Future tense - 1
future with will - form
The simple future tense is very easy to make and is very useful.
In spoken English, emails and personal letters, more often than not 'll is used.
However, in business and other formal texts, the full form will is used.
Here's the positive form (will + infinitive):
- I will meet him later (I'll ..)
- You will come (you'll ..)
- It will rain tomorrow (it'll ..)
- She will be late (she'll ..)
- He will help us later (he'll ..)
- We will get married in September (we'll ..)
- They will cook dinner (they'll ..)
Next, here's the negative form (add: not).
In spoken English, emails and personal letters, more often than not won't is used.
However, in business and juridical texts, the full form will not is used.
Here's the negative form (not):
- I will not go (I won't ..)
- You will not be late (you won't ..)
- It will not snow tomorrow (it won't ..)
- She will not get the job (she won't ..)
- He will not pass the exam (he won't ..)
- We will not come (we won't ..)
- They will not stop (they won't ..)
Here's the question form:
yes / no questions:
- Will I go?
- Will you come early?
- Will it be cold?
- Will she dance?
- Will he arrive soon?
- Will we cook?
- Will they leave?
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wh questions:
- Where will I go?
- Why will you come early?
- When will it be cold?
- Who will she dance with?
- What time will he arrive?
- What will we cook?
- When will they leave?
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Future tense - 2
future with will - use
We use the simple future for:
1. A decision at the moment of speaking (a spontaneous action):
I'm cold.
I'll close the window.
2. Prediction based on opinion:
I think the Conservatives will win the next election.
3. A future fact:
The sun will rise at 7am.
4. Promises / requests / refusal / willingness:
I'll help you with your homework.
Will you give me a hand?
I will give up smoking!
Shall is used mainly in the forms shall I? and shall we? in British English.
These forms are used when you want to get someone's opinion, especially for offers and suggestions:
- Shall I open the window? (= do you want me to open the window).
- Where shall we go tonight? (= what's your opinion?).
We use be going to + infinitive for:
1. Future plans made before the moment of speaking:
We've run out of milk.
I know, I'm going to buy some.
2. Prediction based on present evidence:
Look at those boys playing football! They're going to break the window.
