Tenses
Future Simple Tense: Talking About Tomorrow
· 3 min read
Will plus a base verb expresses predictions, spontaneous decisions, promises and other future meanings. Other structures can also refer to future time.
What is the Future Simple Tense?
The Future Simple tense uses WILL + base verb to talk about things that will happen in the future. It's one of the easiest tenses because the verb never changes!
Sentence Structure
Affirmative (Positive) Sentences:
Subject + will + Base Verb
I will come tomorrow.
She will help you.
They will arrive soon.
We will meet again.
It will be fun!
Short Form: will = 'll
I'll see you later.
💡 I will = I'll
She'll be here soon.
💡 She will = She'll
We'll help you.
💡 We will = We'll
Negative Sentences:
Subject + will not (won't) + Base Verb
I will not forget.
💡 won't forget
She won't come today.
They won't be late.
It won't rain tomorrow.
💡 Negative prediction
Question Form:
Will + Subject + Base Verb + ?
Will you come to the party?
Will she pass the exam?
Will it rain tomorrow?
What will you do?
💡 WH-question
When will they arrive?
💡 WH-question
Where will we meet?
💡 WH-question
WILL vs GOING TO
Both talk about the future, but they're used differently:
| WILL | GOING TO |
|---|---|
| Spontaneous decisions | Planned decisions |
| Predictions (opinion) | Predictions (evidence) |
| Promises, offers, requests | Intentions |
| Decided NOW | Decided BEFORE now |
When Do We Use Future Simple?
1. Predictions - What we think will happen.
I think it will rain tomorrow.
💡 A prediction about weather
She will be a great doctor someday.
💡 A prediction about someone
Technology will change everything.
💡 A prediction about the future
2. Promises - Committing to do something.
I will help you with your homework.
💡 A promise to help
I will call you tonight.
💡 A promise to call
We will never forget this day.
💡 A promise/commitment
3. Spontaneous Decisions - Deciding at the moment of speaking.
(Phone rings) I will get it!
💡 Deciding right now
I'm tired. I will go to bed.
💡 Deciding at this moment
It's hot. I will open the window.
💡 Spontaneous decision
4. Offers and Requests - Offering help or asking for something.
Will you help me?
💡 Request
I will carry that for you.
💡 Offer
Will you marry me?
💡 Request/proposal
5. Facts About the Future - Things that are certain to happen.
The sun will rise at 6 AM tomorrow.
💡 Certain fact
I will be 25 years old next month.
💡 Certain fact
The exam will start at 10 AM.
💡 Scheduled event
Common Time Words
I will see you tomorrow.
She will call later.
We will meet next week.
They will arrive in two hours.
He will finish soon.
I will always love you.
Everyday Conversation Examples
A: I'm hungry. B: I will make you something.
💡 Offer
A: Will you help me? B: Sure, I will help you.
💡 Request + Promise
A: What will you do tomorrow? B: I will probably stay home.
A: I forgot my wallet! B: Don't worry, I will pay.
💡 Spontaneous offer
Practice Paragraph
Next year, I will graduate from college. After that, I will look for a job. I think I will work in the IT industry. My parents say they will support me until I find a good position. I will not give up easily. I will work hard and will do my best. I believe everything will be fine. Life will bring new opportunities. I will be ready for them!
Continue learning
Future Continuous: Forms and Examples · Conditional Sentences: Types and Examples
Practice in the 30 Days English Challenge: Day 7: Will, Shall, May and Can: Ability, Offers and Permission · Day 18: Simple Tenses: Habits, the Past and the Future