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Future Simple

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Future Simple

Uploaded by

primus inter pares
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Future Simple

Functions of the simple future tense

The simple future refers to a time later than now, and expresses facts or certainty. In this case there is
no 'attitude'.

The simple future is used:


To predict a future event:
To express willingness:
It will rain tomorrow.
I'll do the washing-up.
With I in the interrogative form using "shall", to make an offer:
He'll carry your bag for you.
Shall I open the window?

With we in the interrogative form using "shall", to make a suggestion:


With I or We, to express a
Shall we go to the cinema tonight? spontaneous decision:

With I in the interrogative form using "shall", to ask for advice or instructions: I'll pay for the tickets by
credit card.
What shall I tell the boss about this money?

With you, to give orders:


In the negative form, to
You will do exactly as I say. express unwillingness:
With you in the interrogative form, to give an invitation: The baby won't eat his soup.
Will you come to the dance with me? I won't leave until I've seen
the manager!
Will you marry me?

Note:In modern English will is preferred to shall. Shall is mainly used with I and we to make an offer or
suggestion, or to ask for advice (see examples above). With the other persons (you, he, she, they) shall is
only used in literary or poetic situations, e.g. "With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, She shall
have music wherever she goes."

Forming the simple future

The simple future tense is composed of two parts: will / shall + the infinitive without to
Subject +will +infinitive without "to" Contractions

Affirmative Negative I will = I'll They will = they'll

I will go They will not see We will = we'll Will not = won't

I shall go They won't see You will = you'll

Interrogative Interrogative negative He will = he'll

Will she ask? Won't they try? She will = she'll

The form "it will" is not normally shortened.

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Future Simple

To see: simple future tense

Affirmative Negative Interrogative Interrogative negative

I will see I won't see Will I see? Won't I see?

*I shall see *Shall I see?

You will see You won't see Will you see? Won't you see?

He will see He won't see Will he see? Won't he see?

We will see We won't see Will we see? Won't we see?

*We shall see *Shall we see?

They will see They won't see Will they see? Won't they see?

*Shall is dated, but it is still commonly used instead of "will" with the affirmative or interrogative forms
of I and we in certain cases (see above).

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