English Future Simple – Eduma English

Summary

The future simple tense is used to talk about actions or events that will happen at a later time. It is commonly used for predictions, promises, offers and decisions made at the moment of speaking. We use both “going to” and “will” to talk about the future.

In-depth Explanation

Using “Going to” to Talk About the Future

Here are the main situations when we use “going to“ to talk about the future:

To talk about future plans, goals or intentions

When I finish this course, I’m going to celebrate.

He’s going to travel to London next month.

To make predictions based on evidence

We’re going to have a great time because we’ll all be together.

You’ve got an amazing CV, so they’re going to offer you the job.

How to Form the Future Simple Tense with “Going to”

Here is the structure for forming the future simple tense using “going to”:

[Subject] + [conjugated form of “to be”] + going to + [base form of main verb]

For example:

We are going to visit our cousins in Singapore.

She is going to have a party this weekend.

The subject and the verb “to be” are often contracted into one word. For example:

We’re going to visit our cousins in Singapore.

She’s going to have a party this weekend.

Negative Sentences Using “Going to”

To make a negative sentence, we use “not going to” after the verb “to be”:

[Subject] + [conjugated form of “to be”] + not going to + [base form of main verb]

For example:

I am not going to answer this email today. → I’m not going to answer this email today.

She is not going to come to the meeting. → She isn’t going to come to the meeting.

Questions Using “Going to”

To form a question, we put the verb “to be” before the subject:

[Conjugated form of “to be”] + [subject] + going to + [base form of main verb]…?

For example:

Are you going to accept the job offer?

When is he going to visit us?

Using “Will” to Talk About the Future

Here are some of the main situations when we use “will” to talk about the future:

To make simple predictions about the future

I think you’ll get the job.

It will be a new beginning for both of us.

To make offers

I’ll drive you to your appointment.

We’ll help you move this weekend.

To make promises

I promise I won’t sign the contract until you read it.

We’ll send you the documents right away.

For spontaneous decisions (decisions made at the time of speaking)

I’m hungry. I think I‘ll order a pizza.

That sounds interesting. I’ll do some reading about the topic.

How to Form the Future Simple Tense Using “Will”

To form the future simple tense using “will,” we use this structure:

[Subject] + will + [base form of the main verb]

“Will” does not change form with different subjects. For example:

It will rain tomorrow.

We will help you.

We often contract the subject with the word “will.” For example:

It’ll rain tomorrow.

We’ll help you.

Negative Sentences Using “Will”

To make a negative sentence, we use “will not” or the contracted form “won’t” (often used in spoken English or informally):

[Subject] + will not / won’t + [base form of main verb]

For example:

It won’t be easy to find a job.

We won’t find many restaurants open this late.

Questions Using “Will”

To ask a question, we put “will” before the subject:

Will + [subject] + [base form of main verb]…?

For example:

Will you go to the party with me?

Will it be rainy tomorrow, too?