Among the basic English tenses, the Simple Future Tense is widely used not only in everyday communication but also in English proficiency exams, especially in the IELTS test. Mastering the Simple Future Tense will help you improve your score and avoid losing points due to common mistakes.
Let us explore everything about the Simple Future Tense with IDP, including its structure, usage rules, and how to conjugate verbs in this tense. And if you already feel confident in your knowledge, register for the IELTS test with IDP today.
1. What is the Simple Future Tense?
The Simple Future Tense is used to describe a decision or spontaneous plan that will happen in the future. It can also be used to make predictions, invitations, offers, or polite requests.
Examples:
I will come between twelve and one o'clock.
Will you take a picture of us?
They will play an unchanged team in Saturdays game.
2. Structure of the Simple Future Tense
Sentence Type | With "to be" verbs | With regular verbs |
|---|---|---|
Affirmative | Subject + will + be + Noun/Adjective | Subject + will + base verb + Object |
Example | A model railway mart will be held on Friday. | Mr. Brown will speak now. |
Negative | Subject + will not + be + Noun/Adjective | Subject + will not + base verb |
Example | Old love will not be forgotten. | We will not clean the house this weekend. |
Yes/No Q | Will + Subject + be + Noun/Adjective? | Will + Subject + base verb? |
Example | Will the company be successful in the market? | Will you please spell your name for me? |
WH- Question | WH-word + will + Subject + base verb? | Example: How will she come home next month? |
3. Signal Words for the Simple Future Tense
Look for the following time expressions and verbs that indicate the use of the Simple Future Tense:
Time Indicators:
in + time (in 10 minutes)
next day, next week, next month, next year
tomorrow
Examples:
He will call you back in 30 minutes.
My mom will go to the dentist tomorrow.
Opinion verbs:
believe
think
suppose
assume
promise
expect
hope
Examples:
I promise I will do my duty.
I do not suppose I will ever see her again.
Opinion adverbs:
maybe
probably
perhaps
supposedly
Examples:
Perhaps they will invest in real estate.
Maybe he will change his career path.
4. Uses of the Simple Future Tense
Use the Simple Future Tense in the following cases:
Use Case | Example |
|---|---|
Describing an action after the present moment | I forgot to lock the door. I will go back to check it. |
Making a prediction without clear evidence | Maybe she will become a famous artist. |
Making a request or invitation | Will you all join in singing the refrain? |
Making a promise | I promise I will always support you. |
Giving a warning | Darling, go now, or you will be late. |
Offering to help | Will I teach you how to use this software? |
First conditional sentence | She will race if she gets medical clearance from her doctor. |
5. Simple Future vs. Near Future
Many learners confuse Simple Future (will) with Near Future (be going to). Here is how to distinguish them:
Simple Future (will) | Near Future (be going to) |
|---|---|
Used for spontaneous decisions or uncertain predictions | Used for actions already planned with clear intention |
Structure: Subject + will + base verb | Structure: Subject + be + going to + base verb |
Example: I think it will rain tomorrow. | Example: We are going to have a meeting at 8 AM. |
6. Other Future Structures with Similar Meanings
Besides the Simple Future tense, you can also use the following structures to talk about future actions:
Structure | Usage and Example |
|---|---|
Subject + look forward to + V-ing/Noun | Expresses anticipation for a future event |
Example: We look forward to hearing from you soon. | |
Subject + hope + to + V | Expresses desire for something to happen in the future |
Example: I hope for this book to become a bestseller. | |
Be + to + base verb | Refers to planned or arranged future events |
Example: The conference is to take place in Vietnam. | |
Be likely to + base verb | Indicates possibility in the future |
Example: Unemployment is likely to rise this year. | |
Be sure/bound/certain to + V | Expresses certainty about a future event |
Example: She is sure to get the job she wants. |
7. Simple Future Tense Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Rewrite using Simple Future Tense and the given prompts
If / you / not / study / hard /, you / not / pass / final / exam
they / come / tomorrow?
rains / it / he / home / if / stay
I am / she / able / afraid / to / be / come / to / party / not
You / look / tired, / so / I / bring / you / something / eat
Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks using the correct form (will or be going to)
I am afraid I ………… (not be) able to come tomorrow.
Because of the train strike, the meeting ………… (not take) place at 9 o'clock.
A: Go and tidy your room. B: Okay. I ………… (do) it now.
If it rains, we ………… (not go) to the beach.
In my opinion, she ………… (not pass) the exam.
A: I am driving to the party. Would you like a lift? B: Thank you, but I ………… (take) the bus.
Look at the sky It ………… (rain) very heavily.
The company ………… (hold) an important meeting next month.
According to the weather forecast, it ………… (not snow) tomorrow.
I think I ………… (go) study abroad.
Exercise 3: Convert Yes/No questions to WH- questions
Will I go? → Where will I go?
Will you come early? → When will you come?
Will it be cold? → When will it be cold?
Will she dance? → Where will she dance?
Will he arrive soon? → When will he arrive?
Will we cook? → What will we cook?
Will they leave? → When will they leave?
Answer Key
Exercise 1:
If you do not study hard, you will not pass the final exam.
Will you come tomorrow?
If it rains, he will stay home.
I am afraid she will not be able to come to the party.
You look tired, so I will bring you something to eat.
Exercise 2:
will not be
will not take
will do
will not go
will not pass
will take
is going to rain
is going to hold
is not going to snow
am going to
Exercise 3:
Where will I go?
When will you come?
When will it be cold?
Where will she dance?
When will he arrive?
What will we cook?
When will they leave?
Master the Simple Future Tense with IDP
Reviewing IELTS grammar topics early is essential for success, especially when improving your writing and speaking skills. If you want to strengthen your knowledge beyond the Simple Future Tense, explore the complete collection of free IELTS resources from IDP. These will help you get familiar with the test format and build grammar and vocabulary skills effectively.
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