Anticipating Tomorrow and Beyond

The simple future tense is a window into what has yet to come — it allows us to discuss future events and possibilities. Languagehood’s guide on the simple future tense is crafted to help learners articulate plans, make predictions, and express willingness or determination about upcoming events.

Understanding the Simple Future Tense

The simple future tense is used to describe actions that haven’t happened yet but are expected or planned to occur later. It’s the tense of predictions, promises, and intentions.

When to Use the Simple Future Tense

• Future Actions: To talk about something that will occur later.
  • “She will graduate next year.”
• Predictions: When foreseeing events without certainty.
  • “It will probably rain tomorrow.”
• Spontaneous Decisions: Decisions made at the moment of speaking.
  • “I think I will go for a walk.”
• Promises or Offers: To assure someone or offer help.
  • “I will help you with your project.”

Forming the Simple Future Tense

The simple future tense is typically formed using ‘will’ plus the base form of the verb. Another way to form the future tense is by using ‘is/am/are going to’ plus the verb.

• With ‘will’: “I will visit my grandparents next weekend.”
• With ‘going to’: “I am going to visit my grandparents next weekend.”

Affirmative, Negative, and Question Forms

• Affirmative: Subject + will + base form of the verb
  • “They will start a new job.”
• Negative: Subject + will not/won’t + base form of the verb
  • “I will not (won’t) stay up too late.”
• Question: Will + subject + base form of the verb?
  • “Will you attend the meeting?”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overusing ‘will’ for planned future events. Use ‘going to’ when the decision has been made before the moment of speaking.
  • Incorrect: “I will meet him tomorrow; we arranged it last week.”
  • Correct: “I am going to meet him tomorrow; we arranged it last week.”

Examples for Practice

• “We will travel to Italy next summer.”
• “It won’t be easy, but we will manage it.”
• “Are you going to attend the concert?”

The simple future tense empowers us to look forward and plan, imagine, or commit to future actions. Through this guide, Languagehood provides learners with the key to unlock discussions about the future, helping them to express upcoming events with clarity and confidence.