll call a taxi.
- When we make assumptions about the future, that is we think, guess or suspect that some events will happen in the future:
I think it will be a great day tomorrow!- I think tomorrow will be a wonderful day!
I am sure you will enjoy the movie.- I'm sure you'll like the film.
In such sentences you can often find the words: 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).
If our assumptions are based not only on personal opinion, but also on some evidence(proof) - something that confirms that some event will happen in the future (more precisely in the near future), then we use the construction “ be going to" In this case, the speaker is confident about what will happen based on the present. For example, you see a person who has walked too close to the edge of the roof. He's not scared at all, but you started to panic because you see that he might fall. So you say: “Step back! You are going to fall!»
She's going to have a baby(we see her big belly and that's our evidence).
Look at these clouds. It's going to rain(you can see dark heavy clouds in the sky).
Liverpool is going to win the game(the game is almost over and the score is 2:0).
Modal verb "will"
In English " will"can act not only as an auxiliary, but also as a modal verb. All actions in such sentences will refer to the future tense. With "will" we can pass multiple values:
- Promise- Promise:
I will call you before leaving.- I'll call you before I leave.
I will not watch TV tonight.- I won't watch TV tonight.
- Offer- offer:
Will you drink a glass of orange juice?-Will you drink a glass of orange juice?
Will you marry me?- Will you marry me?
- Threat- threat:
Listen to me closely or I will punish you.- Listen to me carefully, or I will punish you.
Freeze or I'll shoot you!- Freeze or I'll shoot you!
We all know the rule that in conditional sentences after “ if»/« when» Future Simple not used, but as always there are exceptions.
If "if" is used not as a condition, but as indirect question, then you can use “will”. An indirect question is a subordinate clause that begins with the conjunction " if»/« whether"(whether), but it is not a question. It maintains regular word order and puts a period at the end rather than a question mark.
I want to know if you will be free at this weekend.- I want to know if you will be free this weekend.
"Will" can be used in conditional sentences after the conjunction "if" as modal verb.
- When "will" means " do something persistently and persistently", that is, continue to defend your opinion without listening to others:
If you won't apologize, you will lose her forever.- If you don't apologize, you'll lose her forever.
- When "will" denotes a polite request:
If you will speak to him, I will be obliged.- If you talk to him, I will be very grateful.
As you can see, Future Simple is not such a simple tense. “Will” is not only an auxiliary verb that helps form a sentence in the future, but also a modal verb that has different meanings depending on the situation.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with other tenses of the English language
Learn English with an eye to the future. And may it be bright for you. Cheers!
Big and friendly EnglishDom family
To make plans and guesses in English, you need to master the future tense. Unlike Russian speakers, residents of “Foggy Albion” are more picky in this matter. So, do you want to know all the secrets of Future Simple?
The Simple (Indefinite) group includes three main tenses: Present Simple, Past Simple and Future Simple Tense. All of them differ in frequency of use, ease of construction and use. Let's start with folk wisdom: “If you want to make God laugh, tell us about your plans.” It is very difficult to know something for sure, but it is very necessary to assume and dream. This role in English is played by the Future Simple (Indefinite).
Education
Without the participation of auxiliary verbs, no time can fully exist. So it is in this case. Helps reflect future action will/shall, the first of which is used with the subjects You, she, he, it, they, and the second - I, we. This rule has existed for many centuries. But the modern fashion for simplification gives us an indulgence, and today it is allowed will with all the faces. But the second auxiliary verb is increasingly used as a modal verb. Although classical grammar adheres to the first option. There are no changes to the verb - infinitive without to: S + will/shall + V.
More commonly used in colloquial speech abbreviated forms:
I shall=I’ll, You will=you’ll, she will=she’ll
Will not = won’t, shall not = shan’t
Use
The rules of the Future Simple (Indefinite) are very specific, as are the usages, which can be easily understood.
1. When we express simple action in the future or several consecutive, and the time frame is vague, the Future Simple is used.
She will be at home in a few minutes. — She'll be home in a few minutes.
The day will become shorter soon. — The days will soon become shorter.
My mother will visit a doctor tomorrow, and after then she will go home. - Tomorrow mom will go to the doctor, and after that she will go home.
2. Also in the case of verbs and adverbs think, believe, to be sure, probably, perhaps, certanly, imagine, expect, be afraid of, hope, who say that we we assume, think, express our ideas and thoughts regarding future events, but the information is not accurate: it may be so, or maybe vice versa.
I am sure you will enjoy your flight. - I'm sure you will enjoy the flight.
They hope she will get a job. “They hope she gets a job.”
I'm afraid Mr Brown won't wait for you. - I'm afraid Mr. Brown won't be waiting for you.
3. For expression momentary, spontaneous action that arose on the go , during a conversation, and we immediately want to carry it out, it is also necessary to use the Future Simple form (important: unplanned).
I am too tired to go on foot. I'll take a taxi. — I'm too tired to walk. I'll take a taxi.
Look. You have left the door open. I'll go and shut it. - Look. You left the door open. I'll go and close it.
4. Threat, request, promise, advice, offer The English express it in the simple future tense.
I’ll not tell anyone your secret, I promise. “I promise I won’t tell anyone your secret.”
Will you get me a paper while you are out? — Could you give me the documents while you're gone?
5. You can display in a separate line subordinate clauses of condition and time, in the dependent part of which the future tense cannot be used under any circumstances (the present tense is used instead). Although the Russian version says the opposite. But be careful not to fall for this trick.
As soon as he passes the exams, he will go to the camp. — As soon as he passes the exams, he will go to the camp.
If you visit this place one time, you will return there one more. — If you visit this place at least once, you will definitely come back again.
The future simple tense, like any other, has its own signal words, which sometimes help to recognize it in context: tomorrow, next month, next year, in a week, in a month, the day afrer tomorrow, soon.
Comparison of times
After reading the cases of use, a general picture seemed to emerge. But when performing exercises or various tests, confusion again arises. After all, the Future Simple is often confused not only with future tenses, but also with the present. And all because of the discrepancy between the Russian form and the English one. The table will help you place emphasis in all cases.
Future Simple |
Future Continuous |
Future Perfect |
Present Continuous |
Present Simple |
| Anticipated action in the future, without clear time boundaries | Planned action in the future with a clear time frame | An action that will be completed in the future by a certain moment | Planned action for the near future, structure to be going to (get together) | Action in the future according to a schedule, according to a time set by someone |
| I will wait for him tomorrow. | I will be waiting for him at 6 o'clock tomorrow. | I will have waited for him by 7 o’clock. | I am going to visit my granny.I am waiting for him tonight. | The train leaves at 7. |
| I'll wait for him tomorrow. | I will be waiting for him at 6 o'clock tomorrow. | I will wait for him until 7 o'clock. | I'm going to visit my grandmother. I'm waiting (will be waiting) for him tonight. | The train leaves at 7. |
Passive Voice
Future Indefinite Tense also has a form in the passive voice. So, all cases of use remain the same, the education changes a little.
will\ shall + be + V ed (V 2)
The letter will be sent next week. — The letter will be sent next week.
He will be called the best pupil tomorrow. - Tomorrow he will be named the best student.
As you can see, there is nothing complicated here. That's why it's called simple. Future Indefinite (Simple) can be called the usual future tense, familiar to Russian speakers. Features such as uncertainty, vagueness of the period or time of an event clearly distinguish this time from others.
The Future Simple Tense represents the simple future tense in English. It is a temporary form that can express a one-time, constant, as well as periodically or constantly repeated action, which refers to the future tense and is described in speech.
Education Future Simple
Affirmative form of sentence
Forming the Future Simple is not a complicated matter. The auxiliary verb will is required. It should be noted that the Future Simple formula is constructed quite simply and is easy to understand for those who are just starting to learn the language: first the subject will be in the sentence, then the verb will will be located, and in third place there will be the main verb, which will be missing the particle to. Previously, the auxiliary verbs were shall and will. Now the latter is the only variant of the auxiliary verb of this tense, and shall is only sometimes used to construct some questions, which is discussed below.
Any form of an affirmative sentence in the future tense in English will be constructed like this:
I/He/She/It/We/You/They + will + first form of the semantic verb.
Examples:
I will come to you. - I will come to you.
He will do this for you. - He will do it for you.
The verb will in the affirmative form can be combined with a pronoun into a more convenient shortened form: I’ll, He’ll, They’ll.
The form to be in the Future Simple is not considered separately, since the verb to be does not change, as it does in the Present Simple or Present Continuous. The verb to be in the future tense has its original form.
Negative form of sentence
Sentences in the Future Simple can also be constructed in negation. To do this, it is enough to add the particle not to the auxiliary verb.
The formula in this case looks like this:
I/He/She/It/We/You/They + will not + first form of the main verb.
Examples:
I will not come to you. - I won't come to you.
He will not do this for you. - He won't do this for you.
For a regular negative sentence in the Future Simple Active, you can also use the easier-to-use form with will not: will + not = won’t. This formulation is used more often than the usual one.
Interrogative form of a sentence
Questions in the Future Simple are also constructed quite simply. Any interrogative sentence begins with the verb will (except for special questions discussed below), followed by the subject and the semantic verb in its first form. It looks like this: Will + I/he/she/it/we/you/they + the first form of the semantic verb.
Will I come to you? - I will come to you?
Will he do this for you? -Will he do this for you?
Special questions
In addition to general questions, special questions are also used in the future tense. To construct them, the following words are required: who (who), what (what), when (when), which (which), whom (to whom), where (where). In this case, the formula looks like this: question word + will + pronoun + first form of the semantic verb.
In the case of using the interrogative word who (who), there is no pronoun in the formula, since it is the answer to the question asked.
Who will go with you? -Who will go with you?
What will we see in Italy? – What will we see in Italy?
Application of the future tense
The rules and examples of using the Future Simple are quite varied.
Tense is used to make a prediction about a specific action in the future. That is, a person thinks or guesses that some specific action will happen:
The book will give you lots of useful information. – In this book you will find a lot of useful information.
In sentences you can find verbs that directly indicate doubt, some kind of assumption, confidence or uncertainty about something:
think, hope, believe, expect, imagine;
be sure, be certain, probably, perhaps.
You can pass a variety of values:
- A simple action and a fact in the future: You will go to the theater tomorrow. – You will go to the theater tomorrow.
- Repeated action in the future: In Italy I will go for a walk every day. – In Italy I will go for a walk every day.
- Consistent actions in the future: I will cook breakfast and we will eat with my sister. – I will prepare breakfast and we will eat with my sister.
- Promise: He will come and help you with all things before leaving. – He will come and help you with all your things before leaving
.
- Spontaneous decision: Look at this interesting book! I will buy it immediately! – Look at this interesting book! I'll buy it right now!
- Offering something or doing something: Will they have a cup of tasty coffee? – Will they drink a cup of delicious coffee?
- Request for something: Will he help her to find a book? – Will he help her find the book?
- Threat or warning: Listen to me or I will be angry. - Listen to me or I'll get angry.
- An action that will happen that we do not influence: She will be eleven next month. – She will be 11 next month.
Using shall
Is the auxiliary verb shall relevant for use in the Simple Future tense? This word has long been considered obsolete, which is why examples of sentences with it are practically absent in practice.
But you can still find this auxiliary verb in official documentation and texts or in outdated formulations. It is also sometimes used to form sentences in which we ask someone's opinion. Future Simple - examples using shall:
Shall I buy this T-shirt? – Should I buy this T-shirt?
You can sometimes find shall in the same meaning as “must”. Using the Future Simple with shall:
She shall buy this T-shirt for me. – She should buy this T-shirt for me.
A proposal for spending time together, when the Shall we design is an analogue of Let’s:
Shall we watch TV? — Shall we watch TV?
An offer to do something for someone:
Shall I help him? -Can I help him?
What will be the clue?
To accurately determine Future Indefinite Tense, you need to pay attention to the markers, which are time indicators. With such simple clues, you can understand that in front of you is a sentence and wording from the Future Indefinite Active.
Examples of Future Simple satellite words:
Tomorrow – tomorrow
The day after tomorrow - the day after tomorrow
Next day, week – next day, week
In one day - every other day
Tonight - in the evening
Soon - soon.
Demonstrative words can be different and refer to different periods in the future. With the help of such markers, a detailed sentence for Future Indefinite Tense is formed.
Future Simple and will are used to express thoughts regarding future actions or certain states. If you want to start learning English, this time will be mastered by you quickly enough, so you can start learning now! If you have any questions or conclusions about your achievements, leave your comments.
From today's grammar material you will learn:
— rules for using Future Simple,
- how to say a regular sentence in the simple future tense,
- how to ask a question in Future Simple,
- sentences with negation - “He won’t go, she won’t find out, etc.”
Future Simple - education
To talk about something in the future tense, you just need to put the word ‘will’ in front of the main verb.
This is all. No endings and no to after will - Not necessary.
I will work tomorrow. Tomorrow I will work.
He /she /it will work. He, she, it will work.
We/they will work. We, they will work.
I'll call the police now. I'll call the police now.
I'll make you a coffee. I'll make you some coffee.
I'll go to the movies tonight. In the evening I will go to the cinema.
We'll see. Let's see.
I'll do that later. I will do it later.
He will arrive on Sunday. He will arrive on Sunday.
I'll meet him at 9:00 pm. I'll meet him at 9 pm.
In colloquial speech, the English shorten will and say:
I will = I’ll = Isle,
You will = you’ll = Yul,
He will = he’ll = Heel,
She will = she’ll = Sheel,
We will = we’ll = Will,
They will = they’ll = Zale.
Negative sentences in the Future Simple
To talk about something in the future with a prefix NOT: I WILL NOT say, I WILL NOT go, I WILL NOT, etc.
you need to use the construction will not or won’t for short.
I won't do the washing up. I won't wash the dishes.
I will not speak to him. I won't talk to him.
I won't tell you anything. I won't tell you anything.
He won't know. He would not know.
She won't agree with that. She won't agree.
I won't smoke anymore. I won't smoke anymore.
Your sister will not like it. Your sister won't like this.
You will not win. You won't win.
After the word When - the word will is not placed.
When I get home, I'll call you.
I'll call you as soon as I get home.
Interrogative sentences in the Future Simple
Who will you meet in Moscow? Who are you meeting in Moscow?
Will you please subscribe to my channel? Please subscribe to my channel.
Will you buy me an ice-cream, please? Will you please buy me some ice cream?
When to use the Future Simple
Future Simple - The simple future is used when we need to talk about actions that will happen in the future.
Namely, in cases where it:
— spontaneous actions/decisions: “I’ll pick up the phone.” / when the phone rings /.
- premonition - forecasting: “It seems that it will begin now.”
— opinion: “I think Manchester will win against Spartak.”
— promise: “She promised that she would help me with English.”
If you are just starting to learn English, then perhaps you should stop here. To begin with, this material will be quite enough to be able to express your thoughts using the word will to denote the future tense. Don’t bother yourself with complex designs, remember the rule: the simpler, the better.
If, however, you are already at a level higher than pre-intermmeddiate, then it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with
Hello, hello, my dears.
Today we will talk about something quite simple - the Future Simple time. Surely this time can be called one of your favorites. That's why it's simple. We are waiting for rules and examples, exercises and a test, as well as a lot of interesting and useful information.
How is it formed
Future Simple is not at all picky in its education. But still, let's look at all the forms in detail. The general rule looks like this:
Subject + will\shall + predicate + object and adverbial.
We shall visit you next summer. - We will visit you next summer.
The negative form is formed using the particle not.
And to form an interrogative sentence, you will have to move will to the very beginning of the sentence.
Great, now we know the whole order of education. It's time to find out when we can use it.
When to use: beginner level
In English this is the easiest tense. Everything is quite clear, but there are many cases of use. And it is advisable to remember them all.
- When we talk about an ordinary action in the future, something that happened once.
I shall meet you at the main entrance. - I'll meet you at the main entrance.
- When an action will be repeated in the future.
We shall see each other every winter. - We will see each other every winter.
- When during a conversation we make decisions about the future.
Ok, I shall vote for your idea at the meeting. - Okay, I'll vote for your idea at the meeting.
When to use: Professional level
But there are still special options for using Future Simple.
- When it comes to future facts.
The shop will open in August. - The store will open in August.
- When it comes to proposals.
I shall help you with this project presentation. - I will help you with the presentation of this project.
- Promises, requests and refusals.
I promise you will get this job. - I promise you will get this job.
Will you bring the book you told me about? -Will you bring me the book you were talking about?
Sorry, I shall not help you. I have to work with my department statement. - Sorry, I won't help you. I have to work on my department's report.
! It is very important to remember that usually after if (if) in 99% of cases will is not placed. For example:
If you go, I will go with you. - If you go, then I will go with you.
But let's look at another proposal:
Mother asks me if I shall go to the prom. - Mom asks me if I will go to the ball.
You may have already noticed that if (and sometimes whether) is translated here as “ whether", not "if". An indirect question does not require a change in word order or a question mark at the end. Therefore, all the words in this sentence are correct and very necessary.
Let's look at some more examples:
Tom is wondering whether I shall help him with his homework. - Tom is worried whether I will help him with his homework.
If you help me with my project, we will go to the theater. - If you help me with my project, we will go to the theater.
I hope you feel the difference. Now let's figure out how else we can talk about the future.
Some more ways to talk about the future
- To be going to.
Sometimes we decide to use to be going to instead of the standard future tense. This occurs when we are talking about assumptions and intentions based on current events.
Look, Sarah is going to jump from the cliff to the sea. - Look, Sarah is going to jump off a cliff into the sea.
I am going to study at the University of Michigan. - I'm going to study at the University of Michigan.
- Present continuous.
You can use the present tense instead of the future tense when you are talking about plans and intentions.
I am seeing Laney tomorrow morning. - Tomorrow morning I meet in Laney.
She is asking for a pay rise tomorrow. - Tomorrow she will ask for a salary increase.
Without practice, no future - and time, and not even you - shines. Therefore, I have ahead that will help you consolidate your new English grammar skill. And also a small test that will interestingly test your knowledge.
In the meantime, I’m going to prepare new interesting materials for you.
See you soon, my dears.
P.S. And in order not to miss these newest materials, subscribe to the blog newsletter. I promise - there will be a lot of interesting and useful things.