Are you going to the Lakshadweep islands for the summer holidays? Don’t you want to share every little detail about what you would be doing for your vacation? Learn everything you need to know about the simple future tense – the meaning, definition, formula, structure, rules and uses along with examples to help you have a clear idea of the topic. Also, try working on the practice questions to further check your understanding of the same.
Table of Contents
- The Simple Future Tense – What Is It?
- Structure and Formula of the Simple Future Tense
- Rules and Points to Remember When Using the Simple Future Tense
- What Do You Use the Simple Future Tense For?
- Forming the Simple Future Tense – Examples
- Test Your Understanding of the Simple Future Tense
- Frequently Asked Questions on the Simple Future Tense
The Simple Future Tense – What Is It?
The simple future tense is a tense that is used to represent an action that takes place in the future. One fact that you should keep in mind is that a simple future tense action starts and finishes in the future itself.
Check out the following definitions provided by various dictionaries to have a better idea of what the simple future tense is.
Definition of the Simple Future Tense
The simple future tense, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “the form of a verb that expresses what will happen after the present.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the simple future tense as “a verb tense that is used to refer to the future.” “A tense of verbs used when the action or event described is to occur after the time of utterance”, is the definition of the simple future tense according to the Collins Dictionary. The Macmillan Dictionary defines the simple future tense as the tense that depicts actions or events “expected to exist or happen during the time following the present time.”
Structure and Formula of the Simple Future Tense
Let us look at the structure and formula of the simple future tense. First, take a look at the formula to find out how the simple future tense works.
The formula of the simple future tense is as follows:
| Subject + Helping verb (will) + base form of the verb + the rest of the sentence |
Now, try analysing the structure of the simple future tense and how the sentence structure changes when used in the positive, negative, interrogative and negative interrogative format.
| Positive | Negative | Interrogative | Negative Interrogative |
| Subject + Helping verb (will) + Base form of the verb + the rest of the sentence | Subject + Will not/Won’t + Base form of the verb + the rest of the sentence | Will + Subject + base form of the verb + the rest of the sentence | Will + Subject + not + Base form of the verb + the rest of the sentence
(or) Won’t + Subject + Base form of the verb + the rest of the sentence |
| For example: I will read the newspaper from tomorrow. | For example: I will not read the newspaper from tomorrow.
(or) I won’t read the newspaper from tomorrow. |
For example: Will I read the newspaper from tomorrow? | For example: Will I not read the newspaper from tomorrow?
(or) Won’t I read the newspaper from tomorrow? |
Another verb usage to represent the simple future tense is the ‘to be’ form of the verb along with ‘going to’. Take a look at the following table to understand how it works.
| Infinitive Verb | Positive | Negative |
| To check |
|
|
| To find |
|
|
| To meet |
|
|
Rules and Points to Remember When Using the Simple Future Tense
If you are planning to use the simple future tense, here are a few points that you have to keep in mind. The simple future tense form of the verb should always have two verbs – an auxiliary verb (will) and the base form of the verb. Interrogative sentences start with the helping verb ‘will’ followed by the subject and the base form of the main verb. A negative sentence can be identified by the usage of ‘not’ after the auxiliary verb ‘will’. Remember that the helping verb ‘will’ is what mainly indicates to the reader or listener that the tense used speaks about a future or event that is going to happen in the future.
What Do You Use the Simple Future Tense For?
Knowing all the situations in which the simple future tense can be used will allow you to use the tense effectively. Here is a glimpse of the various ways in which the simple future tense can be used.
- To represent events or actions that are about to take place in the near future.
- To make guesses or predictions about someone or something in the future.
- To state or express some factual statement about the future.
- To ask questions about something or someone doing something in the future.
- To think about future consequences, conditions or possibilities.
- To give orders or make commands as in imperative sentences.
Forming the Simple Future Tense – Examples
Look at the following examples and try to comprehend how the simple future tense can be used for the various uses as stated above.
Representing events or actions that are about to happen in the near future
- Danny and Sid will go to the gym in the evening.
- Agnes will be here in an hour.
Making guesses or predictions about the future
- The weather forecast said that there will be hail storms tomorrow.
- I guess the red curtain will look good for the backdrop.
Expressing a factual statement about the future
- The house they are looking for will cost them a fortune.
- The country will see a change in the weather next month like it has never before.
Asking questions about the future
- Will you be able to complete it in time?
- Won’t she be ready to give the chief guest address on the annual day?
Thinking about future consequences, possibilities or conditions
- Larry told me that he will be able to come to the party only if his sister agrees to drop him off at the venue.
- If she does not take this seriously, she will get into a lot of trouble.
Giving orders or commands
- You will have to submit all your assignments by Monday.
- You will need to provide all the supporting documents if you want the loan to be sanctioned as soon as possible.
Test Your Understanding of the Simple Future Tense
Fill in the blanks with the right form of the simple future tense in the following sentences:
1. Quinn __________ (sing) at the final auditions.
2. Madame Smith _________ (be) the judge for the cultural competitions.
3. _________ you __________ (finish – negative interrogative) writing the song before the event?
4. I don’t think he ____________ (enjoy) something like this.
5. Sandy had told me that it _____________ (rain – negative) today.
6. ________ Adharsh ____________ (visit) you or not?
7. Amal ____________ (arrive – negative) in time for the reception.
8. Santana _____________ (be) your partner for the dance.
9. Do you think it ____________ (matter) to them at all?
10. Abdul ____________ (give) you all the instructions regarding what should be done when you get here.
The answers to the above questions are given below. Find out if you got the answers right.
1. Quinn will sing at the final auditions.
2. Madame Smith will be the judge for the cultural competitions.
3. Won’t you finish writing the song before the event?
4. I don’t think he will enjoy something like this.
5. Sandy had told me that it will not rain today.
6. Will Adharsh visit you or not?
7. Amal will not arrive in time for the reception.
8. Santana will be your partner for the dance.
9. Do you think it will matter to them at all?
10. Abdul will give you all the instructions regarding what should be done when you get here.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Simple Future Tense
What is the simple future tense?
The simple future tense is a tense that is used to represent an action that takes place in the future. In this tense, the action starts and finishes in the future itself.
What is the definition of the simple future tense?
The simple future tense, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “the form of a verb that expresses what will happen after the present.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the simple future tense as “a verb tense that is used to refer to the future.” “A tense of verbs used when the action or event described is to occur after the time of utterance”, is the definition of the simple future tense according to the Collins Dictionary. The Macmillan Dictionary defines the simple future tense as the tense that depicts actions or events “expected to exist or happen during the time following the present time.”
What is the formula of the simple future tense?
The simple future tense can be easily understood and used with the help of the following formula:
Subject + Helping verb (will) + base form of the verb + the rest of the sentence
Give some examples of the simple future tense.
Given below are a few examples to show you how to use the simple future tense.
- Danny and Sid will go to the gym in the evening.
- The country will see a change in the weather next month like it has never before.
- You will need to provide all the supporting documents if you want the loan to be sanctioned as soon as possible.
- Larry told me that he will be able to come to the party only if his sister agrees to drop him off at the venue.
- I guess the red curtain will look good for the backdrop.
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