Simple Future Tense: Examples, Definition, Use, Formula, Structure, Rules and Exercises.
English is a complex language with a variety of different tenses that can be used to express actions, events, and states of being. While some tenses are more commonly used than others, all have their own specific purposes and uses. That is why it’s important to test yourself with simple future tense examples and exercises when studying tense use. Distinguishing between tenses is essential to communicating effectively.
For example, the present tense is typically used to describe actions that are happening now, whereas the past tense is used to describe actions that have already taken place. The future tense, meanwhile, is used to describe actions that will take place at some point in the future.
The use of tense can also help to convey a sense of time and continuous form in a story or narrative. For instance, by switching between the present and past tense, an author can create a sense of immediacy or flashbacks.
Tense can also be used to create mood or atmosphere, as in horror stories where the use of present tense can heighten the sense of anxiety and suspense. Consequently, understanding how to use tense correctly is essential for communicating subjunctive forms effectively.
In this blog, we will explore the use of the Simple Future tense, and how this indicative form is used, along with the verb meanings in their conjugated form. Keep reading to learn more about this popular tense!
What is the Definition and Meaning of Simple Future Tense?
The simple future tense is used to describe a distinct time specification that will take place at some point in the future. For example, “I will go to the store tomorrow.” The simple future tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb “will” followed by the base form of the main verb. In the example sentence, “will go” is the simple future tense of the verb “to go.”
The simple future tense can also be used to make predictions about the future, as in “I think he will win the game.” In this case, the speaker is not talking about a specific event, but rather making a general statement about what they believe will happen. This conjugated form is a versatile tool that can be used in a variety of situations. With a little practice, you will be able to use it with ease.
How should English Learners best study and learn the proper usage of Simple Future Tense Words?
English Learners need to have a good understanding of Simple Future Tense in order to communicate properly. There are different ways of studying and learning the proper usage of Simple Future Tense auxiliary verbs:
- One way is by sentence construction. This involves looking at the word, breaking it down into its different parts, and then putting it back together in a sentence.
- Another way is by writing sentences using the word in various tenses. This helps with understanding how the word changes with tense.
- It is also important to understand the context in which the word is being used. This includes looking at body language and facial expressions as well as the tone of voice being used.
- Finally, it is important to practice using the word in conversation with others. This will help with both confidence and pronunciation.
By using these methods, English Learners will be able to effectively study and learn the proper usage of Simple Future Tense verbs. They will be able to communicate distinct time specifications in their speech.
| Tenses | Examples |
| Simple Future Tense | I will eat potato chips. I will call my grandmother. I will finish my homework in time for school. |
| Future Continuous Tense. | I will have been planning the weekend. The children will have been sleeping. He will have been working. |
| Future Perfect Tense | I will have called the school. Clearly, she will have slipped on the ice. She will have purchased a new hat. |
| Future Perfect Continuous Tense | I will have been working at the store all year. My friend will have been going to that school for 3 years. The cow will have been chewing on grass for lunch. |
How Do You Use the Simple Future Tense?
The simple future tense is used to describe a future action. For example, if you are making plans to go on vacation next month, you would use the simple future tense to describe your plans.
To form the simple future tense, you simply add the appropriate ending to the verb. For example, the regular verb “walk” becomes “will walk” in the simple future tense. Irregular verbs, such as “be” and “have,” have different endings in the simple future action.
The simple future tense can be used for both positive and negative statements, as well as questions. For example, you might say “I will go to the store later” or “I will not go to the store today.”
You can also ask questions in the simple future tense, such as “Will you be at the meeting tomorrow?” Keep in mind that the simple future tense is only used to describe events that haven’t happened yet – it cannot be used to describe events that are already happening or have already happened. For example, you would not use a simple future tense verb to say “I am going to the store now” or “I went to the store yesterday.” If you’re not sure whether or not to use the simple future tense verb, try using a different base form – such as the present or past verb tense – instead.
Here are a few more examples of sentences in the Simple Future Tense:
- I will graduate by this time next year.
- The sun will rise at 6:15 tomorrow morning.
- We will finish painting the house before the end of the day.
- The new shopping centre will open next week.
- I will meet you for lunch at noon tomorrow.
Structure of the Simple Future Tense
The simple future tense is used to make a time reference that might take place in the future. To form the simple future tense, the auxiliary verb “will” is used, followed by the base form of the main verb. For example, the sentence “I will go to the store” is an imperative sentence. The simple future tense can also be used to describe an event that is likely to occur in the future. For example, the sentence “It will rain tomorrow” is in the simple future tense. The simple future tense is often used with future time expressions such as “tomorrow,” “next week,” or “in two hours.”
What is the Simple Future Tense formula?
[Subject] + [will/shall] + [Verb]
What is the structure of the Simple Future Tense?
| Structure of Simple Future Tense | |||
| Positive | Negative | Interrogative | Negative Interrogative |
| [will + verb] | [will + not + verb] | [will + subject + verb] | [will + subject + not + verb] |
| I will change the pool filter. You will change the pool filter. He will change the pool filter. She will change the pool filter. They will change the pool filter. | I will not change the pool filter. You will not change the pool filter. He will not change the pool filter. She will not change the pool filter. They will not change the pool filter. | Will I change the pool filter? Will you change the pool filter? Will he change the pool filter? Will she change the pool filter? Will they change the pool filter? | Will I not change the pool filter? Will you not change the pool filter? Will he not change the pool filter? Will she not change the pool filter? Will they not change the pool filter? |
What are Simple Future Tense uses?
The Simple Future forms are used to describe an event that will happen at some point in the future. For example, “I will finish my homework tonight.” In this sentence, the event (finishing my homework) is something that has not happened yet, but it will happen in the future. The Simple Future Tense can also be used to describe a future event that is unlikely to happen. For example, “I will win the lottery.” In this sentence, the event (winning the lottery) is something that may or may not happen, but it is unlikely to happen. Finally, the Simple Future Tense can be used to make a prediction about a time of action. For example, “The sun will rise tomorrow.” In this sentence, the event (the sun rising) is something that will definitely happen.
Simple Future Tense Sentence Examples
Simple Future Questions
1. Will you be attending the meeting tomorrow?
2. Will the conference be held in New York?
3. When will the next train arrive?
4. What will the weather be like tomorrow?
5. How long will it take to get to the airport?
Simple Future Greetings
6. I wish you a great day.
7. I hope you enjoy your day.
8. I bet you’ll have a wonderful day.
9. I pray for you to have a blessed day.
10. I anticipate you’ll have a beautiful day
Simple Future Yes/No Questions
11. Will you be home for dinner tonight?
12. Are you going to answer the door?
13. Will you turn off the light before you go to bed?
14. Are you using a different search engine?
15. Will you please be quiet?
Simple Future Statements
16. I will graduate from college next year.
17. I will get married in June.
18. I will have a baby in August.
19. I will buy a new car next month.
20. I will move to a new house in September.
Simple Future Phrases
21. I will visit my grandparents next weekend.
22. I will submit my report by the end of the day.
23. I will finish my degree next year.
24. I will be a doctor someday.
25. I’ll be happy when I finish my exams.
What are Common Mistakes English Students make when learning to use Simple Future Verbs & Words?
- Failing to conjugate the verb correctly. For example, many students will mistakenly use the present tense instead of the future tense when talking about plans or scheduled events. Another common mistake is using the incorrect verb form when making a prediction. For instance, someone might say “I think it rains tomorrow” instead of “I think it will rain tomorrow.” These small errors can be easily corrected with some practice and attention to detail.
- Using future tense verbs in place of other words or phrases that would convey the same meaning. For example, instead of saying “I am going to the store later,” one could simply say “I will go to the store later.” While both phrases are technically correct, the latter is much more concise and straightforward. Similarly, instead of saying “I need to finish my homework before I go to bed,” one could say “I have to finish my homework before I go to bed.” Again, both phrases mean essentially the same thing, but the second is much more concise and therefore easier to understand.
- Using simple future verbs when they are actually talking about something that is not going to happen in the future. For example, someone might say “The sun sets in the west” when they mean “The sun always sets in the west.” This error can be easily avoided by paying attention to context clues and choosing the correct form of verb based on whether you are referring to a scheduled event or a general truth. With a little practice, anyone can avoid these common mistakes and sound like a native speaker in no time!
How Can Language Learners Avoid Making Common Mistakes?
English language learners often make common mistakes with simple future verbs and words. These mistakes can be easily avoided with a little practice and attention.
- One common mistake is to use the present tense instead of the future tense when talking about plans or scheduled events. For example, incorrectly saying “I go to the movies tomorrow” instead of “I will go to the movies tomorrow.”
- Another mistake is using “going to” instead of “will” when talking about future events that are not yet scheduled. For example, saying “I am going to study for my test” instead of “I will study for my test.”
- It is also important to be careful when using time words and phrases such as “tomorrow,” “next week,” and “in two days.” These words and phrases typically require the use of the future tense.
- Lastly, avoid using contractions when speaking in the simple future tense. While contractions are common in everyday speech, they are generally considered informal and should be avoided in formal or academic contexts.
With a little practice, avoiding these common mistakes will become second nature.
The Simple FutureTense: Checking Your Understanding
Below we have provided examples of this tense form with answers in the conjugated form.
Simple Future Tense Exercises:
1. I _ _ my homework.
2. You _ _ the instructions.
3. He _ _ the letter.
4. She _ _ the package.
5. It _ _ tomorrow.
6. We _ _ to the park.
7. They _ _ their grandparents.
8. I _ _ tennis with John.
9. You _ _ a vacation next month.
10. They _ _ a baby in July.
Answers:
1. I will finish my homework.
2. You will read the book on the Greek Biographer.
3. He will write the letter.
4. She will receive the package.
5. It will rain tomorrow.
6. We will finish your homework in time.
7. They will visit their grandparents.
8. I will play tennis with John.
9. You will take a vacation next month.
10. They will have a picnic tomorrow.
Common Verbs in the Simple Future Tense
There are many correct options you can choose for verbs in a future action. This applies to negative form statements or positive. While there are a few different ways to use the simple future verb forms, the most common is to use the base form of the verb + “will.”
For example, “I will go to the store.” Other common verbs in the simple future tense actions include “will eat,” “will drink,” and “will sleep.” In addition to using the base form of the verb, you can also use the present tense form of the verb + “going to.” For example, “I am going to eat dinner.” The simple future tense is a great way to describe future plans and events.
Here are 14 common verbs that are conjugated in the Simple Future Tense:
- Will be
- Will do
- Will have
- Will go
- Will walk
- Will run
- Will arrive
- Will drink
- Will eat
- Will read
- Will write
- Will listen
- Will look
- Will hear
Here are some more examples of Simple Future verbs in action:
- I will be going to the store tomorrow by bus.
- You will push the green buttons.
- He will have finished the history assignment tomorrow morning by 9 o’clock.
- We will see you at the library tomorrow.
- They will hear the news on the radio.
Conclusion
The simple future tense is a versatile tool that can be used to express a wide range of factual statements. When used properly, it can add precision and clarity to your writing. By using the simple future tense, you can indicate whether an event is certain to happen or merely likely to occur. You can also use the simple future tense to express your intentions or make predictions about the future.
However, as with all grammatical tools, it is important to use the simple future tense appropriately in order to avoid confusion or ambiguity. With a little practice time and the right form of verb, you will be able to master the simple future tense and use it effectively in your writing. Even if you don’t consider yourself a grammatical person!
Frequently Asked Questions for Simple Future Tense:
The future tense is used to describe actions that have not yet taken place. It can be used to make predictions about the future, or to express plans or intentions. The five most common uses of the future tense are:
1. To describe an action that will take place in the future: I will meet you in front of the school at 3:00.
2. To describe an ongoing action that will continue into the future: They will be arriving by train tomorrow afternoon.
3. To describe an action that someone intends to do in the future: I will finish my homework before dinner.
4. To make a prediction about the future: The sun will rise at 6:15 tomorrow morning.
5. To express a hope or wish for the future: I hope it will rain tomorrow.
There are four primary types of future tense: Future Simple, Future Continuous, Future Perfect, and Future Perfect Continuous.
Each tense expresses a different meaning and serves a distinct purpose.
For example, the Future Simple tense is used to express an action that will happen once or for a short period of time. It is often used with verbs like “go,” “arrive,” and “leave.”
In contrast, the Future Continuous tense emphasizes an action that will be in progress at a specific point in the future. It is often used with verbs like “be,” “work,” and “live.”
The Future Perfect tense expresses an action that will be completed by a certain point in the future. It is typically used with verbs like “have,” “finish,” and “complete.”
Finally, the Future Perfect Continuous tense emphasizes an action that will be ongoing up until a specific point in the future. It is often used with verbs like “be,” “work,” and “live.”
Each of these tenses provides a unique way to talk about the future, making them all essential tools in the English language.
According to the Cambridge University Press, in grammar, the simple future tense is used to describe an event that will happen at a future time. This can be used to describe both definite plans and more general predictions about the future.
For example, if you are meeting a friend for lunch tomorrow, you would use simple future tense to say “I will meet you at noon.” On the other hand, if you are talking about a more uncertain event, such as the weather tomorrow, you might say “It will rain tomorrow.”
In both cases, the basic structure of the sentence is the same: subject + will + verb. However, the meaning of the sentence can vary depending on whether you are talking about a definite event or a more general prediction.
Here are 10 examples of simple future-tense sentences:
1. I will read a book tonight before bed.
2. Tomorrow, we will write a test in school.
3. I am going to drive to work tomorrow morning.
4. Next week, she will do laundry on Monday and Wednesday nights.
5. They are going to take out the trash tonight after dinner.
6. Do not worry, I will not forget to feed the cat while you are gone.
7. I promise that I will call you as soon as I get home from work today.
8. I think it will rain tomorrow afternoon around 3 pm.
9. The sun will rise at 6:15 am tomorrow morning.
10. I am certain that he will arrive home from his business trip later tonight.
The formula for the simple future tense in positive sentences is: [Subject + will + verb]. For example, “I will go to the store.” In the sentence above, “I” is the subject, “will” is the auxiliary verb, and “go” is the main verb. The word “will” can also be a contraction of “will not,” as in the sentence, “I’ll go to the store.” When using the negative sentences in the simple future tense, the formula is: [Subject + will not/won’t + verb], as in the sentence, “I won’t go to the store.”
In order to form interrogative sentences in the simple future tense, the formula is: [Will + subject + verb?], as in the sentence, “Will you go to the store?” It is important to include the question mark at the end to indicate the correct form/question form/interrogative form.
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Bethany MacDonald
Bethany MacDonald has contributed articles LillyPad.ai since 2020. As their Blog Lead, she specialises in informative pieces on culture, education, and language learning
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