The simple future tense:
This page will present the simple future tense:
its form
and its use.
The forms of the simple future:
The simple future is formed as follows:
will / 'll + verb
will = 'll
The affirmative form of the simple future:
I, you, he, she, it, we, they will / ''ll go.
Examples:
I think I'll buy a new computer.
I will open the door. Someone is ringing the bell.
The interrogative form of the simple future:
Will I, you, he, she, it, we, they go?
Examples:
Will you buy a computer?
Will you go to the party?
The negative form of the simple future:
I, you, he, she, it, we, they will not go.
won't
will not = won't
Examples:
I will not stay at home if I finish the homework.
I won't visit Big Ben if I go to London.
The use of the simple future:
We use the simple future for instant decisions.
Example: "I've left the door open; I'll close it."
We use the simple future , when we predict a future situation:
Example: "She'll pass the exam. She's hardworking"
We use the simple future with: "I (don't) think...", "I expect...", "I'm sure...", "I wonder...", "probably".
Example: "It will probably rain tonight" , "I wonder what will happen?
We use the simple future in conditional sentences type one. (More on conditional sentences here):
Example: "If I have enough time, I'll watch the film."
Things to remember:
1. We don't use the simple future to say what somebody has already decided or arranged to do in the future. We use instead either the present continuous or "going to + verb" (Future plan) :
Ann is traveling to New York next week. (NOT, "Ann will travel ")
Are you going to watch television? (NOT "will you watch").
2. You can use shall instead of will for I and we:
I shall play football.(Or, I will play ...)
We shall play football. (Or, we will play ...)
3. 'll is the short form of will. You can say either:
I will go, or
I 'll go.
4. Won't is the short form of will not. You can say either:
I will not go, or
I won't go.
