Future Simple Tense
form, uses, timeline
Future Simple tense uses are to talk about actions that are to happen at a time after now. Find explanations of the Future Simple Tense form, uses, timeline below.
TO FORM THE FUTURE SIMPLE
The Future Simple tense is formed using:
– modal auxiliary will (or shall *)
– verb base
* traditionally shall was used in the affirmative form for the first person singular and plural (‘I’ and ‘we’). This has become less common in recent times. Shall continues to be used to form questions.
affirmative: subject + will + verb base
negative: subject + will + not + verb base
question: will + subject + verb base
negative question: will + subject + not + verb base
Forms for the verb to clean
affirmative
I shall / will clean
you will clean
he/she/it will clean
we will clean
you will clean
they will clean
negative
I shall / will not clean
you will not clean
he/she/it will not clean
we will not clean
you will not clean
they will not clean
questions
shall I clean?
will you clean?
will he/she/it clean?
shall we clean?
will you clean?
will they clean?
negative questions
shall I not clean?
will you not clean?
will he/she/it not clean?
shall we not clean?
will you not clean?
will they not clean?
FUTURE SIMPLE TENSE USES
to express a situation or intention in the future
I will go to work tomorrow.
James will repair the car himself.
Won’t the cake burn if you leave it in any longer?
to make a prediction
By 2050 we will have flying cars.
The new perfume smells so good it will sell out quickly.
to express willingness / unwillingness to do something
I’ll do the washing up
We will never eat at that restaurant again.
to make promises or threats
I’ll come over at 8 p.m.
I’ll tell on you.
when making a spontaneous decision
I’ll go to the shop
in the interrogative to make a suggestion or offer
Shall we go to France for the weekend?
Will you marry me?
in the interrogative to ask for help
Will you help me find my wallet please?
CONTRACTED AUXILIARY VERBS
Auxiliary verbs are often contracted, especially in spoken and informal written language
| I will | I’ll |
| you will | you’ll |
| he/she/it will | he’ll |
| we will | we’ll |
| you will | you’ll |
| they will | they’ll |
| I will | I’ll |
| you will | you’ll |
| he/she/it will | he’ll |
| we will | we’ll |
| you will | you’ll |
| they will | they’ll |
| I will | I’ll |
| you will | you’ll |
| he/she/it will | he’ll |
| we will | we’ll |
| you will | you’ll |
| they will | they’ll |
More on contracted auxiliary verbs
Future Simple Tense form, uses, timeline