FUTURE TENSE

The definition of future tense

The future tense is a verb form that marks the event described by the verb as not having happened yet, but expected to happen in the future or to happen subsequent to some other event, whether that is past, present, or future.

The simple future is used :

to talk about things that will happen at a time later than now.

Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to." Although the two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two very different meanings. These different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but with time and practice, the differences will become clear. Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific time in the future.

FORM Will

[S + will + verb1]

Examples:

You will help him later.

Will you help him later?

You will not help him later.

FORM Be Going To

[S + to be (am/is/are) + going to + verb]

Examples:

You are going to meet Sarry tonight.

Are you going to meet Sarry tonight?

You are not going to meet Sarry tonight.

USE 1 "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action

"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use "will" to respond to someone else's complaint or request for help. We also use "will" when we request that someone help us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use "will not" or "won't" when we refuse to voluntarily do something.

Examples:

• I will send you the information when I get it.

• I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.

• Will you help me move this heavy table?

• Will you make dinner?

• I will not do your homework for you.

• I won't do all the housework myself!

• A: I'm really hungry.
B: I'll make some sandwiches.

• A: I'm so tired. I'm about to fall asleep.
B: I'll get you some coffee.

• A: The phone is ringing.
B: I'll get it.

USE 2 "Will" to Express a Promise

"Will" is usually used in promises.

Examples:

• I will call you when I arrive.

• If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure everyone has access to inexpensive health insurance.

• I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.

• Don't worry, I'll be careful.

• I won't tell anyone your secret.

USE 3 "Be going to" to Express a Plan

"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person intends to do something in the future. It does not matter whether the plan is realistic or not.

Examples:

• He is going to spend his vacation in India.

• She is not going to spend her vacation in India.

• A: When are we going to meet each other tonight?
B: We are going to meet at 7 PM.

• I'm going to be an actor when I grow up.

• Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.

• They are going to drive all the way to Alaska.

• Who are you going to invite to the party?

• A: Who is going to make Jono's birthday cake?
B: Sue is going to make Jono's birthday cake.

USE 4 "Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction

Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction about the future. Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future. In "prediction" sentences, the subject usually has little control over the future and therefore USES 1-3 do not apply. In the following examples, there is no difference in meaning.

Examples:

• The year 2223 will be a very interesting year.

• The year 2223 is going to be a very interesting year.

• Anne Smith will be the next President.

• Anne Smith is going to be the next President.

• The movie "Zenith" will win several Academy Awards.

• The movie "Zenith" is going to win several Academy Awards.

IMPORTANT

In the Simple Future, it is not always clear which USE the speaker has in mind. Often, there is more than one way to interpret a sentence's meaning.

No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Simple Future cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Simple Future, Simple Present is used.

Examples:

• When you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Not Correct

• When you arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

• You will never help him.

• Will you ever help him?

• You are never going to meet Jane.

• Are you ever going to meet Jane?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

• John will finish the work by 5:00 PM. Active

• The work will be finished by 5:00 PM. Passive

• Sally is going to make a beautiful dinner tonight. Active

• A beautiful dinner is going to be made by Sally tonight. Passive

• The Formula with verb sentence :

• Positive (+): S + will/shall + V1 + object

• Negative (-): S + will/shall + not + V1 + object

• Interrogative (?): Will/shall + S + V1 + object

• Example :

• nhiya will visit tokyo(+)

• Kajol will not visit India(-)

• Will shasya visit china? (?)

• The formula with nominal sentence :

• Positive (+): S + will/shall + be +complement

• Negative (-): S + will/shall + not + complement

• Interrogative (?): will/shall + S + complement