Simple Future Tense in English

The Simple Future tense is essential for expressing actions, events, and situations that will happen in the future. It allows us to talk about predictions, plans, promises, and decisions made at the moment of speaking. Understanding the Simple Future is crucial for effective communication in English, as it helps you express your intentions and expectations about what's to come.

There are two main ways to form the Simple Future tense in English: using "will" + base verb and using "going to" + base verb. In this lesson, we'll focus on the affirmative forms only.

1. Structure of Simple Future (Affirmative Only)

The Simple Future tense can be formed in two main ways:

Method 1: Will + Base Verb

Structure: Subject + will + base verb

  • I will travel to Japan next year.
  • You will understand this better with practice.
  • He will arrive at 8 PM.
  • She will finish her degree next summer.
  • It will rain tomorrow according to the forecast.
  • We will meet you at the airport.
  • They will help us move next weekend.

Method 2: Going to + Base Verb

Structure: Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb

  • I am going to study medicine.
  • You are going to love this restaurant.
  • He is going to buy a new car.
  • She is going to move to Canada.
  • It is going to be a beautiful day.
  • We are going to renovate our house.
  • They are going to start a business together.

2. Verb Conjugation Tables

Will + Base Verb

Subject Will Base Verb Example
I will work I will work from home tomorrow.
You will work You will work with the best team.
He will work He will work as a doctor.
She will work She will work in the new office.
It will work It will work better than the old system.
We will work We will work together on this project.
They will work They will work late tonight.

Going to + Base Verb

Subject Be Verb Going to Base Verb Example
I am going to travel I am going to travel to Europe.
You are going to travel You are going to travel by train.
He is going to travel He is going to travel for business.
She is going to travel She is going to travel with her family.
It is going to rain It is going to rain this afternoon.
We are going to travel We are going to travel together.
They are going to travel They are going to travel around the world.

3. When to Use "Will" vs "Going to"

While both "will" and "going to" express future actions, they are used in different situations:

Use "Will" for:

1. Spontaneous Decisions (made at the moment of speaking)

When you decide something suddenly while speaking:

  • A: "The phone is ringing." B: "I will answer it."
  • A: "We need more milk." B: "I will buy some on my way home."
  • A: "This box is heavy." B: "I will help you carry it."
2. Predictions Based on Opinion or Belief

When you predict something based on what you think will happen:

  • I think it will be sunny tomorrow.
  • She will probably become a famous singer.
  • Technology will change our lives dramatically.
  • The economy will improve next year.
3. Promises and Offers

When you make promises or offer to do something:

  • I will call you tonight, I promise.
  • We will take good care of your cat while you're away.
  • I will never forget your kindness.
  • The company will provide all necessary training.

Use "Going to" for:

1. Pre-planned Actions and Intentions

When you have already decided or planned to do something:

  • I am going to study abroad next year. (I've already applied)
  • They are going to get married in June. (They've set the date)
  • We are going to renovate the kitchen. (We've been planning this)
  • She is going to quit her job. (She's already decided)
2. Predictions Based on Present Evidence

When you can see signs that something will happen:

  • Look at those dark clouds! It is going to rain.
  • He's driving too fast. He is going to crash!
  • She's studying very hard. She is going to pass the exam.
  • The fruit is getting soft. It is going to go bad soon.

4. Contractions in Future Tense

Will Contractions

In spoken English and informal writing, "will" is often contracted:

Full Form Contraction Example
I will I'll I'll see you tomorrow.
You will You'll You'll love this movie.
He will He'll He'll arrive at noon.
She will She'll She'll finish the report today.
It will It'll It'll be ready in an hour.
We will We'll We'll meet you at the restaurant.
They will They'll They'll help us move.

Going to Contractions

The "be" verb in "going to" can also be contracted, and in casual speech, "going to" becomes "gonna":

  • I am going to → I'm going to → I'm gonna
  • You are going to → You're going to → You're gonna
  • He is going to → He's going to → He's gonna
  • She is going to → She's going to → She's gonna
  • We are going to → We're going to → We're gonna
  • They are going to → They're going to → They're gonna

Note: "Gonna" is very informal and should only be used in casual conversation, not in formal writing.

5. Time Expressions with Simple Future

The Simple Future is often used with specific time expressions that indicate when something will happen:

Near Future
  • Tomorrow
  • Tonight
  • Next week/month/year
  • This evening/afternoon
  • Later
  • Soon
  • In a few minutes/hours
Distant Future
  • In 2030
  • In the future
  • Someday
  • Eventually
  • In ten years
  • When I'm older
  • In the long term

Examples with time expressions:

  • I will call you tomorrow.
  • She is going to graduate next year.
  • We will meet later this afternoon.
  • They are going to move in six months.
  • Technology will advance rapidly in the future.
  • I am going to retire when I'm 65.

6. Special Uses and Patterns

Future with Time Clauses

When talking about the future, we use the present tense (not future) in time clauses beginning with when, after, before, as soon as, until, etc.:

  • I will call you when I arrive home. (NOT: when I will arrive)
  • She is going to start work after she finishes university.
  • We will have dinner before we go to the cinema.
  • They will leave as soon as the meeting ends.

Future in Conditional Sentences

The future tense appears in the main clause of conditional sentences:

  • If it rains, we will stay inside.
  • If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
  • If they invite us, we are going to go to the party.

Be going to for Near Future

"Be going to" is especially common when talking about the very near future:

  • Watch out! You are going to fall!
  • Hurry up! We are going to be late!
  • Look at those clouds. It is going to storm.

7. Common Irregular Future Forms

Most verbs follow the regular pattern in the future tense, but here are some important points about irregular verbs:

Base Form Will + Base Going to + Base Example
be will be going to be I will be there at 7 PM.
have will have going to have She is going to have a baby.
do will do going to do We will do our best.
go will go going to go They are going to go to Paris.
come will come going to come He will come to the meeting.

Note: All verbs use their base form (infinitive without "to") in future constructions, regardless of whether they're regular or irregular.

8. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Incorrect Correct Explanation
I will to go tomorrow. I will go tomorrow. Don't use "to" after "will"
I am going go shopping. I am going to go shopping. Always include "to" in "going to"
He will goes to school. He will go to school. Use base form after "will", not third person -s
When I will arrive, I will call. When I arrive, I will call. Use present tense in time clauses
We will going to the party. We will go to the party. / We are going to go to the party. Don't mix "will" with "going to"

Simple Future Practice Test

Choose the correct form of the verb in the Simple Future tense for each sentence.

1. I ______ you tomorrow morning.

2. She ______ to Canada next year.

3. We ______ the project next week.

4. They ______ a new house soon.

5. It ______ sunny tomorrow.

Fill in the Blanks - Basic

Complete the sentences using either "will" or "going to" with the correct verb form.

Will vs Going to

Choose whether to use "will" or "going to" based on the context.

1. A: "I forgot to buy milk." B: "Don't worry, I ______ some on my way home."

2. We have already bought our tickets. We ______ to Paris next month.

3. I believe technology ______ our lives in the future.

4. She's studied very hard. She ______ the exam.

5. I promise I ______ you back tomorrow.

Complete with Time Expressions

Fill in the blanks with appropriate time expressions from the box.

Time expressions: tomorrow, next year, tonight, soon, in 2030, later, next week, someday

Summary: Key Points to Remember

  1. The Simple Future has two main forms: "will + base verb" and "be going to + base verb"
  2. Use "will" for spontaneous decisions, predictions based on opinion, and promises
  3. Use "going to" for pre-planned actions and predictions based on present evidence
  4. Always use the base form of the verb (no -s, -ing, or -ed endings)
  5. Contractions are common in spoken English: I'll, you'll, he'll, etc.
  6. Use present tense (not future) in time clauses with when, after, before, etc.
  7. Don't use "to" after "will"
  8. Always include "to" in "going to" constructions
  9. Time expressions help clarify when future actions will happen
  10. Both forms express certainty about future events, but with different nuances

The Simple Future tense is essential for expressing your plans, making predictions, and talking about what will happen. Practice using both "will" and "going to" in different contexts to become more natural and fluent in your English communication. Remember that the choice between them often depends on whether you're making a spontaneous decision or talking about something you've already planned!