The simple future tense is used to talk about things that will happen later or in the future. In this chapter, you’ll learn how to use the simple future tense with “will”, “shall”, and “going to”, and you’ll get plenty of practice with exercises.
- Forming the Simple Future with “Will”
We use “will” to talk about:
- Predictions.
Example: “It will rain tomorrow.” - Decisions are made at the moment of speaking.
Example: “I will help you with your homework.” - Promises or offers.
Example: “I will call you later.”
Structure:
Subject + will + base verb
Example:
- Positive: “I will travel to Paris.”
- Negative: “I will not (won’t) travel to Paris.”
- Question: “Will you travel to Paris?”
2. Using “Going to” for Future Plans
We use “going to” to talk about:
- Plans or intentions.
Example: “I am going to visit my grandparents this weekend.” - Something we are sure will happen based on evidence.
Example: “Look at those clouds! It is going to rain.”
Structure:
Subject + be (am/is/are) + going to + base verb
Example:
- Positive: “She is going to study tonight.”
- Negative: “She is not (isn’t) going to study tonight.”
- Question: “Is she going to study tonight?”
3. Common Time Expressions Used with the Future
Here are some time expressions often used with the future tense:
- Tomorrow
- Next week/month/year
- In a few days/hours/minutes
- Soon
Examples:
- “They will arrive tomorrow.”
- “I am going to finish my homework next week.”
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks with “Will” or “Won’t”
- She _______ (call) you when she gets home.
- We _______ (not travel) to Japan this year.
- _______ you _______ (help) me with this math problem?
- I _______ (buy) some snacks for the party.
Exercise 2: Rewrite Using “Going to”
Example: “She plans to visit her friend.” → “She is going to visit her friend.”
- They plan to watch a movie tonight.
- I plan to clean my room tomorrow.
- He plans to buy a new car soon.
- We plan to start the project next week.
Understanding and using the simple future tense is essential for expressing your plans, intentions, and predictions clearly in English. Whether you’re preparing for a conversation, making future commitments, or writing about upcoming events, mastering this tense will greatly enhance your fluency.
If you’re looking to strengthen your grammar and communication skills, enrolling in an English speaking course in Gurugram can provide the right guidance and practice.
Keep practicing daily, and soon, you’ll be speaking English with clarity and confidence!