Simple Future Tense: Definition, Rules and Useful Examples

Simple Future Tense!  In this section, we will be looking at the various rules surrounding the use of the simple future tense and delving into much greater detail.

Simple Future Tense

If you wish to speak about an event that will happen in the future then you will need to use the simple future tense. This is a great way of adding knowledge of the English language which will enable you to talk in much more detail about things such as your future plans or things that you know are coming up.

The simple future tense indicates that an action is in the future relative to the speaker or writer. There are no inflected forms for the future in English (nothing like those –ed or -s endings in the other tenses).

The formula for the future simple is will + V(Base form).

Positive Sentence

S + will + V(Base form) + object…

Example:

I will go to Thailand.

Negative Sentence

S + will not/won’t + V(Base form) + object…

Example:

I will not go to Thailand.

Question form

Will + S + V(Base form) +…?

Example:

Will you go to Thailand?

How to Use the Simple Future Tense

Learn how and when to use the future simple tense in English with helpful grammar rules, example sentences, videos and ESL worksheets. 

The future simple tense is used:

For Actions Decided at the moment of Speech

Example:

I have a toothache. I‘ll take a medicine.

For Unplanned Future Actions

Example:

Winter will come soon.

For Offering, Asking for a Request Promising, Ordering, Threatening

Example:

I’m afraid we will get wet.

For Unpreventable Actions in Future

Example:

Summer will come soon.

With Conditional, Time and Purpose Clauses

Example:

When I arrive at home, I will call you.

For Thoughts, Predictions, Assumptions, Sureness, Fears about Future

Example:

I promise I won’t tell this anyone.

Simple Future Tense Chart | Picture

Pin

Pin

All Verb Tenses

Learn all (12) tenses in English with useful grammar rules, examples and ESL worksheets.

Verb Tenses Chart

• Present Simple Tense
• Present Continuous Tense
• Present Perfect Tense
• Present Perfect Continuous Tense
• Past Simple Tense
• Past Continuous Tense
• Past Perfect Tense
• Past Perfect Continuous Tense
• Simple Future Tense
• Future Continuous Tense
• Future Perfect Tense
• Future Perfect Continuous

• About
• Latest Posts

7ESL

English Language Experts at 7ESL have carefully written, polished, and examined this lesson. 7ESL is an English-learning app that prides itself on providing top-notch educational content to students all over the world. We boast a team of expert tutors, teachers, writers, and editors who are passionate about helping students meet their language-learning targets.

Latest posts by 7ESL (see all)

• Where vs. Were: Understanding the Key Differences as Explained by Experts - May 17, 2023
• Verb Forms: What Are the Forms of a Verb in English? - February 17, 2023
• Capital Letters: Using Capital Letters with Proper and Common Nouns - June 3, 2021