Simple Future Tense

The Simple Future Tense, also known as the Future Indefinite Tense, is used to express actions or states that will occur after the present moment. It is essential for talking about future plans, predictions, promises, or assumptions. Forming the simple future is straightforward, relying on the auxiliary verb “will” (or sometimes “shall”) followed by the base form of the verb.

What is Simple Future Tense?

The Simple Future Tense describes an action that will happen later — tomorrow, next week, or anytime in the future.

• I will travel to Lahore.
•  She will write a story.

The tense expresses future actions clearly and doesn’t require a specific time reference, making it flexible for various contexts.

Structure of Simple Future Tense

Positive Form (+)

The basic structure for positive statements is:

• Subject + will/shall + base verb

Example:

• I will study for my exam tomorrow.
• They will visit the museum next week.

Both sentences indicate actions that will occur in the future.

Negative Form (-)

To form negative sentences, insert “not” after “will” or “shall”:

• Subject + will/shall + not + base verb

Example:

• He will not eat fast food.
• They will not attend the meeting.

These forms show that the actions will not happen in the future.

Interrogative Form (?)

For questions, invert the subject and “will”:

• Will/shall + subject + base verb?

For example:

• Will you come to the party?
• Shall we meet at the café?

These structures are used to ask about future actions.

Using “Will” and “Shall”

“Will” is most commonly used with all subjects (I, you, he, she, it, we, they).

• • I will call you tomorrow.
  • They will finish their work by noon.

“Shall” is less common and typically used with “I” and “we” in more formal or traditional contexts.

• • We shall discuss this later.
  • Shall we meet at the café?

Time Expressions for Simple Future Tense

The Simple Future is often used with specific time expressions that indicate when the action will take place. These include:

When to Use Simple Future Tense

1. Expressing Future Actions
   The most common use of the Simple Future Tense is to describe actions or events that will occur at some point in the future.

• She will graduate next year.

1. Making Predictions
   It is used to predict or assume something about the future.

• It will rain tomorrow.

1. Intentions and Plans
   The tense expresses future plans or intentions made at the moment of speaking.

• I will start a new project next month.

1. Promises and Offers
   It is also used for promises or offers made spontaneously.

• I will help you with your homework.

1. Asking for Information
   Use it to ask about future actions or events.

• Will you attend the meeting tomorrow?

1. Expressing Conditions
   It can be used in conditional sentences to describe future outcomes.

• If it rains, we will stay indoors.

Rules of Future Indefinite Tense

1. Formation:
   Use “will” or “shall” + base form of the verb to express future actions.

• He will visit his grandmother tomorrow.

1. Negative Form:
   To form negatives, place “not” after “will” or “shall”.

• She will not attend the party.

1. Interrogative Form:
   For questions, invert “will” or “shall” with the subject.

• Will you help me with the project?

1. Use with Time Expressions:
   Time expressions such as tomorrow, next week, or in the future often accompany the Simple Future Tense to provide clarity about when the action will take place.

• They will visit us next summer.

Simple Future vs Present Simple Tense

Aspect	Simple Future Tense	Present Simple Tense
Definition	Describes an action that will happen in the future.	Describes regular, habitual actions or general truths.
Structure	Subject + will + base verb	Subject + base verb / verb + s/es
Example	Maryam will travel to Dubai next month. ✅	Maryam travels to school every day. ✅
Time Reference	Future events or decisions	Daily routines or facts
Signal Words	tomorrow, soon, later, next week	always, usually, every day, never

Examples of Simple Future Tense

✅ Affirmative

• Bilal will visit his grandmother.
• We will go to the masjid at Maghrib.
• They will start the project soon.
• I will read Surah Al-Kahf on Friday.
• Hamza will bring the books tomorrow.

❌ Negative

• I won’t forget your kindness.
• She will not join the class today.
• They won’t come to the party.
• We won’t accept the offer.
• Amina will not wait much longer.

❓ Interrogative

• Will you help me with this work?
• Will she buy the dress?
• Will they visit Madinah?
• Will I pass the test?
• Will he complete the task?

Common Mistakes and Corrections

• He will goes to school. ❌
• He will go to school. ✅

• I will to study tonight. ❌
• I will study tonight. ✅

• Will comes she today? ❌
• Will she come today? ✅

• They will not to play. ❌
• They will not play. ✅

• Will you are helping me? ❌
• Will you help me? ✅

Practice Exercise

Fill in the blanks:

1. I ______ (buy) a new bag.
2. ______ they ______ (attend) the event?
3. She ______ (not come) tomorrow.
4. We ______ (finish) the task soon.
5. ______ you ______ (help) me?

Answers:

1. will buy
2. Will, attend
3. will not come
4. will finish
5. Will, help

FAQs

Read More

• Simple Past Tense
• Simple Present Tense
• Future Continuous Tense
• Future Perfect Continuous Tense
• 12 English Tense