Future Simple – Formula, Examples & Practice

Tenses are fundamental to effective communication, as they allow us to convey when actions occur within the framework of language rules. Among these, the future simple tense plays a vital role in English, helping us articulate intentions, predictions, and events that are yet to happen. We will delve into the structure and application of this future tense by thorough explanations and helpful examples.

Definition: Future simple

The future simple (also: simple future) tense is a verb tense used to describe actions or events that are expected to happen at a time later than right now. It is one of the basic tenses in English, along with present simple and past simple. It is often used to express intentions, predictions, promises, offers, or spontaneous decisions that are made at the moment of speaking. As with the present perfect, an auxiliary verb is needed with this tense.

Formula of future simple active voice

The future simple is formed with the help of the auxiliary verb “will” followed by the base form (or infinitive) of the main verb. The structure is consistent across all subjects and pronouns, making its form quite simple since one doesn’t need to take subject-verb-agreement into account.

With the simple future, contractions can be used, especially in speech. We have provided a table depicting the shortened future simple forms for each pronoun, along with simple future’s one exception and the negative will-form.

To further your understanding, there are more examples of future simple in active voice below.

Will or shall

In modern English, the usage of “will” in the future simple tense is preferred to the archaic “shall.” “Shall” is traditionally used with “I” and “we” or in literary or poetic speeches or texts. In British English, “shall” is sometimes used for making offers, suggestions, or asking for advice. However, as with American English, its use is declining due to its formality and can be easily replaced with “should.” Below are numerous examples of the use of “shall” in proper sentences.

Active question form of future simple

To form questions in the future simple tense, we adjust the sentence structure by moving the helper verb “will” to the front of the sentence, while the verb remains in its base form.

Questions with question words

For questions with added question words in future simple, just add the fitting question word before “will.”

Negative questions with question words

Since this future tense is called “future simple,” the “simple” stays simple throughout all active forms, as seen in the examples below.

Below, we have created an illustration depicting the structures of the future simple tense in active voice.

Formula of future simple passive voice

Now that we have finished going through the active voice of future simple in the previous paragraphs, we can now delve into the form of its passive voice. It is formed by using “be” and the past participle (3^rd past form) of the main verb. Similarly to other tenses, if people are involved in the passive future simple tense, we use the “by” agent to indicate the doer of the action. The object of an active future simple sentence turns into the subject of the passive sentence.

A summary for future simple in passive voice can be found below.

Indicators and usage of future simple

The future simple tense is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that enables speakers to express future actions and predictions with ease. As with other tenses, time expressions make it easier for native English speakers and English learners to identify. Future simple’s situational uses and indicators can be found below.

This tense is often used to make predictions based on evidence of opinions.

Simple future is used for decisions made at the moment of speaking.

The tense is also used to make promises or offers.

While less common, the future simple can be used to express intentions, although the “going to” form is more frequently used for this purpose.

It can be used to discuss events that are planned or scheduled in the future.

Common time expressions that often accompany the future simple tense include:

• Tomorrow
• Next week/month/year
• In the future
• Soon
• Later

Short answers in future simple

Short answers in the future simple tense are concise responses that either confirm or deny the occurrence of future action. They consist of a “yes” or “no” answer, followed by the subject and the auxiliary verb “will.”

Active voice

Passive voice

“Will” future vs. “going to” future

Another way to indicate that something will happen and end in the future is by using the “going to” future. It is formed by using the following formula:

Although both “will” and “going to” forms elaborate on the future, there is a distinction that is important to know for academic writing. While the “will” future is used for spontaneous decisions, predictions, promises, and offers, the “going to” future is specifically used for planned actions and predictions based on present evidence or logical deduction.

Practice exercise

The practice sentences below cover various aspects of the future simple tense, including both active and passive forms, as well as interrogative and negative structures. On the second tab, you will find the correct conjugations of the English verbs. Have fun!