Simple Future Tense: Negative and Questions

In this lesson, we'll explore the negative forms and question forms of the Simple Future tense. Building on your knowledge of affirmative Simple Future, you'll learn how to express what won't happen, ask about future events, and form negative questions. These forms are essential for complete communication about future plans, predictions, and possibilities.

We'll cover both "will" and "going to" structures in their negative and interrogative forms, including short answers and question words.

1. Negative Forms of Simple Future

Will + Not (Won't)

Structure: Subject + will not / won't + base verb

Subject Will Not Contraction Base Verb Example
I will not won't work I won't work tomorrow.
You will not won't work You won't work late tonight.
He will not won't work He won't work on weekends.
She will not won't work She won't work in that department.
It will not won't work It won't work without electricity.
We will not won't work We won't work during the holidays.
They will not won't work They won't work for that company.

Going to + Not

Structure: Subject + am/is/are + not + going to + base verb

Subject Be + Not Contraction Going to + Verb Example
I am not I'm not going to travel I'm not going to travel this year.
You are not aren't / you're not going to travel You aren't going to travel alone.
He is not isn't / he's not going to travel He isn't going to travel by plane.
She is not isn't / she's not going to travel She isn't going to travel abroad.
It is not isn't / it's not going to rain It isn't going to rain today.
We are not aren't / we're not going to travel We aren't going to travel together.
They are not aren't / they're not going to travel They aren't going to travel in winter.

2. Question Forms of Simple Future

Yes/No Questions with Will

Structure: Will + subject + base verb + ?

Will Subject Base Verb Question Short Answer (+) Short Answer (-)
Will I need Will I need a visa? Yes, you will. No, you won't.
Will you come Will you come to the party? Yes, I will. No, I won't.
Will he finish Will he finish on time? Yes, he will. No, he won't.
Will she help Will she help us? Yes, she will. No, she won't.
Will it rain Will it rain tomorrow? Yes, it will. No, it won't.
Will we meet Will we meet again? Yes, we will. No, we won't.
Will they arrive Will they arrive soon? Yes, they will. No, they won't.

Yes/No Questions with Going to

Structure: Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + base verb + ?

Be Verb Subject Going to + Verb Question Short Answer (+) Short Answer (-)
Am I going to be Am I going to be late? Yes, you are. No, you aren't.
Are you going to study Are you going to study tonight? Yes, I am. No, I'm not.
Is he going to call Is he going to call you? Yes, he is. No, he isn't.
Is she going to move Is she going to move house? Yes, she is. No, she isn't.
Is it going to snow Is it going to snow tonight? Yes, it is. No, it isn't.
Are we going to leave Are we going to leave now? Yes, we are. No, we aren't.
Are they going to buy Are they going to buy a car? Yes, they are. No, they aren't.

3. WH-Questions (Information Questions)

WH-questions ask for specific information using question words like what, where, when, who, why, how, etc.

WH-Questions with Will

Structure: Question word + will + subject + base verb + ?

  • What will you do tomorrow? (asking about activities)
  • Where will they go on vacation? (asking about place)
  • When will she arrive? (asking about time)
  • Who will help us move? (asking about person)
  • Why will he leave early? (asking about reason)
  • How will we get there? (asking about method)
  • How long will the meeting last? (asking about duration)
  • How much will it cost? (asking about price)
  • How many people will come? (asking about quantity)

WH-Questions with Going to

Structure: Question word + am/is/are + subject + going to + base verb + ?

  • What are you going to study? (asking about subject)
  • Where is he going to work? (asking about location)
  • When are they going to start? (asking about time)
  • Who is going to drive? (asking about person)
  • Why are you going to quit? (asking about reason)
  • How is she going to travel? (asking about method)
  • How long are you going to stay? (asking about duration)
  • How much is it going to cost? (asking about price)
  • How many books are you going to read? (asking about quantity)

Special Cases: Questions about the Subject

When the question word (who/what) is the subject, we don't use auxiliary inversion:

  • Who will come to the party? (Who is the subject)
  • What will happen next? (What is the subject)
  • Who is going to help us? (Who is the subject)
  • What is going to change? (What is the subject)

4. Negative Questions

Negative questions are used to express surprise, confirm expectations, or make polite requests/offers.

Negative Questions with Will

Structure: Won't + subject + base verb + ?

Negative Question Usage Expected Answer
Won't you come with us? Invitation/surprise Yes, I will. / No, I won't.
Won't it be cold there? Confirming expectation Yes, it will. / No, it won't.
Won't you help me? Polite request Yes, I will. / Sorry, I can't.
Won't they be surprised? Seeking confirmation Yes, they will. / No, they won't.

Negative Questions with Going to

Structure: Aren't/Isn't + subject + going to + base verb + ?

Negative Question Usage Expected Answer
Aren't you going to eat dinner? Expressing surprise Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
Isn't he going to call you back? Confirming expectation Yes, he is. / No, he isn't.
Aren't they going to join us? Checking plans Yes, they are. / No, they aren't.
Isn't it going to rain today? Seeking confirmation Yes, it is. / No, it isn't.

5. Uses of Negative and Question Forms

When to Use Negative Forms

1. Expressing Refusal or Unwillingness (Will not/Won't)
  • I won't work overtime anymore. (refusal)
  • The car won't start this morning. (inability)
  • He won't listen to advice. (stubbornness)
2. Negative Predictions
  • It won't rain tomorrow. (weather prediction)
  • She won't pass the exam without studying. (based on evidence)
  • They aren't going to finish on time. (based on current progress)
3. Cancelled or Changed Plans
  • We aren't going to travel this summer. (changed plans)
  • I'm not going to buy that car after all. (changed decision)
  • The meeting won't take place as scheduled. (cancelled)

When to Use Questions

1. Asking About Plans and Intentions
  • What are you going to do this weekend?
  • Are you going to study abroad?
  • Where will you go on your honeymoon?
2. Making Predictions and Seeking Opinions
  • Do you think it will rain tomorrow?
  • Will technology change our lives?
  • How will this affect the economy?
3. Polite Requests and Offers
  • Will you help me with this?
  • Won't you join us for dinner?
  • Shall I call you later? (British English)

6. Common Mistakes and Corrections

Incorrect Correct Explanation
I willn't go. I won't go. "Won't" is the only contraction for "will not"
Will you to come? Will you come? Don't use "to" after "will" in questions
Are you going come? Are you going to come? Always include "to" in "going to" questions
Do you will help me? Will you help me? Don't use "do" with "will" in questions
She won't goes there. She won't go there. Use base form after "won't", not third person -s
I'm not going buy it. I'm not going to buy it. Don't omit "to" in negative "going to" forms
What you will do? What will you do? Use correct word order: Question word + will + subject

7. Tag Questions with Future

Tag questions are short questions added to the end of statements to confirm information or seek agreement.

Rules for Tag Questions

  • Positive statement → negative tag
  • Negative statement → positive tag
  • Same auxiliary verb in statement and tag

Examples with Will

  • You will come tomorrow, won't you?
  • She won't be late, will she?
  • It will rain tonight, won't it?
  • They won't help us, will they?

Examples with Going to

  • You're going to study abroad, aren't you?
  • He isn't going to come, is he?
  • We're going to meet at 7, aren't we?
  • They're not going to move, are they?

Simple Future Negative and Questions Test

Choose the correct negative or question form for each sentence.

1. She ______ to the party tomorrow.

2. ______ you going to help me?

3. They ______ not going to travel this year.

4. ______ will happen next?

5. ______ it rain tomorrow? - No, it won't.

Transform Sentences

Change the following affirmative sentences to negative or questions as indicated.

Short Answers

Provide appropriate short answers for the following questions.

1. Will you come to the meeting? (Yes)

2. Are they going to move house? (No)

3. Won't she help us? (Yes)

4. Is it going to rain today? (No)

5. Will the meeting be cancelled? (Yes)

WH-Questions Practice

Choose the correct question word to complete each question.

1. ______ will you do tomorrow?

2. ______ are they going to arrive?

3. ______ will help us move? (asking about person)

4. ______ much will it cost?

5. ______ is she going to quit her job?

Tag Questions

Complete the tag questions correctly.

Summary: Key Points to Remember

  1. Negative with Will: Subject + won't + base verb (I won't go)
  2. Negative with Going to: Subject + am/is/are + not + going to + base verb (I'm not going to go)
  3. Questions with Will: Will + subject + base verb? (Will you come?)
  4. Questions with Going to: Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + base verb? (Are you going to come?)
  5. WH-Questions: Question word + will/be + subject + (going to) + base verb?
  6. Short Answers: Match the auxiliary verb from the question (Will you...? Yes, I will.)
  7. Negative Questions: Won't you...? / Aren't you going to...? (for surprise, confirmation, or polite requests)
  8. Tag Questions: Positive statement → negative tag, Negative statement → positive tag
  9. Common Contractions: won't (will not), aren't (are not), isn't (is not)
  10. Word Order: Always maintain correct auxiliary verb placement in questions

Mastering negative forms and questions in the Simple Future tense allows you to express refusal, ask about plans, make polite requests, and engage in natural conversations about future events. Practice these forms regularly to become more confident in discussing what won't happen and asking about future possibilities. Remember that the auxiliary verbs (will, am/is/are) carry the negative and question meanings, while the main verb always stays in its base form!