Simple Future Tense | English Grammar

SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE

Introduction to simple future tense

As the name suggests, simple future tense is the most basic form of future tense. It describes an action that has not happened yet. The action will take place in the future.

For example,

• Samantha will take the car to school tomorrow.
• Lyla will cook dinner for us tonight.
• Joey is going to bring us some books to read.
• Helen and Jacob are going to host a party at the coming weekend.

All the actions in the sentences above have not taken place yet and are expected to happen.

To be verbs:

Verb “to be” describes the condition of people, things, places and ideas. There are many forms of this specific verb. That is; am, are, is, was, were, been and being; based on the subject and the tense of the verb.

How to form sentences in simple future tense:

Forming sentences in simple future tense is probably the easiest of all the other tenses. We only use the base form of a verb in simple future tense, regardless of the subject.

How to make positive sentences in Simple Future Tense?

The following format is followed for making an affirmative sentence in simple future tense:

Subject + will + Base form of verb + object (if any)

For example,

• Kelly will go to the library this afternoon.
• Sean will leave the job as soon as he gets another one.
• Rose and Lyla will forget about what Noah said one day.
• We will collect charity money to help the orphans.

The following format is followed to make an affirmative sentence in simple future tense for “to be” verbs (am, are, is).

Subject + to be verb + going to + base form of verb + object (if any)

For example,

• I am going to join the club tomorrow.
• We are going to get good grades this year.
• Paul is going to Turkey next month.
• Joanna is going to bake a cake on my birthday.
• Lisa and Ali are going to book the tickets for the concert.

All the examples above show actions that are expected in the future.

How to make negative sentences in Simple Present Tense?

In order to make negative sentences in simple future tense, we follow the following format.

Subject + will not/won’t + base form of verb + object (if any)

For example,

• Elizabeth will not sing at Joshua’s party tonight.
• I will not let anyone hurt my family, for as long as I live.
• Lisa and Leena will not allow anyone to break the bond that they have.
• Samantha will not continue the medicine she was prescribed.

The following format is followed to make negative sentences in simple future tense for “to be” verbs (am, are, is).

Subject + to be verb + not + going to + base form of verb + object (if any)

For example,

• I am not going to London in the near future.
• Liam is not going to love what Fiona said about him.
• Miley and Justin are not going to buy the shares of Sienna’s company.

How to ask questions in Simple Future Tense?

In order to ask questions in simple future tense, we follow the following format.

Will + subject + base form of verb + object (if any)

For example,

• Will Joseph borrow Elisa’s notes for the exam?
• Will I get to know about computers too someday?
• Will you jump out of the window or fight if you see a ghost?

The following format is followed in order to ask questions in simple future tense for “to be” verbs (am, are, is).

To be verb + subject + going to + object (if any)

For example,

• Am I going to leave the house with you?
• Are we going to get the puppy today?
• Is Leane going to complete her studies in France?
• Are Sam and Kate going to work on the project together?