A2 Grammar Tenses

Future Simple (will + verb)

The future simple uses will plus the base verb to talk about the future: I will call you tonight. It expresses predictions, instant decisions, promises, offers and refusals, and it is one of the first future forms learners meet.

The future simple is formed with the modal verb will followed by the base form of the main verb: will + verb. It does not change for person, so I will, she will and they will all look the same. In speech and informal writing, will almost always shrinks to the contraction 'll: I'll, she'll, we'll. This is the simplest way to talk about future time in English, and it appears constantly in everyday conversation.

Although it is called a "tense", English has no true future tense ending; instead it borrows the modal will. Understanding exactly when to choose will rather than going to or the present continuous is the skill that separates a confident speaker from a hesitant one.

Forming the Future Simple

The pattern is identical for every subject. Add not after will for negatives, and put will before the subject for questions.

Form Structure Example
Positive subject + will + verb She will arrive at six.
Negative subject + will not (won't) + verb They won't come.
Question will + subject + verb? Will you help me?
Short answer Yes, ... will / No, ... won't Yes, I will. / No, I won't.

When to Use the Future Simple

The future simple covers several distinct meanings. The same words, I'll go, can be a prediction, a promise or an instant decision depending on the situation.

Use Example
Prediction (opinion, no evidence)I think it will rain tomorrow.
Instant decision (made now)The phone's ringing. I'll get it.
PromiseI won't tell anyone, I promise.
OfferI'll carry that bag for you.
RefusalShe won't listen to me.
Future factThe sun will rise at 5 a.m.

The "decided now" test: if the speaker decides at the moment of speaking, use will. If the plan was made earlier, use going to. "We're out of milk." "Oh, I'll buy some" (decided now) vs "I'm going to buy milk this afternoon" (already planned).

Will vs Going To

This is the most common source of confusion. Both refer to the future, but they signal different things about how sure or planned the action is.

Use will for Use going to for
Predictions based on opinionPredictions based on present evidence
I think Spain will win.Look at those clouds — it's going to rain.
Decisions made while speakingPlans and intentions decided before
I'll have the soup.I'm going to start a new job.

Words That Go With the Future Simple

Certain time expressions and verbs often accompany will:

Common Mistakes

Practice Exercises

Grammar Quiz

Choose will or won't for each future situation.

Cloze Dropdown

Pick will or going to to complete each sentence.

Complete the Sentence

Write predictions and promises with will.

Matching Pairs

Match each situation with the right future use.

Unjumble

Reorder words into future simple questions.

Flash Cards

Drill will, won't and time markers.

Master English Tenses

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Explore related grammar topics:

All Grammar Topics Future Tenses Future Continuous Future Perfect Conditionals

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you form the future simple?
Use will plus the base form of the verb, the same for every subject: I will go, she will go, they will go. In speech will usually contracts to 'll (I'll go), and the negative is will not or won't.
When do we use the future simple with will?
Use will for predictions based on opinion (I think it will rain), instant decisions made while speaking (I'll get the phone), promises (I won't be late), offers (I'll help you) and refusals (The car won't start).
What is the difference between will and going to?
Use will for decisions made at the moment of speaking and for opinion-based predictions. Use going to for plans decided earlier and for predictions based on present evidence: Look at the clouds — it's going to rain versus I think it will rain.
How do you make negatives in the future simple?
Put not after will: will not, contracted to won't. So I will go becomes I won't go. The main verb stays in its base form and never adds an ending.
How do you ask questions in the future simple?
Move will in front of the subject: Will you help me? Will it rain tomorrow? Short answers use will or won't: Yes, I will. No, it won't. The main verb stays in the base form.
Can I use will after if and when?
No. In time and conditional clauses with if, when, after and as soon as, use the present simple: When I arrive, I will call you, not When I will arrive. The will goes only in the main clause.
Does will change for he, she or it?
No. Will is a modal verb, so it is identical for every subject and never adds -s: he will, she will, it will. The mistake she wills go is incorrect; the right form is she will go.
What time expressions go with the future simple?
Common markers include tomorrow, next week, next year, soon, later, in the future, one day and in 2030. Predicting words such as think, believe, expect, hope and probably also signal the future simple: I expect she will win.
What is shall and how is it different from will?
Shall is an old-fashioned alternative to will with I and we. Today it survives mainly in offers and suggestions: Shall I open the window? Shall we go? For ordinary future statements, will is far more common.
Is will the only way to talk about the future?
No. English uses several forms: will for predictions and instant decisions, going to for plans and evidence, the present continuous for fixed arrangements (I'm meeting Sam at five) and the present simple for timetables (The train leaves at nine).