Today, we’re diving into the world of the future tense 🌟 . If you’ve ever wondered how to talk about things that haven’t happened yet, you’re in the right place.

Understanding the future tense is super important because it helps us share our plans, make predictions, and talk about all the exciting things that are yet to come. So, let’s get started!

Understanding Future Tense

The future tense is all about talking about actions or events that will happen later. In English, there are a few different ways to express the future. Don’t worry, we’ll break it down step by step.

The table below shows how to use the future tense for each person (I, you, he/she/it, we, they) in both statements and questions:

Assertions (Declarative)

Questions (Interrogative)

Simple Future Tense

To form the simple future tense, we usually use ‘will +’ the base form of the verb. You can also use shall, but it’s less common and sounds more formal and old-fashioned.

♦ Example: I will go to the store.
♦ Example: She will call you tomorrow.

Usage

♥ Predictions: It will rain tomorrow.
♥ Spontaneous decisions: I’m hungry. I will eat an apple.
♥ Promises: I will help you with your homework.

Future Continuous Tense

The future continuous tense is formed using ‘will be + the present participle (verb + ing)’.

♦ Example: I will be studying at 8 PM.
♦ Example: They will be arriving soon.

Usage:

♥ Actions in progress at a specific future time: At 7 PM, I will be watching my favorite TV show.
♥ Polite inquiries about future plans: Will you be joining us for dinner?

Future Perfect Tense

To form the future perfect tense, ‘use will have + the past participle’ of the verb.

♦ Example: By this time next year, I will have graduated.
♦ Example: She will have finished the project by Monday.

Usage:

♥ Actions that will be completed before a specific future time: By 5 PM, I will have finished my homework.

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

This tense is formed using ‘will have been + the present participle’ (verb + ing).

♦ Example: By December, I will have been working here for five years.
♦ Example: He will have been running for two hours by then.

Usage:

♥ Ongoing actions that will continue up to a specific future time: By the time you arrive, I will have been waiting for an hour.

Common Errors

When we use shall, it only means that something will happen in the future. It doesn’t show if the person wants to do it or not. Look at these sentences with I’ll or we’ll.

Examples:

♦ I will go with you.
♦ I will give you what you ask.
♦ I will not endure it.
♦ We will allow you to enter.
♦ We will have the truth.

Will refers not only to something happening in the future. It shows that they’re super committed to doing it.

So, when we use with ‘I’ or ‘we’, it’s not just talking about the future. It shows the speaker’s willingness or desire to do something. Use ‘will’ with ‘I’ or ‘we’ when making promises, threats, agreeing to something, or showing determination. ‘Will’ does not simply mean something will happen in the future.

Related Reading: Conquering Complete and Compound Tenses 

First Person

When talking about yourself (first person), use ‘shall’ instead of ‘will’ for future tense in both statements and questions. ‘Shall’ just means something will happen in the future without showing if you want to do it.

Use ‘will’ with ‘I’ or ’‘we’ when making promises, threats, agreeing to something, or showing determination. Will doesn’t just mean something will happen in the future.

Simple Futurity

Simple futurity refers to the expression of actions or events that will happen in the future with no additional meanings, like willingness, intention, desire, or determination.

It simply states that we expect something to happen later. In English, we convey them using ‘shall’ (especially in British English) or ‘will ’ for general future predictions or plans.

♦ Example: I shall go to the store tomorrow.
♦ Example: He will finish his homework tonight.

In these sentences, ‘shall’ and ‘will ’are just showing that these actions are going to happen in the future, adding no extra feelings or intentions from the speaker.

Promises, Threats, and Resolutions

We use ‘will’ for promises, threats, consent and resolution.

Examples:

♦ I will subscribe to your fund. [Promise.]
♦ We will do our best. [Promise.]
♦ I will discharge you if you are late again. [Threat.]
♦ We will permit you to go. [Consent.]
♦ I will have obedience. [Resolution.]
♦ I’ll meet you at noon. [Promise.]
♦ I’ll never consent. [Resolution.]
♦ We’ll get back at you. [Threat.]

Adjectives and Adverbs

When we express willingness by an adjective, ‘I shall’ is correct; when we use an adverb, ‘I will’ is correct.

♦ Example: I shall be glad to help you.
♦ Example: I will gladly help you.

When you really mean it, ‘will‘ shows determination, even if you’re talking about someone else.

♦ Example: I will go, no matter what you say.
♦ Example: You will act foolishly, in spite of my advice

Second Person

When asking someone about the future (second person), use ‘Shall you?’ instead of ‘Will you?’ ‘Will you?’ always shows willingness, agreement, or determination, not just that something will happen in the future. Also, the word you use in the question should match the word expected in the answer.

Simple Futurity/Future Tense

When you’re talking about the future with someone else (second person), use ‘shall‘ for simple futurity. For instance, instead of asking ‘Are you planning on going to the store tomorrow?‘ This phrasing simply asks if the action will happen in the future, implying no extra meaning like willingness or determination.

Using ‘shall‘ in this way helps make your question clear and focused on the future action itself, rather than the person’s willingness to do it.

Examples:

♦ Shall you be disappointed if he does not come? [I shall.]
♦ Shall you regret his absence? [I shall.]
♦ Shall you go by boat or by train? [I shall go by boat.]

Related Reading: Unlocking the Power of Nouns in Writing

Verb-Phrase denoting Willingness, etc.

Examples:

♦ Will you write often? [I will.]
♦ Will you allow me to help you? [I will.]
♦ Will you be so kind as to open the window? [I will.]

 Commands, Promises, and Threats

In sentences where you’re talking about someone else (second and third persons), ‘shall‘ is not used to show the future tense. Instead, it shows commands, promises, threats, or sound decisions made by the speaker

Examples:

♦ Thou shalt not kill. [Command]
♦ You shall have the hat before Monday. [Promise]
♦ You shall pay for this insult! [Threat]
♦ She shall not regret her generosity. [Resolution]

In prophetic or predicting language, we use ‘shall’ for second and third persons, even if it doesn’t involve commands or similar ideas.

Military Orders and Official Communications

In military orders and official communications, it’s polite to use ‘will‘ instead of ‘shall‘ for second and third persons.

♦ Example: You will immediately report for orders.
♦ Example: Heads of Departments will submit their estimates before January first.

You can also show future time by using the present tense or saying

♦ Example: We sail for Havana on Tuesday.
♦ Example: They are about to begin the study of Greek.

Other Ways to Express the Future

Besides ‘will‘ and ‘shall,’ there are several other words and phrases that can express future tense.

Planned actions or intentions: Using ‘going to’ + base form of the verb

♦ Example: I am going to visit my grandparents.

Definite future plans: Present continuous for future arrangements.

♦ Example: She is planning to study abroad next year.

Timetabled events: Simple present for scheduled events.

♦ Example: The train leaves at 9 AM.

About to: Used to indicate something that is going to happen very soon.

♦ Example: They are about to start the meeting.

Expect to: Used when you anticipate something will happen.

♦ Example: We expect to arrive by noon.

Hope to: Used to express a desire or wish for the future.

♦ Example: I hope to travel to Japan next summer.

Definite future plans: Present continuous for future arrangements.

♦ Example: She is planning to study abroad next year.

Aim to: Indicates a goal or objective for the future.

♦ Example: He aims to complete the marathon.

Due to: Indicates something is scheduled or expected to happen.

♦ Example: The book is due to be published next month.

Set to: Indicates something is planned or arranged.

♦ Example: The team is set to launch the new product.

Likely to: Indicates something is probable in the future

♦ Example: It is likely to rain tomorrow.

On the verge of: Indicates something is very close to happening.

♦ Example: They are on the verge of signing the contract.

Bound to: Indicates something is certain to happen.

♦ Example: She is bound to succeed.

Supposed to: Indicates something that is expected to happen.

♦ Example: The meeting is supposed to start at 10 AM.

Scheduled to: Used for planned events.

♦ Example: The flight is scheduled to depart at 8 PM.

Promise to: Indicates a commitment to do something in the future

♦ Example: He promised to help me with my homework.

Related Reading: Understanding Verbs: The Action Words of Language

Practice Exercises

Read each sentence carefully and fix each sentence so that they are correct in future tense.

1. She will going to the party tomorrow.
2. They shall finish their homework by 6 PM.
3. I will eats dinner at 7 PM.
4. You shall studying for the test tonight?
5. He will be plays football next weekend.
6. We will to visit the museum on Saturday.
7. She shall calls you later.
8. They will be going to the beach tomorrow.
9. I shall meets her at the café.
10. You will be to attend the meeting?
11. He will has finished the project by Friday.
12. We will been traveling for two weeks by then.
13. She will be cooks dinner when you arrive.
14. They shall arriving at 8 PM.
15. I will to see the doctor tomorrow.
16. You will be goes to the concert tonight?
17. He shall complete his assignment by Monday.
18. We will have be studying for three hours.
19. She will be doing her homework when you call.
20. They will arrives on time for the show.

Key Takeaways

1. Use ‘Will’ for Certainty: Use ‘will’ to express strong intentions or definite plans.

2. Use ‘Shall’ for Formality: Use ‘shall’ in more formal contexts, especially in British English, or to show obligations.

3. Differentiate Between ‘Will’ and ‘Going to’: Use ‘going to’ for planned actions or intentions, and ‘will’ for spontaneous decisions.

4. Future Continuous for Ongoing Actions: Use the future continuous tense (will be + verb-ing) to describe actions that will be in progress at a specific future time.

5. Future Perfect for Completed Actions: Use the future perfect tense (will have + past participle) to indicate actions that will be completed before a specific future time.

6. Future Perfect Continuous for Ongoing Duration: Use the future perfect continuous (will have been + verb-ing) to show an action that will continue up until a point in the future.
7. Avoid Overusing ‘Will’: Don’t rely solely on ‘will’ to indicate future actions. Mix it up with other forms like ‘going to’ or the present continuous.
8. Use Present Simple for Scheduled Events: For fixed schedules or timetables, use the present simple tense.
9. Contractions: Use contractions like ‘I’ll’ or ‘we’ll’ for a more conversational tone.
10. Use Time Markers: Include words like ‘tomorrow,’ ‘next week,’ ‘in the future,’ etc., to clarify that you’re talking about future events.

Last Words on Future Tense

To sum it up, the future tense helps us talk about what will happen later. Remember, ‘will’ is often used for spontaneous decisions and promises, while ‘going to’ is used for planned actions. And also make sure you’re using the correct form of the verb.

Happy writing!

Linda

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