English grammar contains several possible forms of using verbs in the future tense. Each of them has its own construction laws and use cases. First, we will get acquainted with them separately, and then we will reduce all the ways of expressing the future tense in English into one common table.
Simple
The first category is used to designate actions that are expected to be performed in any time period. In other words, this case is suitable for phrases: “I will do it tomorrow”, “I promise to do it later”, “I will do my homework tomorrow, and then I will play”, or if we make a decision right at the moment of the conversation.
The simple future form is formed by adding an auxiliary verb will(in 1st person also used shall) to the predicate of the sentence in the form of an infinitive (without to). In writing, these combinations are often abbreviated to construction "pronoun +'ll».
We (1) + will (2) + go (3) + onholiday thissummer (4) – We're going on vacation this summer.
To turn a statement into a question, all you need to do is swap the subject with the word will/shall. Interrogative sentences in Future Simple can be schematically represented as follows:
Will (1) you (2) go (3) onholidaythissummer (4)? – Are you going on vacation this summer??
To create a negation, you need to add a particle to the verb will / shall not. In abbreviated form, the structure looks like this: won't /shan't. Consider how the simple future is expressed in all types of sentences.
Continuous
The future tense in English can have the so-called continuous form, that is, we are talking about an action, the process of which will take place at a specific moment in the future time. Such constructions are called Future Continuous. Their education is similar to the previous group, only will is added to be, and the predicate of these sentences is the participle form I.
Mike (1) will (2) be (3) stillsleeping (4) whenIcome (5) – Mike will still be sleeping when I arrive..
Sometimes there are sentences in which the circumstance of time comes first, and after it follows the standard scheme: In a week we'llbecelebratingmybrother'sbirthday (A week later we will celebrate my brother's birthday).
Questions in the future continuous are also built on the principle of making will in the first place, only between the subject and the predicate wedged be.
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Will (1) Mike (2) be (3) sleeping (4) whenyoucome(5) ? Will Mike be sleeping when you come?
To create a negative form is still used not. Let's explore the options.
| + | ? | — |
| Their friends will be watching the football match tonight. | Will their friends be watching football match tonight? | Their friends won't be watching the football match tonight. |
| Their friends will be watching a football match tonight. | Will their friends watch the football match tonight? | Their friends won't be watching football tonight. |
| I' ll be still working at 6 o'clock. | Will you be still working at 6 o'clock? | I won't be working at 6 o'clock. |
| I will still be working at 6 o'clock. | Will you still be working at 6 o'clock? | I will not work at 6 o'clock. |
Perfect / Ending (Perfect / Perfect Continuous)
This group always causes difficulties, since many often do not distinguish between the meanings of these structures. Fortunately, such combinations in English are very rare. But it is still necessary to be able to understand them.
Verbs can take the Future Perfect form when the speaker plans to complete some action by the exact time specified. In this case, the construction, in addition to will and the predicate, contains another verb - have.
I(1) shall (2) have(3) painted (4) the picture by 3 o'clock (5) – Ifinishpaintpicturetothreehours.
The negation of sentences for the future perfect tense is built using not, and to create a clarifying question, it is necessary to put will in front, and after it the subject, have, predicate, etc.
Will (1) you(2) have (3)painted (4) the picture by 3 o'clock (5) ? – Youfinish drawingthispicturetothreehours?
As we have already noted, when studying English, it is practically not necessary to meet the future tense called Future Perfect Continuous. Therefore, we only note that its constructions largely coincide with the tenses given above, but between have and the predicate is inserted been. According to the meaning of the difference between these times, the use of Perfect shows the completion of the action, and the use of Perfect Continuous indicates that the action has already been going on for some time and will still continue when a certain moment comes.
I (1) shall (2) have (3) been (4) painting (5) thepicturefor3 monthsbyOctober (6) – In November it will be 3 months since I paint this picture (and it is still not completed).
Let's consider a possible expression of the future in given times using specific examples.
| + | ? | — |
| Jack says that he will have read this book by Friday. | Will Jack have read this book by Friday? | Jack won't have read this book by Friday. |
| Jack says that he will have read this book by Friday (finished reading it). | Will Jack have read this book by Friday? | Jack will not have read this book by Friday. |
| I will have been living in Prague for 10 years by next year. | Will you have been living in Prague for 10 years by next year? | I won't have been living in Prague for 10 years by next year. |
| Next year it will be 10 years since I have lived in Prague (and will continue to live there). | Next year it will be 10 years since you live in Prague? | Next year will not be 10 years since I live in Prague. |
Special cases
There are several other ways to talk about the future, although they do not grammatically belong to the above groups. We are talking about constructions to be going to and Future in Past, which can also express the future tense in English.
Other English topics: Past tense in English: learning to perceive the past in English
The turn to be going to + the infinitive is used in situations where there are specific plans for the near future, i.e. the speaker is determined to do it at the first opportunity.
Jane (1) is (2) goingto (3) tell (4) herparentsthetruth – Jane is going (intends) to tell her parents the truth.
It is important to note that go, come cannot be used as a predicate in this construction. Following this rule, they are used only in the simple present tense.
Combination " The future is in the past”, as the name implies, is used when talking about long-past events. It can be translated by the phrase: would have done, should have, etc. In general, these are relative clauses of a conditional nature. To use this construction, you need to take any sentence of the Future tenses group, and replace in it will on the would.
Future tense in English in tables
This generalized table will help you remember new material faster.
| Future | |||
| + | ? | — | |
| Simple | Subject + will + inf. She will write… |
Will + Subject + inf. Will he speak…? |
Will + not + subject + inf. We won't work... |
| Continuous | Subject + will + be + adverb I I will be telling… |
Will + Subject + be + adverb I Will they be watching…? |
Subject + will + not + be + adverb I You won't be washing… |
| Perfect | Subject + will + have + part II We will have finished… |
Will + Subject + have + part II Will you have painted…? |
Subject + will + have + not + adverb II He won't have typed… |
| Perfect Continuous | Subject + will + have + been + adverb I I will have been living… |
Will + subject + have + been + adverb I Will we have been standing…? |
Subject + will + not + have + been + adverb I They won't have been spending… |
| To be going to | |||
|
A special case |
Subject + to be + going to + inf. We are going to learn… |
To be + subject + going to + inf. Are you going to run…? |
Subject + to be + not + going to + inf. She isn't going to lie... |
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Hello, hello, my good ones.
Today we will talk about a rather simple thing - about the time of Future Simple. Surely this time can be called one of your favorites. That's why it's simple. We are waiting for rules and examples, exercises and a test, as well as a lot of interesting and useful information.
How is formed
Future Simple is not at all picky in its education. But still, let's analyze in detail all the forms. The general rule looks like this:
Subject + will + predicate + object and circumstance.
In reality, there is another auxiliary verb (besides will), with the help of which the future tense is formed. It - shall. But it is now used extremely rarely, so we will not consider it here.
We will visit you next summer. We will visit you next summer.
The negative form is formed with the particle not.
And to form an interrogative sentence, you will have to move will to the very beginning of the sentence.
Great, now we know the whole order of education. It's time to find out when we can use it.
When used: beginner level
In English, this is the easiest tense. Everything is pretty clear, but there are many cases of use. And it is desirable to remember all of them.
- When we talk about an ordinary action in the future that happened once.
I will meet you at the main entrance. - I'll meet you at the main entrance.
- When the action will be repeated in the future.
We will see each other every winter. - We will see each other every winter.
- When during a conversation we make a decision about the future.
Ok, I will vote for your idea at the meeting. - Okay, I'll vote for your idea at the meeting.
When used: professional level
But still there are special use cases for Future Simple.
- When it comes to future facts.
The shop will open in August. - The store will open in August.
- When it comes to an offer.
I will help you with this project presentation. - I will help you with the presentation of this project.
- Promises, requests and denials.
I promise you will get this job. - I promise you will get this job.
Will you bring the book you told me about? Will you bring me the book you were talking about?
Sorry, I won't help you. I have to work with my department statement. - I'm sorry, I can't help you. I have to work on my department's report.
! It is very important to remember that usually after if (if) in 99% of cases will is not put. For example:
If you go, I will go with you. - If you go, I will go with you.
But let's look at another sentence:
Mother asks me if I will go to the prom. Mom asks me if I will go to the ball.
You may have already noticed that if (and sometimes whether) is translated here as " whether', not 'if'. An indirect question does not require a change in word order and a question mark at the end. Therefore, all the words in this sentence are correct and very necessary.
Let's see some more examples:
Tom is wondering whether I will help him with his homework. Tom is worried if I will help him with his homework.
If you help me with my project, we will go to the theatre. - If you help me with my project, we will go to the theatre.
Hope you feel the difference. Now let's see how else we can talk about the future.
More ways to talk about the future
- To be going to.
Sometimes, instead of the standard future tense, we decide to use to be going to. This happens when it comes to assumptions and intentions based on current events.
Look, Sarah is going to jump from the cliff to the sea. - Look, Sarah is going to jump off a cliff into the sea.
I am going to study at the University of Michigan. - I'm going to study at the University of Michigan.
- present continuous.
You can use the present instead of the future when you talk about plans and intentions.
I am seeing Laney tomorrow morning. - Tomorrow morning I meet in Laney.
She is asking for a pay rise tomorrow. Tomorrow she will ask for a pay rise.
Without practice, no future - and time, and not for you as well - does not shine. Therefore, I have ahead of me that will help you consolidate your new English grammar skill. And also, which is interesting to test your knowledge.
In the meantime, I'm going to prepare new interesting materials for you.
See you soon, my dears.
P.S. And in order not to miss these newest materials - subscribe to the blog newsletter. I promise - there will be a lot of interesting and useful.
Despite the relative simplicity of the formation of forms, there are many misconceptions associated with the time of the Future Simple. When we hear "future action", what immediately comes to mind is will, i.e. Future Simple . Therefore, many tend to think that will can pass any action in the future. This is not true. And those who have studied English for a long time still habitually use shall. Today we will dwell on the use of Future Simple tense and debunk all misconceptions.
Form and education
Unlike the rest of the tenses of the English language, in the Future Simple nothing ever changes depending on the gender and number.
The form is unchanged: WILL + V1 (verb in the first form):
The interrogative form is formed by placing the auxiliary verb will before the subject:
|
answer this e-mail? accept an offer? |
Remember that multiple words can refer to the subject, and will comes before the first of them:
His best friend will arrive tomorrow. - WILL his best friend arrive tomorrow?
Consider the cases of using Future Simple in English.
- Simple actions and facts in the future (Simple actions and facts in the future):
- Recurring actions in the future (Repeated actions in the future):
In autumn I will go to school every day. In autumn I will go to school every day.
Using SHALL
Shall, according to the traditional rule of the English language, along with will is an auxiliary tense of the Future Simple and is used with the first person forms (I, we) . In modern English, shall is almost never used as an auxiliary verb, and if someone does use it, it sounds archaic and very formal. The trend towards simplification of the language and the ubiquitous use of the abbreviation "ll" has led to the fact that will has supplanted shall .
Although shall is no longer the accepted norm as an auxiliary verb, it is used as modal verb, performing its special functions:
- Offers
An offer is when you offer to do something for someone:
Shall I help you? - Can I help you?
Shall I repeat it? - Shall I repeat?
- Suggestions
suggestion(as opposed to offer) - a proposal for joint activities. Shall we... ? serves as an alternative Let's :
Shall we go out for a meal in the evening? - Let's go eat somewhere tonight?
Our communities in
Education Future Simple
(shall/will + infinitive without to)
Future Simple (Future Indefinite) formed with the help shall or will and the infinitive of the main verb without the to particle. Shall- for 1 person singular or plural and will- for 2nd and 3rd person singular or plural, for example I shall go/ He will go. In modern English, the auxiliary verb will used in all faces.
| affirmative form | negative form | Interrogative form | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | shall/will work | I | shall/will not work | Shall/Will | I | work? |
| he she it |
will work | he she it |
will not work | Will | he she it |
|
| we | shall/will work | we | shall/will not work | Shall/Will | we | |
| you they |
will work | you they |
will not work | Will | you they |
|
Abbreviated forms:
'll= shall/will
'll not= shall not/will not
shan't= shall not
won't= will not
Using the Future Simple
1. A single or repeated action that will happen in the future ( tomorrow - tomorrow, the day after tomorrow - the day after tomorrow, tonight - tonight, next year / month / week - next year / month, next week, in ... days - after ... days).
Examples: The weather will be unpredictable next week. The weather will be unpredictable next week.
We shall not go to the Zoo tomorrow. We will not go to the zoo tomorrow.
He won't go there. He won't go there.
2. Action with probability value ( probably - probably, perhaps - maybe, certainly - undoubtedly).
Examples: Perhaps I' ll see him tomorrow. “Perhaps I will meet him tomorrow.
3. Expression of actions when the decision to perform it is made at the moment of speech.
Examples: Would you like something to drink? – I’ ll have mineral water. - What will you drink? - I'll have mineral water.
4. The main function of auxiliary verbs shall/will- indicate the future tense, they are never used as independent verbs in the meaning I will, will. For these purposes, in English there is a verb to be.
Examples: He will be at the meeting at 7 o'clock. - He will be at the meeting at 7 o'clock.
5. Future Simple (Future Indefinite) is not used in. In this case, is used.
Examples: I' ll show her these papers when she comes. I will show her these documents when she returns.
Note. Future action can also be expressed.
To make plans and assumptions in English, you need to learn the future tense. Unlike the Russian speakers, the inhabitants of the "foggy Albion" are more picky in this matter. So, you want to know all the secrets of Future Simple?
The Simple (Indefinite) group includes three main tenses: Present Simple, Past Simple and Future Simple Tense. All of them differ in frequency of use, ease of construction and use. Let's start with folk wisdom: "If you want to make God laugh, tell us about your plans." It is very difficult to know something for sure, but to assume, to dream, is just very necessary. This role in English is performed by Future Simple (Indefinite).
Education
Without the participation of auxiliary verbs, not a single tense can fully exist. So it is in this case. Reflect future action help will/ shall, the first of which is used with the subjects You, she, he, it, they, and the second - I, we. This rule has existed for many centuries. But the modern fashion for simplification gives us indulgence, and today it is allowed will with all faces. But the second auxiliary verb is increasingly used as a modal. Although classical grammar adheres to the first option. There is no change to the verb infinitive without to: S + will/shall + V.
More commonly used in colloquial speech abbreviated forms:
I shall=I'll, You will =you'll, she will =she'll
Will not = won't, shall not = shan't
Use
The rules for Future Simple (Indefinite) are very specific, as are the use cases that are easy to understand.
1. When we express simple action in the future or several consecutive the time frame is vague, then the Future Simple is used.
She will be at home in a few minutes. She will be home in a few minutes.
The day will become shorter soon. The day will soon get shorter.
My mother will vistit a doctor tomorrow, and after then she will go home. - Tomorrow mom will go to the doctor, and after that - home.
2. Also in the case of verbs and adverbs think, believe, to be sure, probably, perhaps, certanly, imagine, expect, be afraid of, hope, who say that we we assume, we think, we express our ideas and thoughts regarding future events, but the information is not accurate: it may be so, or maybe vice versa.
I am sure you will enjoy your flight. I am sure you will enjoy the flight.
They hope she will get a job. They hope she gets a job.
I'm afraid Mr Brown won't wait for you. “I'm afraid Mr. Brown won't be waiting for you.
3. For expression momentary, spontaneous action that arose on the go , during a conversation, and we immediately want to execute it, it is also necessary to use the Future Simple form (important: unplanned).
I am too tired to go on foot. I'll take a taxi. — I'm too tired to walk. I'll take a taxi.
look. You have left the door open. I'll go and shut it. - Look. You left the door open. I'll go and close.
4. Threat, request, promise, advice, offer The English use the simple future tense.
I'll not tell anyone your secret, I promise. I promise I won't tell anyone your secret.
Will you get me a paper while you are out? - Could you give me the documents while you are away?
5. A separate line can be displayed subordinate clauses of condition and time, in the dependent part of which the future tense cannot be used under any circumstances (the present is used instead). Although the Russian version says otherwise. But be careful not to fall for this trick.
As soon as he passes the exams, he will go to the camp. As soon as he passes his exams, he will go to the camp.
If you visit this place one time, you will return there one more. If you visit this place at least once, you will definitely come back again.
The future simple tense, like any other, has its own signal words, which sometimes help to recognize it in context: tomorrow (tomorrow), next month (next month), next year (next year), in a week (in a week), in a month (in a month), the day afrer tomorrow (the day after tomorrow), soon (soon).
Time Comparison
After reading the cases of use, the general picture seemed to be outlined. But when performing exercises or various tests, confusion again arises. After all, Future Simple is often confused not only with future tenses, but also with the present. And all because of the discrepancy between the Russian form and the English one. The table will help you to place accents in all cases.
Future Simple |
Future Continuous |
Future Perfect |
Present Continuous |
present simple |
| Assumed action in the future, without clear time limits | Planned action in the future, time frame clearly stated | An action that will be completed in the future at a certain time | Planned action for the near future, structure to be going to (gather) | Action in the future according to a schedule, according to a time set by someone |
| I will wait for him tomorrow. | I will be waiting for him at 6 oclock tomorrow. | I will have waited for him by 7 o'clock. | I am going to visit my granny. | The train leaves at 7. |
| I will be waiting for him tomorrow. | I will be waiting for him at 6 o'clock tomorrow. | I will wait for him until 7 o'clock. | I'm going to visit my grandmother. I'm waiting (I'll be waiting) for him tonight. | The train leaves at 7. |
Passive Voice
Future Indefinite Tense also has a passive form. So, all cases of use remain the same, education changes a little.
will \ shall + be + V ed (V 2)
The letter will be sent next week. The letter will be sent next week.
He will be called the best pupil tomorrow. Tomorrow he will be named the best student.
As you can see, there is nothing complicated here. That's why it's called simple. Future Indefinite (Simple) can be called the usual future tense, familiar to a Russian speaker. Features such as uncertainty, fuzziness of the period or time of the event clearly distinguish this time from others.
