What does future simple mean. Future Simple - Rules and Usage Examples

Education Future Simple
(shall/will + infinitive without to)

Future Simple (Future Indefinite) formed with the help shall or will and the infinitive of the main verb without the to particle. Shall- for 1 person singular or plural and will- for 2nd and 3rd person singular or plural, for example I shall go/He will go. In modern English, the auxiliary verb will used in all faces.

Abbreviated forms:

'll= shall/will
'll not= shall not/will not
shan't= shall not
won't= will not

Using the Future Simple

1. A single or repeated action that will happen in the future ( tomorrow - tomorrow, the day after tomorrow - the day after tomorrow, tonight - tonight, next year / month / week - next year / month, next week, in ... days - after ... days).

Examples: The weather will be unpredictable next week. The weather will be unpredictable next week.
We shall not go to the Zoo tomorrow. We will not go to the zoo tomorrow.
He won't go there. He won't go there.

2. Action with probability value ( probably - probably, perhaps - maybe, certainly - undoubtedly).

Examples: Perhaps I' ll see him tomorrow. “Perhaps I will meet him tomorrow.

3. Expression of actions when the decision to perform it is made at the moment of speech.

Examples: Would you like something to drink? – I’ ll have mineral water. - What will you drink? - I'll have mineral water.

4. The main function of auxiliary verbs shall/will- indicate the future tense, they are never used as independent verbs in the meaning I will, will. For these purposes, in English there is a verb to be.

Examples: He will be at the meeting at 7 o'clock. - He will be at the meeting at 7 o'clock.

5. Future Simple (Future Indefinite) is not used in. In this case, is used.

Examples: I' ll show her these papers when she comes. I will show her these documents when she returns.

Note. Future action can also be expressed.

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Video tutorial: Future Simple. Future simple tense

Future Simple (future simple tense) denotes an action that will take place in an indefinite or distant future .

Often with the words: tomorrow(tomorrow), next year(week, month, etc. - next year, next week, next month), today(tonight), the day after tomorrow(day after tomorrow), in five days(after five days), etc.

Next summer we will go to the sea. We will go to the sea next summer.

Education Future Simple

• the statement is formed by the formula: will + I form verb - I will go. He will go.
• negation is formed using a particle not, which is placed after will:
  will + not go (short form won't go) - I will not go (=I won't go).He will not go (=He won't go).
• to form questions will placed at the beginning of the sentence Will I go? Will he go?
• if you use an auxiliary verb shall then remember that shall used only with pronouns I and we:
  I shall go (I will go); We shall go (We shall go)
  I shall not go (= I shan't go); We shall not go (= We shan't go)
  Shall I go? Shall we go?

Note: very often, especially in colloquial speech, the short form is used in statements ‘ll for shall and will:
He will go = He'll go
I shall go = I'll go
It is believed that the auxiliary verb shall has practically ceased to be used due to the fact that in the short form both shall and will look the same: ‘ll

Using the Future Simple

The Future Simple is used to express:

• an action that will take place in an indefinite or distant future. Often with words tomorrow(tomorrow), next week(next week), in a year(in a year), etc. This Future Simple value is described above as the main one.
  ​We will go to the party tomorrow. - Tomorrow we will go to a party.
• regular, recurring action in the future:
  Will you phone me every week? Will you call me every week?
  We will meet and talk from time to time. We will meet and talk from time to time.
• sequence of actions in the future:
  I will meet you and show my new painting. We will meet and I will show you my new painting.
• a guess or prediction of what will happen based on personal opinion. At the same time, verbs can often be present in the sentence. think(think), expect(expect), believe(believe, believe) imagine(imagine, imagine) be sure(sure), be certain(sure), be afraid(be afraid) and also the words probably(Maybe), certainly(definitely), perhaps(maybe probably):
  I think the Conservatives will win the next election. “I think the Conservatives will win the next election.
  I'm afraid she won't come to the party. I'm afraid she won't come to the party.
• a decision made during a conversation and immediately announced:
  A: ‘I’m cold’. - I'm cold.
  B: 'I ‘ll close the window’. - I'll close the window.
• promise, request, refusal, readiness, threat:
  I ‘ll help you with your homework. I will help you with your homework (I am ready to help).
  Will you give me a hand? - Will you give me your hand? (I beg)
  I will give up smoking! - I'll stop smoking! (I promise I'm ready)

Shall I? Shall we?

In British English, the auxiliary verb shall often used in interrogative sentences when you want to know the interlocutor's opinion, especially regarding a sentence (Shall I ..? Shall we ..?):
Shall I open the window? — Open the window? (do you want me to open the window?)
Where shall we go tonight? - Where are we going tonight? (what do you think about this?)

Future action in English can be expressed in many ways. The most famous of them is Future Simple(simple future tense). However, it is not as "simple" as it seems at first glance. This time has many functions, and we suggest you explore them in our article.

How Future Simple time is formed

Statement

In order to form Future Simple, we need an auxiliary verb will. The subject will come first, followed by will, in third place - the main verb without a particle to.

You may have heard that auxiliary verbs Future Simple- this is shall and will. Yes, it was, but for a long time. Today will is the only auxiliary verb, and shall sometimes used in questions.

In an affirmative sentence will combines with a pronoun and forms an abbreviated form:

• I'll come.
• She'll understand.
• They'll agree.

Negation

In a negative sentence, a particle appears between the auxiliary verb and the main verb not.

In a negative sentence will combines with a particle not, forming an abbreviated form. But there is one feature here - a change in the form of the word: will + not = won't. For example:

• It won't break.
• We won't find.
• You won't see.

Question

Question in Future Simple starts with an auxiliary verb will, followed by the subject and the main verb.

We have separated all functions Future Simple into 3 groups, so that it is convenient for you to learn this time. If you are not familiar with it, then first of all you should study the green frame. It contains the main functions necessary for the entry level. In the yellow box, you will find those features that are needed at the intermediate level. And in red, rarer and more complex cases of use are represented. Future Simple studied at a high level.

Using the Future Simple

First level

Future Simple refers to the same things as present and past simple, only in the future.

1. When we express single actions in the future.
   

   We will take a taxi. - We let's take Taxi.

   He will spend his vacation in China. - He will hold vacation in China.

2. When the action will be repeated several times in the future.
   

   I will go to London a few times next year. - I visit London repeatedly next year.

   In this tense, words can be used that indicate an action in the future: tomorrow(tomorrow), today(tonight), the day after tomorrow(day after tomorrow), next week(next week), next year(next year), in a week / in a month(in a week / in a month), soon(soon), etc.

   She will call me today. - She is will call to me in the evening.

3. Future Simple is used when we make a decision instantly and immediately voice it, in other words, when we make spontaneous decisions.
   

   I will order a steak and chips, and you? - I order steak and fried potatoes, and you? (I came to the restaurant, looked at the menu and chose a steak spontaneously)

   hold on. I "ll get a pen. - Wait, I I will get handle. (there was a need to write something down, so I immediately announced that I needed to take a pen)

When else is the Future Simple used?

Average level

1. Future Simple is used when we make a guess about an action in the future, i.e. we think, suspect or guess that some action will happen in the future.
   

   This website will give you lots of useful information. - On this site you find a lot of useful information.

   People won't go to Jupiter even in 100 years. - People will not fly to Jupiter even after 100 years.

   In such sentences, there are often words showing conjecture, doubt, certainty or uncertainty: think(think), hope(hope), believe(count, believe) wonder(to be interested) expect(expect), imagine(imagine, imagine) be sure(sure), be certain(sure), be afraid(afraid); probably(probably), certainly(definitely), perhaps(Maybe):

   I am sure you will enjoy the film. - I sure what movie you like it.

   the rain won't probably stop soon. - Rain, probably, will end not soon.

2. Will can be not only an auxiliary verb of the future tense, but also a modal verb. The situation in such sentences most often refers to the future, and we will also translate into Russian in the future tense. By using will we can pass multiple values:
   • Promise.
     

     I will come and see you before leaving. - I I will visit you before leaving.

   • Sentence.
     

     Will you have a cup of tea? - You have a drink a cup of tea?

   • Request.
     

     Will you help me to find an earring? I dropped it in the bathroom. - You help should I find an earring? I dropped it in the bathroom.

   • Warning or threat.
     

     Don't drink coffee at night. You will have problems with sleep - Don't drink coffee in the evening. At your place will sleep problems (warning)

     Listen carefully to me or I will punish you. - Listen to me carefully, or I will I will punish. (the threat)

     Sometimes the actions in such sentences are similar to simple single actions in the future. If in oral speech you want to emphasize that your words are a promise or a warning, then highlight will voice. The offer and request are usually submitted in the form of a question.

Difficult use cases of Future Simple

High level

You know what's after if(if) we don't use will. This "reinforced concrete" rule students learn when they meet. But it can be violated in two cases.

1. If a if is used not as a condition, but as an indirect question, then you can use will. An indirect question is a subordinate clause that begins with the conjunction if/whether(whether), but is not a question. It retains direct word order and ends with a period rather than a question mark. Do not confuse indirect questions with conditional sentences. In both cases, the union is used if, but the conditional clause has a condition: something can be done if the condition is met first ( if= if). In an indirect question there is no condition, it has an alternative: you can do something or you cannot ( if= whether).
   

   I want to ask if he will go to Japan next year. - I want to ask, will he go he's going to Japan next year.

   I have no idea if she will like these flowers. - I have no idea, will you like her these flowers.

2. Will can be used in conditional sentences after conjunction if(if) as a modal verb. In order to emphasize modality, we place a strong emphasis on will. Situations can refer to both the present and the future, but are often translated into Russian in the future tense. We can supply will after if:
   • When will it means “to do something persistently and persistently”, that is, to continue to defend your opinion without listening to others.
     

     If you will stand your ground, you will lose your job. - If a you you will continue to stand on your own, you will lose your job.

   • When will means a polite request.
     

     If you will pass the salt, I will be obliged. - Pass, please, salt, I will be grateful to you.

3. One of the functions will as a modal verb - to show the speaker's unwillingness to do something. In this case will denotes a situation in the present, therefore it is translated using the present tense. Usually in such sentences we need to highlight will voice, so we let the interlocutor understand that will is a modal verb, not an auxiliary verb Future Simple.
   

   I've tried to give her advice, but she won't listen. I wanted to give her advice, but she doesn't want to listen. (we want to emphasize her unwillingness to listen)

   my father won't lend me his car. - My father does not want to borrow your car. (he shows reluctance to borrow a car)

4. Sometimes we use Future Simple when talking about a pre-planned event in a formal style of speech. Most often, in this case, we report not only about the event itself, but also about some of its details.
   

   The meeting will begin at midday. The presentation will start at 12.30. - Meeting will begin on midday. Presentation will begin at 12:30.

   Please note that we usually use or construction when we talk about a planned action in the future, and also when we talk about a scheduled action.

   We 're having a meeting in the café in two hours. We have a meeting in a cafe in two hours.

   I 'm going to have a meeting with Andy today. - Today I going to meet Andy.

   The meeting begins at 9 a.m. - Meeting will begin at 9 am.

At the time Future Simple wide range of tasks, and for most future situations, you can find a suitable function. It can rightly be called the "universal" future tense. Of course, like any English time, Future Simple can be encountered in an unexpected context, so at all levels of language proficiency you will learn something new about it.

In order to better remember the functions Future Simple take the next test. You can also download a table with the forms of education of the simple future tense in English.

(*.pdf, 184 Kb)

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Test

Future Simple Tense - simple future tense

Fig.1 Future indefinite - the future is indefinite

The future is uncertain, you can also find another name for Future Simple - the simple future tense.

• to ask - I shall ask - Ask - I will ask.
• to ask - He will ask - Ask - He will ask.

Interrogative and negative forms

Formation of the interrogative form Future indefinite. In an interrogative sentence, the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject.

An example of the formation of an interrogative form:

Will he ask? Will he ask?

Formation of the negative form Future indefinite. In a negative sentence, the negative not is placed after the auxiliary verb

An example of the formation of a negative form:

He will not ask? He won't ask.

Verb forms in the future simple

Use of Future indefinite

Future indefinite is used to express:

1. Repeated action or permanent feature of the subject in the future.
   • He will go to swimming-pool every day -
     He will go to the pool every other day.
     Repeat action in the future.
2. Chains of consecutive actions in the future.
   • He will take a book, open it and begin to read it -
     He will take the book, open it and start reading.
     A chain of sequential actions that will be performed in the future, one after the other.
3. Single action in the future.
   • I shall take the book from the library tomorrow. -
     I will take a book from the library tomorrow.
     Single action in the future.

In sentences with Future indefinite, the words are often used to indicate the future tense:

In subordinate clauses of time or conditions for expressing future actions, Present indefinite is used, not

Example:

When (if) he reads this book he will return it to the library. - When (if) he reads this book, he will return it to the library.

The Future Simple tense in English or the Simple Future is necessary in order to talk about upcoming events. It is important to understand the cases of use and the features of the formation of the structure.

How Future Simple is formed

To communicate plans for the future in English, you will need to use the following grammatical formula: will (I will) + verb in the initial form . Features of Future Simple education will be clearer for children and adults if you look at the tables.

affirmative sentences

Previously, the Future Simple tense rules suggested using the verb shall instead of will in the first person singular and plural. In many English grammar textbooks, similar examples have been preserved, which also indicate an action in the future: I shall go to Africa next month. – I will go to Africa next month./ Anna and Frank shall meet at the theater tonight. Anna and Frank will meet at the theater tonight.

Negation

In negations, native speakers often use abbreviations. According to the scheme for the formation of such a sentence, the verb will, combined with the negative particle not, turns into won't.

Interrogative sentences and short answers

Special questions in the Future Simple tense are formed by adding special words that clarify some information to the beginning of the sentence:

• Who - who:

  Who will take out the rubbish? Who will take out the trash?

• What - What? Which?:

  What will you do tomorrow? - What will you do tomorrow? What car will you buy next time? What car will you buy next?

• When - When?:

  When will he celebrate his birthday? When will he celebrate his birthday?

• Where - Where? Where?:
• Why - Why? Why?:

  Why will she study Spanish next year? Why will she study Spanish next year?

• How much / how many - How much? (much is used with uncountable nouns, many with countable ones):
• How long - How long?:

  How long will you stay in Moscow? – How long will you stay in Moscow?

When translating Future Simple sentences, it is necessary to take into account the meaning of the phrase, where the verb will (will) in the Russian version does not always remain: I will make a lot of money. – I will earn a lot of money. He will write a new book. He will write a new book.

Features of the use of the Simple Future Tense

It is necessary not only to understand how the Future Simple is formed, but also to understand when this grammatical phenomenon is used in speech. This knowledge will help when writing letters, essays, etc.

• To indicate a one-time action in the future:

  They will go to the mountains tomorrow. They will go to the mountains tomorrow.

• To report regular actions that will be repeated at certain intervals in the future:

  We will often visit this town. We will often come to this city.

• For a story about several sequential actions in the future:

  They will get to the airport, check in and wait for the flight. They will get to the airport, check in and wait for their flight.

When translating sentences from direct to indirect speech, the verb will is replaced by would, but its meaning is preserved.