The Simple Future Tense in English

The Simple Future Tense (in English, The Simple Future Tense) is used to express an action decided at the time of speaking or a subjective prediction of the speaker. So, what's special about the simple future tense in English, and what do you need to pay attention to when using this tense? Let's find out in the article below with Mytour!

The Simple Future Tense in English
 

1. How to Use the Simple Future Tense

As its name suggests, the simple future tense expresses an action or event that will occur in the future from the subjective perspective of the speaker; moreover, it also serves several other functions such as:
- Expressing an intention, a spontaneous decision at the time of speaking
Ex: I will go with you to the Mytour's office.
- Expressing a subjective prediction without basis

Ex: I think that she will pass the entrance exam to the university.
- Expressing a promise, a request, an invitation, or a suggestion
Ex: I promise that I will come to the party.
- Used in type 1 conditional sentences to express an action or event that may occur in the present or future
Ex: If you don't prepare carefully, you will not pass the interview to become an editor at Mytour.
- Expressing a warning or threat
Ex: Work hard, or you will be fired.
- Providing suggestions or offers of assistance (often used with 'Shall')
Ex: Shall I do this for you?
 

2. Structure of the Simple Future Tense

The simple future tense in English has two auxiliary verbs, 'will' and 'shall'. However, in modern English, 'will' is more commonly used and nearly in all cases. 'Shall' is primarily used to offer assistance or suggestions. The structure of the simple future tense is as follows:
- Affirmative: S + will + V
- Negative: S + will + not + V (the contracted form of will not is won't)
- Interrogative: Will + S + V?
Ex: I will come here tomorrow.
I will not come here tomorrow.
Will you come here tomorrow?
 

3. Signs of Recognizing the Simple Future Tense

The best way to recognize tenses in English is to rely on time adverbs, and the simple future tense is no exception. Sentences using the simple future tense often have time adverbs such as:
- In + time: within a specified duration (in 10 minutes: within 10 minutes)
- Tomorrow: the following day
- Next day, next week, next month, next year: the following day, week, month, year
- In the future: in the future
- As soon as: immediately after
- Until: until
- When: when
- Someday/ one day: someday
- From now on: starting from now
Moreover, when the sentence contains opinion adverbs like 'think, suppose, believe, promise, perhaps, probably, ....' we also use the simple future tense.
 

4. Exercises for the Simple Future Tense

Although simple, without careful practice, you may easily confuse the simple future tense with other tenses, such as the future continuous tense for instance. Below, Mytour has provided some exercises to help you hone and master the knowledge related to this tense.

Above is a compilation of knowledge related to the simple future tense in English. With these insights, it is hoped that you will be able to proficiently use the simple future tense both in communication and academic research. Explore further about the Future Perfect Tense in English as well as the Simple Past Tense here.