III. THE SIMPLE TENSE
5. The Simple Future Tense
5.1 How to Write the Simple Future Tense: Two Forms
The simple future tense has two different forms. The 'will' form of the verb actually has several different purposes, and the 'BE going to' form has its own purpose. However, although the 'will' form of the verb has different purposes, they are all written in the same way.
Notice that the 'BE going to' form of the future is only used for things which are planned in advance or are intended for the future.
| 'Will' Form |
'BE Going To' Form |
| 'will' + base form of the verb |
'BE' + 'going to' + base form of the verb
• The base form of the verb is used because 'to' is used to make the main verb into an infinitive. |
Purpose
| Singular |
Plural |
Singular |
Plural |
I will eat.
You will eat.
(He, she, it) will eat. |
We will eat.
You will eat.
They will eat. |
I am going to study.
You are going to study.
(He, she, it) is going to study. |
We are going to study.
You are going to study.
They are going to study. |
| Purpose |
Purpose |
Plans and Intended Actions
We use this form to tell what we are planning to do or intending to do for the future. However, for plans and intended actions, 'going to' is usually used. |
Plans and Intended Actions
We use this form to tell what we are planning to do or intending to do for the future. In this case, the plans are made ahead of time.
• There are really two parts to this form.
• The first part, 'BE + going', is actually a continuous tense verb—the planning is happening now. 'BE + Going' means the same as 'am planning'.
• 'To do' something. Infinitives are used for future actions (gerunds are used for present or past actions).
• Together, the phrase means, 'I am planning (now) to do something (in the future)'. |
Example
I will graduate next year.
We will have a birthday party for Jason next month. |
Example
I am going to graduate next year.
We are going to have a birthday party for Jason next month. |
'Will' is used for things that are decided at the moment of speaking about an action (a quick decision).
Example
Person A: Can I get some help lifting this box?
Person B: Oh, I will do it. |
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Predictions: The 'will' form of the future is used to make predictions about the future (what we think or believe will happen in the future). The 'will' form is like a modal in that it expresses a high degree of confidence.
Examples
Tomorrow, it will rain.
This virus will affect everyone's lives.
Other modals can be used to express lesser degrees of confidence.
Examples
It could rain tomorrow.
It should rain tomorrow. |
|
Promises: This form of the simple future is used to make promises.
Examples
I will be at the party tonight.
I will wash the dishes this afternoon.
I will pay you the money I owe you. |
|
To make the negative form of the simple future tense with 'will', we add 'not' between the helping verb 'will' and the main verb.
Examples
I will come to the party.
I will not come to the party. |
To make the negative form of the future tense with 'BE' + 'Going to', add 'not' between the helping verb 'BE' and 'going to'.
Examples
I am not going to come to the party tonight. I have an exam tomorrow.
She is not going to buy a new car. She will wait until she gets a better job. |
Writing the contracted form of the future verb.
• This is used only for speaking.
We can use a contraction if we are using a pronoun with the verb 'BE'. This can be used for either speaking or informal writing. |
Writing the contracted form of the future verb.
• This is used only for speaking.
We can use a contraction if we are using a pronoun with the verb 'BE'. This can be used for either speaking or informal writing. |
| Singular |
Plural |
Singular |
Plural |
I'll
You'll
He'll, she'll, it'll |
We'll
You'll
They'll |
I'm going to
You're going to
(He's, she's, it's) going to |
We're going to
You're going to
They're going to |
| Negative sentences: use the auxiliary verb "will" with the word "not" before the base form of the main verb. |
Negative sentences: insert "not" between the verb "BE" and "going to". |
| Singular |
Plural |
Singular |
Plural |
I will not
You will not
(He, she, it) will not |
We will not
You will not
They will not |
I am not going to
You are not going to
(He, she, it) is not going to |
We are not going to
You are not going to
They are not going to |
| To form questions, the subject and the helping verb "will" are switched. |
To form questions, the subject and the helping verb "BE" are switched. |
Examples
I will need a ticket.
Will I need a ticket?
Examples of Questions:
• Will I need a ticket?
• Will you come to my party?
• Will (he, she, it) need water on this hike?
• Will we stay in a hotel on the weekend?
• Will they come with us in our car? |
Examples
I am going to ride in the car with you.
Am I going to ride in the car with you?
Examples of Questions:
• Are you going to graduate in the spring?
• Is Ahmed going to go on the bus?
• Are we going to stay in a hotel?
• Are they going to take the train? |
Exercise: Purpose of Future Tense Verbs
Decide what purpose the verb is for following situations. Nhập ký hiệu vào ô trống: pl (Plans), pr (Prediction), prom (Promise), qd (Quick Decision).
1. The economy will do well in the next quarter.
Trả lời:
2. We will have a good time at the school dance.
Trả lời:
3. It will be sunny tomorrow.
Trả lời:
4. We are going to go to the mall this afternoon.
Trả lời:
5. Don't worry. We will finish the project by Thursday.
Trả lời:
6. We are driving to the mall right now. Do you want to come with us?
-OK, I'll come with you.
Trả lời:
7. I will graduate in the spring. I have all the credits that I need to graduate.
Trả lời:
8. If you don't wash your hands, you will likely get the flu. It is going around right now.
Trả lời:
9. I am going to play tennis on the weekend. Do you play tennis?
-Yes, I love tennis. Do you need a partner?
Trả lời:
10. We will go hiking on Saturday. The weather forecast looks good.
Trả lời:
11. I need someone to watch the dog while I go to the store. Can anyone do it for me?
-I will. I am staying here to study for the whole afternoon.
Trả lời:
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