The English Future Tense: Formation and Usage
Forming the Future Simple Tense
The future simple tense is used to discuss events or actions that will occur in the future. To form the future simple tense, use the base form of the verb and add “will” or “shall” before it. For instance, “I will eat dinner tonight.” In the case of the third person singular (he, she, it), add “will” and an “s” to the base verb: “She will arrive tomorrow.”
Key Facts
- Forming the Future Simple Tense:
- Use the base form of the verb and add “will” or “shall” before it. For example, “I will eat dinner tonight”.
- For the third person singular (he, she, it), add “will” and an “s” to the base verb. For example, “She will arrive tomorrow”.
- Using the Simple Future Tense:
- The simple future tense is used to talk about things that haven’t happened yet.
- Use the formula “will + [root form of verb]” to form the simple future tense.
- Another way to express future actions is by using the “am/is/are + going to + [root form verb]” construction.
- The “going to” construction is more informal and commonly used in speech and casual writing, while “will” is more formal and suitable for formal writing.
- To make the simple future negative, use the formula “will + not + [root form of verb]” or “am/is/are + not + going to + [root form]”.
- To ask a question in the simple future, use the formula “will + [subject] + [root form of verb]” or “am/is/are + [subject] + going to + [root form of verb]”.
- There are common verbs used in the simple future tense, such as “to be,” “to ask,” “to work,” “to call,” “to use,” and “to have”.
- Understanding the English Future Tense:
- The future tense is used to talk about actions or events that will happen in the future.
- In English, the word “will” is mostly used to express the future tense.
- The future tense can be divided into different forms, including the future simple tense, future continuous tense, and future perfect tense.
- The future simple tense is used to indicate an action that will happen in the future, and it can be formed using “will” or “is going to” followed by the unchanged form of the verb.
- The future continuous tense is used to show an ongoing action in the future, and it is formed using “will + be + verb (-ing)”.
- The future perfect tense is used to indicate a completed action in the future, and it is formed using “will + have + past participle of the verb”.
Using the Simple Future Tense
The simple future tense is employed to refer to events or actions that have not yet taken place. To form the simple future tense, use the formula “will + [root form of verb].” An alternative way to express future actions is by using the “am/is/are + going to + [root form verb]” construction. The “going to” construction is more informal and commonly used in speech and casual writing, while “will” is more formal and suitable for formal writing. To make the simple future negative, use the formula “will + not + [root form of verb]” or “am/is/are + not + going to + [root form]”. To ask a question in the simple future, use the formula “will + [subject] + [root form of verb]” or “am/is/are + [subject] + going to + [root form of verb]”. Common verbs used in the simple future tense include “to be,” “to ask,” “to work,” “to call,” “to use,” and “to have.”
Understanding the English Future Tense
The future tense is used to discuss actions or events that will occur in the future. In English, the word “will” is mostly used to express the future tense. The future tense can be divided into different forms, including the future simple tense, future continuous tense, and future perfect tense. The future simple tense is used to indicate an action that will happen in the future, and it can be formed using “will” or “is going to” followed by the unchanged form of the verb. The future continuous tense is used to show an ongoing action in the future, and it is formed using “will + be + verb (-ing)”. The future perfect tense is used to indicate a completed action in the future, and it is formed using “will + have + past participle of the verb.”
Sources:
- Preply: Forming and Using the Future Simple Tense
- Grammarly: Simple Future Tense: How to Use It, With Examples
- FluentU: The English Future Tense: What It Is and How to Use It Correctly
FAQs
How do I form the future simple tense?
To form the future simple tense, use the base form of the verb and add “will” or “shall” before it. For the third person singular (he, she, it), add “will” and an “s” to the base verb.
How do I use the future simple tense?
The future simple tense is used to talk about events or actions that will happen in the future. It can be used to make predictions, state intentions, or simply describe future events.
What is the difference between “will” and “going to”?
“Will” is used to express a simple future prediction or intention, while “going to” is used to express a planned or intended future action. “Going to” can also be used to make predictions, but it is more informal than “will.”
How do I make the future simple tense negative?
To make the future simple tense negative, add “not” after “will” or “shall.” For example, “I will not go to the party” or “She shall not be late.”
How do I ask a question in the future simple tense?
To ask a question in the future simple tense, invert the subject and “will” or “shall.” For example, “Will you come to the party?” or “Shall we go to the movies?”
What are some common verbs used in the future simple tense?
Some common verbs used in the future simple tense include “to be,” “to have,” “to go,” “to do,” “to see,” and “to say.”
Can I use the future simple tense to talk about habitual actions in the future?
Yes, you can use the future simple tense to talk about habitual actions in the future. In this case, “will” expresses a strong likelihood that the action will happen. For example, “I will go to the gym every day next week.”
Can I use the future simple tense to make promises?
Yes, you can use the future simple tense to make promises. In this case, “will” expresses a strong intention to do something. For example, “I will help you with your homework.”