The future simple tense is one of 12 types of tenses in English. The future tense, in general, is used to talk about actions in the future. However, there are 4 types of future tense, and they all function differently.
In this article, we’re going to break down the simple future tense into 4 different categories, give you tons of example sentences and explain the grammar structure, so you can start creating your own simple future sentences!
Future Simple: What Is It Used For?
What are you going to do when you get home tonight? What will you eat for dinner?
We generally use the simple future tense when discussing something happening and ending in the future.
We often refer to this tense as the will tense because it’s made with the modal auxiliary verb of "will," however, as you’ll discover, that’s not the only auxiliary verb we use with this future tense.
We use the future simple in the following situations: Use the arrow to scroll through the slideshow.
1) To discuss a future plan or activity.
- I will go to the shops tomorrow.
- I will meet her at the station.
- She will be here in September.
- They will bring food to the party.
2) To make predictions or assumptions about something in the future.
- I think it will rain tomorrow.
- He said he will win the competition.
- They will be furious when they find out.
- I don’t think they will be happy with this arrangement.
3) When asking questions about the future in the interrogative form of the simple future tense.
- Will you study next year?
- Will Christmas be busy this year?
- Will you say yes?
- Will they want to go for lunch?
4) To hypothesize reactions to future events.
- I broke my parent’s car. If they find out, they will be so angry.
- If I fail this exam, I will be so disappointed.
- If you leave now, he will cry.
- You will regret this decision!
5) When directly commanding someone to do something.
- You will clean your room right now!
- She will not be at school tomorrow! We will refuse to bring her.
- We will file a complaint if you don’t give us a refund.
- You will do your homework.
6) When there isn’t a concrete plan.
- One second, I will go and get a pen.
- Maybe we will go to a concert tonight.
7) When a plan is made at the moment of speaking, here we can use "think" instead of "will."
- I think I'm going to the school concert.
- I think we're going.
- I think so, but I'm not sure if I can come.
Future Simple: Grammar Rules
The simple future tense is pretty simple to grasp once you understand its grammatical structure.
To form the future simple in the affirmative, we usually add "will" before the main verb like this:
Subject + will + main verb (the present participle) + extra information.
Note: The subject doesn’t change the ending of the main verb in the future simple, unlike other tenses. The subject is purely to give context and extra information. For example.
- Sing becomes will sing. She will sing.
- Dance becomes will dance. He will dance.
- Walk becomes will walk. We will go for a walk.
- Sleep becomes will sleep. They will sleep over.
So, regardless of the subject, the ending of the main verb doesn’t change.
Shall vs. Will
Sometimes "shall" is used in the simple future tense instead of "will." However, it’s not a common practice for general English or informal writing, as you’re more likely to see this swap in formal legal documents, court orders, and formal writing.
- He shall sign the document tomorrow.
- They shall be there.
To Be vs. To Go
In informal everyday speech, native speakers will often use the following structure when forming a simple future phrase:
Subject + be + going to + main verb + extra information
In this structure, "be" is conjugated to agree with the sentence's subject.
- I am going to…
- She/he/it is going...
- They/we are going to…
Using Contractions
With the future simple, you can use contractions to make the sentence less complex and informal.
- She will becomes she’ll
- He will becomes he’ll
- They will becomes they’ll
- It will becomes it’ll
- And so on.
Simple Future Affirmative, Negative, and Interrogative Paperless Flashcard Examples
Want to know how to form the simple future in affirmative, negative, and interrogative? Check out these simple future-tense examples. Simply flip the flashcard.
See, the simple future tense is pretty simple when it’s broken down. If you want to learn more, we’ve got plenty of other learning tools for you to dig into!