Lesson 11. Simple Future Tense in English

What is simple future tense?

Simple future tense is used to indicate things or actions that have not happened yet. As long as the time of the actions takes place later than now, they are all regarded as simple future tense.

 

Read: Simple Present Tense in English

 

When should we use simple future tense?

Use simple future tense for:

1. Predicting a future event
2. Showing a spontaneous decision
3. Giving an order or invitation (using ‘will’)
4. Conveying a suggestion (using ‘shall’)
5. Expressing willingness (positive sentences) or unwillingness (negative sentences)
6. Asking an advice (interrogative, using ‘shall’)
7. Offering an action (interrogative, using ‘shall’)

 

How to form a simple future tense sentence?

Positive Sentences

Structure:

Subject + Will/Shall + Verb 1

Subject + Am/Is/Are + Going To + Verb 1

 

Negaitive Sentences

Structure:

Subject + Will/Shall + Not + Verb 1

Subject + Am/Is/Are + Not + Going To + Verb 1

 

Questions

Structure:

Will/Shall + Subject + Verb 1 + ?

Am/Is/Are + Subject + Going To + Verb 1 + ?

 

Note: Verb 1 or infinitive form is a verb that uses the root form of the verb.

 

Read: Simple Past Tense in English

 

What is the general rule for the verbs?

Simple future tense sentences can be formed using the helping verb ‘will’ or ‘shall’ and also the verb ‘to be + going to’. The verbs that used in simple future tense sentences are in the infinitive forms (without additional -s or -es for the 3^rd singular subjects).

 

Examples:

Predicting a future event:

A heavy snow will occur tomorrow.

A heavy snow will not occur tomorrow.

Will a heavy snow occur tomorrow?

 

Showing a spontaneous decision:

I will carry this box for you.

I will not carry this box for you.

Will you carry this box for me?

 

Giving an order or invitation:

You will go to Bandung for a business trip next week.

You will not go to Bandung for a business trip next week.

Will you go to Bandung for a business trip next week?

 

Conveying a suggestion:

We shall take a break for 15 minutes.

We shall not take a break for 15 minutes.

Shall we take a break for 15 minutes?

 

Expressing willingness (positive sentences) or unwillingness (negative sentences)

I am going to do the homework.

I am not going to do the homework.

 

Asking an advice:

Shall I bring them a hamper?

 

Offering an action:

Shall we close the shop?

 

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