Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What is the Future Simple Tense?
  3. When to Use the Future Simple Tense
  4. How to Form the Future Simple Tense
  5. Examples of the Future Simple Tense
  6. ‘Will’ vs ‘Going to’
  7. Common Mistakes with Future Simple Tense
  8. Future Simple Tense Exercises
  9. Answers
  10. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome to The Ultimate Guide to the Future Simple Tense for ESL Students! Understanding verb tenses is essential for expressing yourself accurately in English. The future simple tense allows you to talk about actions or events that will happen in the future.

In this guide, we’ll explore when and how to use the future simple tense, provide plenty of examples, and offer exercises to help you practise. By the end, you’ll be confident in using the future simple tense in your everyday conversations and writing.

What is the Future Simple Tense?

The future simple tense is used to describe actions or events that will occur in the future. It is one of the basic tenses in English and is straightforward to learn.

Definition:
The future simple tense expresses actions that have not yet happened but will happen at a later time.

Examples:

  • I will call you tomorrow.
  • They will arrive next week.

In these examples, the verbs “call” and “arrive” are actions that will take place in the future.

When to Use the Future Simple Tense

Use the future simple tense when you want to:

  1. Express a Future Action or Intention:
    • I will travel to Spain next month.
  2. Make a Prediction or Guess:
    • It will rain later today.
  3. Offer or Promise:
    • I will help you with your homework.
  4. Make a Quick Decision:
    • I’m thirsty. I will get a glass of water.
  5. Express a Future Fact:
    • The sun will rise at 6 am tomorrow.

Note: The future simple tense is often used with time expressions like “tomorrow,” “next week,” “in a year,” etc.

How to Form the Future Simple Tense

The future simple tense is formed using ‘will’ plus the base form of the main verb.

Affirmative Sentences

Structure:

Subject + will + base form of the verb

Examples:

  • She will start her new job on Monday.
  • We will visit our grandparents this weekend.

Negative Sentences

To form negative sentences, add ‘not’ after ‘will’.

Structure:

Subject + will not (won’t) + base form of the verb

Contractions:

Will not can be contracted to won’t.

Examples:

  • He will not (won’t) forget your birthday.
  • They won’t attend the meeting.

Questions

To form questions, invert ‘will’ and the subject.

Structure:

Will + subject + base form of the verb?

Examples:

  • Will you join us for dinner?
  • Will it snow tomorrow?

Examples of the Future Simple Tense

Let’s explore more examples to understand how the future simple tense is used in different contexts.

  1. Expressing Intentions:
    • I will start a new hobby soon.
    • She will learn to play the piano.
  2. Making Predictions:
    • They will win the match.
    • Prices will increase next year.
  3. Offering Help:
    • I will carry your bags.
    • We will cook dinner tonight.
  4. Quick Decisions:
    • There’s the phone ringing. I will answer it.
    • We have no milk. I will go to the shop.
  5. Promises and Threats:
    • I will always love you.
    • If you don’t study, you will fail the exam.

‘Will’ vs ‘Going to’

Both ‘will’ and ‘going to’ can express future actions, but they are used differently.

‘Will’

Use ‘will’ for:

  1. Spontaneous Decisions:
    • A: “I’m cold.”
    • B: “I will close the window.”
  2. Promises and Offers:
    • I will help you with your project.
  3. Predictions Based on Opinions:
    • I think it will be a great day.

‘Going to’

Use ‘going to’ for:

  1. Plans or Intentions:
    • She is going to visit her friend tomorrow.
  2. Predictions Based on Evidence:
    • Look at those clouds. It is going to rain.

Examples:

Will:

  • I will call you tonight. (Decision made at the moment)

Going to:

  • I am going to call you tonight. (Pre-planned action)

Note: Both are correct, but the choice depends on the context.

Common Mistakes with Future Simple Tense

Here are some common errors ESL students make with the future simple tense and tips to avoid them.

1. Using ‘will’ with the Present Continuous

Mistake:

I will am going to the party.

Correction:

  • I will go to the party.
  • OR: I am going to the party.

Tip: Do not mix ‘will’ with the present continuous form.

2. Forgetting to Use the Base Form of the Verb

Mistake:

She will to start her job soon.

Correction:

She will start her job soon.

Tip: Always use the base form of the verb after ‘will’ without ‘to’.

3. Using ‘Will’ After ‘To Be’

Mistake:

He is will come later.

Correction:

  • He will come later.
  • OR: He is going to come later.

Tip: Use ‘will’ directly after the subject.

4. Negatives with ‘Willn’t’ Instead of ‘Won’t’

Mistake:

They willn’t attend the meeting.

Correction:

They won’t attend the meeting.

Tip: The contraction for ‘will not’ is ‘won’t’.

5. Using ‘Will’ for Fixed Arrangements

Mistake:

The train will leave at 6 pm.

Correction:

The train leaves at 6 pm.

Tip: Use the present simple tense for timetables and fixed events.

Future Simple Tense Exercises

Now it’s time to practise! Try these exercises to test your understanding of the future simple tense.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the future simple tense of the verbs in brackets.

  1. I _______ (call) you when I arrive.
  2. They _______ (not finish) the project on time.
  3. _______ you _______ (help) me with my luggage?
  4. She thinks it _______ (rain) tomorrow.
  5. We _______ (start) the meeting at 9 am.

Exercise 2: Choose ‘Will’ or ‘Going to’

Decide whether to use ‘will’ or ‘going to’ in each sentence.

  1. Look at those dark clouds! It _______ rain.
  2. She _______ study medicine next year. It’s her plan.
  3. I forgot to buy milk. I _______ get some now.
  4. He thinks they _______ win the game.
  5. We _______ have a party tonight. Everything is ready.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the sentences in the negative form of the future simple tense.

  1. She will attend the conference.
  2. They will buy a new car.
  3. He will tell the truth.
  4. We will visit the museum.
  5. I will forget this day.

Exercise 4: Form Questions

Form questions in the future simple tense from the following statements.

  1. You will travel to Italy.
  2. They will finish the work.
  3. She will bake a cake.
  4. He will join us later.
  5. We will watch a movie.

Exercise 5: Correct the Mistakes

Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.

  1. I will to meet you at the station.
  2. She will comes tomorrow.
  3. They won’t going to the party.
  4. Will he to arrive on time?
  5. We willn’t be late.

Answers

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

  1. I will call you when I arrive.
  2. They will not (won’t) finish the project on time.
  3. Will you help me with my luggage?
  4. She thinks it will rain tomorrow.
  5. We will start the meeting at 9 am.

Exercise 2: Choose ‘Will’ or ‘Going to’

  1. Look at those dark clouds! It is going to rain.
  2. She is going to study medicine next year. It’s her plan.
  3. I forgot to buy milk. I will get some now.
  4. He thinks they will win the game.
  5. We are going to have a party tonight. Everything is ready.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences

  1. She will not (won’t) attend the conference.
  2. They will not (won’t) buy a new car.
  3. He will not (won’t) tell the truth.
  4. We will not (won’t) visit the museum.
  5. I will not (won’t) forget this day.

Exercise 4: Form Questions

  1. Will you travel to Italy?
  2. Will they finish the work?
  3. Will she bake a cake?
  4. Will he join us later?
  5. Will we watch a movie?

Exercise 5: Correct the Mistakes

  1. I will meet you at the station.
  2. She will come tomorrow.
  3. They won’t go to the party.
  4. Will he arrive on time?
  5. We won’t be late.

Conclusion

Understanding the future simple tense is essential for discussing future events, making predictions, and expressing intentions in English. Remember the simple structure using ‘will’ and the base form of the verb. Practise regularly with the exercises provided to build your confidence.

If you have any questions, thoughts, or would like to share your own sentences using the future simple tense, please leave a comment below.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *