Simple Future Tense

Introduction

The simple future is a verb tense that’s used to talk about things that haven’t happened yet.

This year, Jen will read War and Peace.

It will be hard, but she’s determined to do it.

Use the simple future to talk about an action or condition that will begin and end in the future.

 

How to form the simple future

The formula for the simple future is will + [root form of verb].

I will learn a new language.

Jen will read that book.

My brothers will sleep till noon if no one wakes them up.

You will see what I mean.

It doesn’t matter if the subject is singular or plural; the formula for the simple future doesn’t change.

 

But . . .

There is another way to show that something will happen in the future. It follows the formula am/is/are + going to + [root form verb].

I am going to learn a new language.

Jen is going to read that book.

My brothers are going to sleep till noon if no one wakes them up.

You are going to see what I mean.

The going to construction is common in both speech and casual writing. Keep in mind, though, that it’s on the informal side, so it’s a good idea to stick to the will + [root form] construction in formal writing.

 

How to make the simple future negative

To make the simple future negative, the formula is will + not + [root form of verb].

Jen will not quit before she reaches her goal.

Make sure you arrive on time tomorrow, because the bus will not wait for you.

He will not say anything bad about his boss.

I will not finish my homework in time for class.

__________________________________________________________________

Using the going to construction, the formula is am/is/are + not + going to + [root form].

Jen is not going to quit before she reaches her goal.

Make sure you arrive on time tomorrow, because the bus is not going to wait for you.

He is not going to say anything bad about his boss.

I am not going to finish my homework in time for class.

 

How to ask a question in the simple future

To ask a question in the simple future, the formula is will + [subject] + [root form of verb].

Will Jen finish War and Peace over the summer?

Will I have the discipline to study Spanish every day?

What will you buy with the money you found?

 

The formula for the going to construction is am/is/are + [subject] + going to + [root form of verb].

Is Jen going to finish War and Peace over the summer?

Am I going to have the discipline to study Spanish every day?

What are you going to buy with the money you found?

 

Common verbs in the simple future

Infinitive

Simple Future

Negative

to be

will be

will not be

to ask

will ask

will not ask

to work

will work

will not work

to call

will call

will not call

to use

will use

will not use

to have

will have

will not have

 

The going to construction

 Infinitive  

I

You, We, They

He, She, It

to be

am going to be/am not going to be

are going to be/are not going to be

is going to be/is not going to be

to ask

am going to ask/am not going to ask

are going to ask/are not going to ask

is going to ask/is not going to ask

 

Task

Change the verb into the correct form:

1. You ____ (call) me next week.

2. She ____(come) at 7 o'clock.

3. They ____ (be) here very soon.

4. I _______ (take) you with me next month.

5. We ___ (not paint) our bedroom next month. 

6. The program ___ (not continue) for some time now. 

7. It ___ (not be) Christmas next week. 

8. The flight ____ ( not arrive) at 3:30 A.M.

9. ____ (He /come) tomorrow?

10. What time_____ (the sun/set) today?

11._____(Jake/be) at home this evening?

12. What _____ (the weather/be) like tomorrow?

Process

Explanation

  • Write the formula for the simple future tense on the board: "Subject + will + base form of the verb."
  • Provide examples using different subjects (I, you, he/she/it, we, they) and various verbs. For example:
    • I will eat lunch later.
    • She will visit her grandmother this weekend.
    • We will watch a movie tonight.
  • Discuss the use of "will" as the helping verb for the future tense.

Practice 

  • Distribute handouts with exercises to the students. Include a mix of sentences with missing verbs, and students should complete the sentences using the simple future tense.
  • Encourage students to work individually and then check their answers with a partner.
  • Review the answers as a class and discuss any common errors or questions

Group Activity 

  • Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with a set of cards. On each card, write a verb in its base form. Students should take turns forming sentences in the simple future tense using the cards they have. For example, if a student has the card with "travel," they might say, "I will travel to Europe next summer."
Evaluation

Fill In The Blanks With The Correct Simple Future Tense Form Of The Verb In Brackets:

  1. She (watch) ___________ a movie tomorrow. (4 point) 

  2. They (have) ___________ a party next week. (4 point)

  3. He (play) ___________ soccer with his friends on Saturday. (4 point)

  4. We (visit) ___________ the museum next month. (4 point)

  5. She (study) ___________ for the test all week. (4 point)

  6. They (travel) ___________ to the beach this summer. (4 point)

  7. He (cook) ___________ dinner for his family tomorrow. (4 point)

  8. I (make) ___________ a cake for my friend’s birthday. (4 point)

  9. We (clean) ___________ the house next weekend. (4 point)

Future Tense Yes/No Questions

The answer to these questions

1. Will you go to his party next Friday? (2 point)

2. Will it rain tomorrow?

3. Will the movie be funny?

4. Will you please help me with this project?

5. Will she come to school today?

6. Will you be at the meeting?

7. Will she want to go to the park with us next weekend?

____Total 50 point

Conclusion

In conclusion, the simple future tense is used to describe an event that will happen in the future. This tense is formed by using the modal verb “will” followed by the base form of the verb. The simple future tense is important because it helps us to communicate our plans and expectations clearly.