To make plans and guesses in English, you need to master the future tense. Unlike Russian speakers, residents of “Foggy Albion” are more picky in this matter. So, do 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 it is very necessary to assume and dream. This role in English is played by the Future Simple (Indefinite).
Education
Without the participation of auxiliary verbs, no time can fully exist. So it is in this case. Helps reflect future action 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 an indulgence, and today it is allowed will with all the faces. But the second auxiliary verb is increasingly used as a modal verb. Although classical grammar adheres to the first option. There are no changes 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 of the Future Simple (Indefinite) are very specific, as are the usages, which can be easily understood.
1. When we express simple action in the future or several consecutive, and the time frame is vague, the Future Simple is used.
She will be at home in a few minutes. — She'll be home in a few minutes.
The day will become shorter soon. — The days will soon become shorter.
My mother will visit a doctor tomorrow, and after then she will go home. - Tomorrow mom will go to the doctor, and after that she will go 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, think, 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'm 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 carry it out, 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 it.
4. Threat, request, promise, advice, offer The English express it in 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’re gone?
5. You can display in a separate line subordinate clauses of condition and time, in the dependent part of which the future tense cannot be used under any circumstances (the present tense is used instead). Although the Russian version says the opposite. 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 the 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, next month, next year, in a week, in a month, the day afrer tomorrow, soon.
Comparison of times
After reading the cases of use, a general picture seemed to emerge. But when performing exercises or various tests, confusion again arises. After all, the 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 place emphasis in all cases.
Future Simple |
Future Continuous |
Future Perfect |
Present Continuous |
Present Simple |
| Anticipated action in the future, without clear time boundaries | Planned action in the future with a clear time frame | An action that will be completed in the future by a specific moment | Planned action for the near future, structure to be going to (get together) | 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 o'clock tomorrow. | I will have waited for him by 7 o’clock. | I am going to visit my granny.I am waiting for him tonight. | The train leaves at 7. |
| I'll wait 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 (will be waiting) for him tonight. | The train leaves at 7. |
Passive Voice
Future Indefinite Tense also has a form in the passive voice. So, all cases of use remain the same, the 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 Russian speakers. Features such as uncertainty, vagueness of the period or time of an event clearly distinguish this time from others.
Here you can take a lesson on the topic: Future tense and the verb "will" in English. Future Simple Tense and "will".
In English there are several ways to express actions in the future tense. So, for example, using the phrase to be going to (plans and intentions), or using the Present Continuous tenses (pre-planned events) and Present Simple (schedules and programs).
However, the most important and meaningful way of expressing the future simple tense in English is the short word will, which is both the future form of the verb to be and one of the modal verbs.
The form of the verb will is quite simple, since it does not vary in numbers or persons, and is used with the usual infinitive. The meaning of the word will is more complex, which we will look at in this lesson, along with its use in various sentences and some distinctive features.
I. The first thing you should familiarize yourself with is conjugation of the verb will in affirmative, negative and interrogative form, using personal pronouns as an example. pay attention to possible reductions.
1. Below is the conjugation in affirmative, negative and interrogative forms:
(+)
I will (I"ll) - I will
You will (You"ll) - You will / You will
He will (He"ll) - He will
She will (She"ll) - She will
It will (It"ll) - He/She will (inanimate)
We will (We"ll) - We will
They will (They"ll) - They will
(-)
I will not (I won't) - I won't
You will not (You won't) - You won't / You won't
He will not (He won't) - He won't
She will not (She won't) - She won't
It will not (It won't) - He/She will not (inanimate)
We will not (We won't) - We won't
They will not (They won't) - They won't
(?)
Will I..? - Will I be..?
Will you..? - Will you..? / Will you..?
Will he..? - Will he..?
Will she..? - Will she..?
Will it..? - Will he/she..? (inanimate)
Will we..? - Will we..?
Will they..? - Will they..?
As can be seen from the examples, will does not change in any way, and this is quite convenient when composing sentences. The only noticeable changes are visible in the shortened negative form - won"t /"wəunt/.
2. Due to the fact that the verb will belongs to the modal group, he obeys many of the rules of this particular group. For example, after all modal verbs (except have to and need to) in sentences follows the infinitive(original form of the verb). For example:
He will call you tomorrow. - He will call you tomorrow.
I won't tell you her secret. - I won't tell you her secret.
Will she be back by next Sunday? -Yes, she will.
-No, she won't. - Will she be back by next Sunday? - Yes. - No.
Where will you stay during your holiday? - Where will you stay during your vacation?
The examples also show several features of interrogative sentences with the word will. First of all, these are short answers to general questions that must be repeat the verb will in affirmative and negative form. And the second feature is the ability to build special questions in the simple future tense with any question words (what, where, why, when, etc.) that are placed at the very beginning of the sentence.
II. The future tense verb will has many meanings. Let's consider each of them separately.
1. First of all, will, in contrast to the phrase to be going to, expresses spontaneous unplanned actions in the future. For example:
Fine, I"ll let you know when I"m free. - Okay, I'll let you know when I'm free.
- The phone is ringing. - I "ll answer it. - The phone rings. - I will answer.
I think, he will never call again. - I don't think he'll ever call again.
From the examples it is clear that these phrases express unplanned thoughts, i.e. that the speaker did not plan them in advance, but just decided. The last example also clearly demonstrates that instead of the particle not, the word never can be used to give a sentence a negative connotation.
2. The word will is often used in offers - promises. For example:
I will never leave you. - I'll never leave you.
It won't hurt, I promise. - It won't hurt, I promise.
3. Will is also used to express actions in the future that are inevitable. For example:
He will be far away at this time tomorrow. - He will be very far away by this time tomorrow.
I will turn 30 next September. - I will turn 30 next September.
4. One of the common uses of the word will is confident future forecasts and predictions. For example:
This card says that you"ll be happy with him. - This card says that you will be happy with him.
The weather won't change tomorrow. - The weather won't change tomorrow.
5. B the main part of conditional sentences of the first type the verb will is also often used. For example:
If it rains. I"ll wear a raincoat. - If it rains, I will put on a raincoat.
If you come with us, we"ll book a larger table. - If you come with us, we will reserve a larger table.
6. Will is also often used to express probable actions in future with expressions:
I think.., I hope.., I"m sure.., I"m afraid.., I promise.., possibly, probably, and some others. For example:
I think she will pass this exam. - I think she will pass this exam.
I promise that I"ll help you with your home task. - I promise I will help you with your homework.
I"m sure they"ll win. - I'm sure they will win.
I"m afraid he won"t come. - I'm afraid he won't come.
It"ll probably rain tonight. - It might rain tonight.
He'll possibly win this fight. - Perhaps he will win this fight.
III. In addition to the verb will, the modal verb shall is sometimes used to express the future simple tense. This is especially applicable to questions with shades of request (Request) or proposal
(Offer). For example:
Shall we dance? - Shall we dance?
Shall I make you some coffee? - Shall I make you some coffee?
Shall I see you tomorrow? - Will we see you tomorrow?
It is believed that in British English shall is used in ordinary affirmative sentences with the first person (I shall, We shall), however, these are slightly outdated expressions. Quite often the future simple tense with the verbs will and shall is used in For example:
English sayings.
Broken friendship may be soldered, but will never be sound. - A cracked friendship can be mended, but it will never be strong again.
No herb will cure love. - Love cannot be cured by any potions.
He that will eat the kernel must crack the nut. - Anyone who wants to eat nuts must crack them. / If you don’t crack the nut, you won’t eat the kernel.
We shall see what we shall see. - We'll see about that later./ It depends on how you look.
Many words will not fill a bushel. - You can’t fill a vessel with many words. / You won’t be full of conversations.
If the sky falls, we shall catch larks. - If the sky falls, we will catch larks./ If only, if only.
Hawks will not pick hawks" eyes. - A hawk will not peck out a hawk's eyes.
Not that will not when he may, when he will he shall have nay. - He who doesn’t want to when he can, won’t be able to when he wants to.
As the tree falls, so shall it lie. - As the tree falls, so will it lie./Where the tree leaned, that’s where it fell.
Thus, we became familiar with the future tense in English, as well as with the verbs of the future: will and shall. In addition, we looked at the form and place of the verb will in sentences, plus its many meanings. For a small charge, try to translate
the following sentences in English:
I think he will like this gift.
The weather will change for the better next week.
He promised that he would call me.
Can I help you with these heavy bags?
Can you help me?
If it's cold, I'll put on my warm coat.
I'm sure this team will win.
She probably won't come.
I'm afraid this won't help.
Where should we celebrate this Christmas?
The Future Simple (Indefinite) Tense (simple future tense) in English grammar used to express actions that will take place in the future.
This tense form of the verb in English is usually used with such adverbial words (marker words) as:
- tomorrow (tomorrow);
- next week/month/year (next week, next month, year);
- soon (soon);
- in two days (in two days);
- in 2020 (in 2020), etc.
Also, the Future Simple tense is used in subordinate clauses after introductory words denoting the speaker’s opinion:
- I think (I think);
- I believe (I believe);
- I hope (I hope);
- I suppose (I suppose), etc.;
- perhaps (perhaps);
- possibly (probably);
- probably (probably);
- surely (of course).
The affirmative form of verbs of the simple future tense in English is formed from the auxiliary verb shall (for the pronouns I and we) or will (for other personal pronouns and other subjects) and the stem of the infinitive of the semantic verb without the particle to, which follow the subject. For example:
- I shall come to you tomorrow.
- - I'll come to you tomorrow.
- We shall call him soon.
- - We'll call him soon. They will return next week.
- They will be back next week.
- The population of the Earth will increase in 2020.
- – In 2020, the world population will increase.
Separately, I would like to point out that the shortened form is also appropriate with verbs of the simple future tense: instead of the full forms shall and will, ‘ll can be used. For example:
- I shall – I’ll;
- she will – she’ll, etc. To form the negative form of verbs in the simple future tense, the negation not is placed after the auxiliary verbs shall and will. You can also use a shortened form of negatives, like shan’t [ʃa:nt] from shall not and won’t from will not. For example:
I shall not/shan’t do it.
- - I won't do this.
- Tom will not/won’t go to school tomorrow, he is ill. Tom won’t go to school tomorrow, he’s sick.
The interrogative form of verbs in the simple future tense is formed using the auxiliary verbs shall and will, which are placed before the subject. For example:
Shall I see them tomorrow?
- – Will I see them tomorrow?
- designation of an inevitable fact in the future. - He will be eleven next year.
- — He will be 11 next year; designation of predictions. — People will go to Mars in 2100.
- — People will fly to Mars in 2100;
- expression of a spontaneous decision. — I’ll answer the phone. — I will answer the call; expression of promises, threats, warnings, hopes. —
I promise I will bring back your book.
| Summary table of time formation The Future Simple Tense | Education The Future Simple Tense in sentences | Affirmative | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Negative | Interrogative | Negative | I | will speak | Negative | won't speak |
| Will | speak | Will | You | will work | won't work | |
| you | you | work | ||||
| We | We | we | ||||
| They | They | they | ||||
| He | He | he | ||||
| She | She | she | ||||
It
it
So, we have discussed with you three simple tense forms of the verb in English. I am sure that they will be very useful to you in your further study of the English language.
Future Simple - the usual future tense, helps to express events that are related to the future tense, or should happen in the near future. The future tense has companion words that accompany it:
Tomorrow, next year/day/month/season/week, in 7 years, in an hour, in 2018
The future tense is formed using the auxiliary verb shall/will. For the first person in singular and plural shall is used, in other cases will is used.
I shall read a fascinating magazine. - I’m reading a fascinating magazine.
We shall write the letter to my sister. - I will write a letter to my sister.
You will go to the Art Gallery tomorrow. - You will go to the art gallery tomorrow.
He/she/ will fly to Israel by plane. - He/she will fly to Israel by plane.
In colloquial speech you can often find a convenient abbreviated form - “ll.
I"ll begin to run tomorrow. - Starting tomorrow I will start running.
Interrogative form
Interrogative sentences in the future tense are formed very easily, you just need to put shall forward and maintain the rest of the word order.
Shall I swim in the river? - Will I swim in the river?
Shall we go to the mountain next summer holidays? - Will we go to the mountains for the next summer holidays?
Will you give me this black pencil next lesson? - Will you give me this black pencil for the next lesson?
Will he go to the stadium with his friends next Tuesday? - Will he go with his friends to the stadium next Tuesday?
Will she buy this beautiful dress? -Will she buy herself this beautiful dress?
Forming negative sentences in the future tense is also not difficult. To do this, you will need a negative particle not, which must be added to the verbs shall/will.
I shall not run tomorrow with my friends. - I won't run tomorrow with my friends.
We shall not listen to lecture on proper nutrition. - We will not listen to a lecture on proper nutrition.
You will not work at the garden next weekends. - You will not work in the garden next weekend.
They will not go to the park with their classmates. - They won't go to the park with their classmates.
Instead of shall/will not, native speakers very often use the short form and say - won"t/shan"t.
Recently, will has begun to be used with all persons, which is very convenient and does not create confusion.
Uses of the future tense
- if you need to talk about an event in the future
I will fly in two hours. - I'm leaving in two hours.
It will be difficult to decide on this. - It will be difficult to decide.
- when you need to point out actions that are constantly repeated in the future
I will do exercises every day. - I will do exercises every day.
- if you need to list the sequence of events in the future
I look forward to the holidays. I shall visit my grandmother in the village, I will walk through the forest, swim in the river, collect the flowers. - I'm looking forward to the holidays. I will go to my grandmother’s village, walk through the forest, swim in the river, and pick flowers.
Today I invite you to analyze the simple future tense in English, namely − Future Simple Tense. After studying the material, you will understand how a verb is conjugated in the affirmative, negative and interrogative form of the simple future tense, you will know in what cases it should be used, and you will also find out what constructions can replace it.
Meaning of Future Simple Tense
First, let's define that the Future Simple Tense is a tense form of English that expresses one-time, repeated, or ongoing actions or states that will take place in the future.
As in other indefinite tenses (Present Simple Tense, Past Simple Tense), the nature of the course of these actions and states is not indicated (i.e. completion, duration, precedence in relation to another action, etc.), but is simply expressed as a fact. This tense form is widely used in both written and spoken language.I want to immediately warn you that although Future Simple Tense is translated into Russian as “Simple Future Tense”, this does not mean that auxiliary verbs are not used in its formation
Affirmative form of Future Simple Tense
The affirmative form is formed using an auxiliary verb will, which applies to all singular and plural persons and the infinitive form of the main verb. Also for the formation of the simple past tense in the 1st person singular and plural ( I, we) verb used shall, but this form is now considered obsolete and is used mainly in writing and in formal style.
In colloquial speech, these verbs are used mainly in abbreviated form. For example:
- I shall/ I will – I’ll –
You will - you'll -
So, to form an affirmative form, an auxiliary verb should be placed after the subject will, which is suitable for all persons, or shall (for I, we), and after that - the main verb in the infinitive form.
Verb conjugation example to start in Future Simple Tense in the affirmative form:
- I will/shall (I"ll) start to work tomorrow.
- You will (You"ll) start to work tomorrow.
- He/She/It will (He"ll/ She'll) start to work tomorrow.
- We will/shall (We"ll) start to work tomorrow.
- You will (You"ll) start to work tomorrow.
- They will (They"ll) start to work tomorrow.
Question form Future Simple Tense
There is nothing new in the formation of the interrogative form of the simple future tense - everything is according to the general rule: auxiliary verb will (shall) comes first before the subject; the subject is followed by the main verb in the infinitive form. Let's try to inflect the verb.
Verb conjugation example to start in Future Simple Tense in interrogative form:
- Will/ Shall I start to work tomorrow?
- will speak do you start to work tomorrow?
- will speak he/ she/ it start to work tomorrow?
- Will/ Shall we start to work tomorrow?
- will speak do you start to work tomorrow?
- will speak they start to work tomorrow?
Negative form of Future Simple Tense
The negative form of the simple future tense is also formed according to the general rule - using an auxiliary verb will (shall) combined with a negative particle not. The word order remains the same as in an affirmative sentence, but a negation is placed between the auxiliary verb and the main verb in the infinitive form not.
In colloquial speech, an auxiliary verb will (shall) merges into one whole word with a particle not:
- Will not - won't -
- Shall not – shan’t – [ʃɑːnt]
Verb conjugation example to start in Future Simple Tense in negative form:
- I start to work tomorrow.
- You will not (won't) start to work tomorrow.
- He/She/It will not (won't) start to work tomorrow.
- We will not (won"t)/ shall not (shan"t) start to work tomorrow.
- You will not (won't) start to work tomorrow.
- They will not (won't) start to work tomorrow.
I think that in English it is the formation of the simple future tense that is the simplest and most understandable. You just need to learn how to manipulate the auxiliary verb, which is also suitable for all singular and plural persons. What could be simpler! Now let’s summarize all these rules into a table that you can always look at in order to quickly find your bearings and not get confused.
Conjugation table for the verb to start in the Future Simple Tense
| Number | Face | Affirmative form | Interrogative form | Negative form |
| Unit h. | 1
2 3 | I will/shall (I"ll) start to work. You will (You"ll) start to work. He/She/It will (He"ll/ She'll) start to work. | Will/ Shall I start to work? will speak do you start to work? will speak he/ she/ it start to work ? | I will not (won"t)/ shall not (shan"t) start to work. You will not (won't) start to work. He/She/It will not (won't) start to work. |
| Mn. h. | 1
2 3 | We will/shall (We"ll) start to work. You will (You"ll) start to work. They will (They"ll) start to work. | Will/ Shall we start to work? will speak do you start to work? will speak do they start to work? | We will not (won"t)/ shall not (shan"t) start to work. You will not (won't) start to work. They will not (won't) start to work. |
The simple future tense is used:
1. When expressing one-time actions or states that relate to the future tense.
- I'll do my best to help you. - I will do everything in my power to help you.
- So you’ll ring me up at five, will you? - So you'll call me at five o'clock, right?
When expressing repeated actions or states in the future.
- I'll visit you every week. - I will visit you every week.
- I'll write to you every day. - I will write to you every day.
When expressing actions and states that will occupy a certain period in the future.
- Will you wait for us? -Will you wait for us?
- Will you learn English? — Are you going to learn English?
When expressing a sequence of actions or states in the future.
- I'll do my homework and call you. “I’ll do my homework and call you.”
- We will meet and discuss everything. - We will meet and discuss everything.
The following words and expressions are very often used in such sentences:
- tonight - this evening
- tomorrow - tomorrow
- the day after tomorrow - the day after tomorrow
- in a week - in a week
- in a month - in a month
- next week - next week
- next year - next year
- soon - soon
2. When expressing your assumptions about the future. Often these sentences contain verbs:
- think − to think
- believe − to believe, to believe
- expect - to expect
- imagine - imagine
- adverbs:
- probably - probably
- certainly - definitely
- perhaps - probably
- or expressions:
- be afraid - to be afraid
- be sure - to be sure
- be certain - to be sure
- They'll certainly wait here. “They will definitely be waiting here.”
- I'm afraid I won't pass the exam. — I'm worried that I won't pass the exam.
- I think it will be interesting for you. - I think this will be interesting for you.
2. When expressing a decision made about the future at the time of conversation.
- I will order a tee and a cake, and you? — I’ll order tea and pie, what about you?
- -I"m tired! - I'm tired.
- - I "ll give you some time for rest. - I will give you time to rest.
3. When expressing a promise, threat, offer, or request.
- Will you have a lunch with us? -Will you have lunch with us? (offer)
- I'll kill you! - I'll kill you! (threat)
- I’ll take you with me next week.- I’ll take you with me next week. (Promise)
- Will you lend me some money? -Can you lend me some money? (request)
Note!
Auxiliary shall in interrogative form for the 1st person singular (I) often fulfills a modal meaning, i.e. expresses awareness of the interlocutor’s desire.
