Future Simple Tense in English

Simple Future Tense

Simple future forms are also very often used in spoken English. They define something happens in the future and sometimes with no exact time. We can use either "will" or "be going to" as the auxiliary verb. Be going to is more formal than will and more frequently used in written English. Will and be going to can be used to express something happens in the future (predictions). However, will and be going to are not interchangeable when we talk about particular situations. I'm going to explain more to you so you will understand better.

Future Simple Tense in English

Example of Simple Future Tense

It will rain.
It is going to rain.
You will pass the exams, so don't worry!
You are going to pass the exams, just relaxed!

Affirmative Forms

Structure: S + will / be going to + V1 + complement
                 S + will / be going to + be + complement

Examples:
I will give you the answers, but you have to try first.
I will be happy if you try to do the worksheets first.
I am going to Washington tomorrow.
I am be there in ten minutes.


NEGATIVE FORMS

Structure: S + will not / be not going to +  V1 + complement
           S + will not / be not going to + be + complement
Examples:
I will not help you anymore.
I am not going to come to your party.
I will not be busy today.
I am not going to be hungry.

Interrogative Forms

Structure: Will S + V1 + complement? / Be + S + going to + V1 + complement?
                 Will + S + be + complement? / Be + S + going to + be + complement?
Examples:
Will you marry me?
Are you going to do your report tonight?
Will you be here with me?
Are you going to be there?

Abbreviations
I will ==> I'll
I will not ==> I won't

WILL vs BE GOING TO

Prediction (will / be going to)

When we want to make a prediction or we believe that something happens in the future, we can use either will or be going to.

Examples:
It will snow tonight.
It is going to snow tonight.
I will be there ina short time.
I am going to be on time tomorrow.

Prior Plan (only be going to)

When we had a plan before we tell someone about our plan, we can only use "be going to".

Examples:
I am going to clean my house after work.
I am going to watch the movie with her.
I am going to tell my parents that I failed on the exams.

Willingness (only will)

Examples:
To express someone's willingness we can only use "will" as the auxiliary verb.
I will help you to do the job.
She will accept your apology.
They will not care about your condition.


There will be simple future tense worksheets in the near future because you need simple future tense exercises to strengthen your memory and knowledge. As always I remember you not to be worried too much about the structures. In fact, you don't need to memorize the formulas since they will only make you more confused. Just keep practicing by making plenty of examples.