The Simple Future Tense

The Simple Future Tense (will / be going to)


## 1. What is the simple future tense?


We use the **simple future** to talk about:


1. Things that will happen **later** (not now, not past).  

2. Our **plans**, **decisions**, **predictions**, and **offers**.


In English, A2 learners usually use **two main forms**:


- **will**  

- **be going to**



## 2. Form (How to make the future)


### 2.1. Using **will**


**Positive:**


> subject + will + base verb


- I **will go**.  

- She **will work** tomorrow.  

- They **will travel** next year.


**Short form (contraction):**


- I will = **I’ll**  

- You will = **You’ll**  

- He will = **He’ll**  

- She will = **She’ll**  

- It will = **It’ll**  

- We will = **We’ll**  

- They will = **They’ll**


Example:

- I’ll call you later.

- They’ll arrive at 7.


**Negative:**


> subject + will not + base verb  


**will not = won’t**


- I **won’t go**.  

- He **won’t come** tonight.  

- We **won’t be** late.


**Questions:**


> Will + subject + base verb …?


- **Will** you **come**?  

- **Will** she **help** me?  

- **Will** they **be** at home?


**Short answers:**


- Yes, I will. / No, I won’t.  

- You will = **You’ll**  

- He will = **He’ll**  

- She will = **She’ll**  

- It will = **It’ll**  

- We will = **We’ll**  

- They will = **They’ll**


Example:

- I’ll call you later.

- They’ll arrive at 7.


**Negative:**


> subject + will not + base verb  


**will not = won’t**


- I **won’t go**.  

- He **won’t come** tonight.  

- We **won’t be** late.


**Questions:**


> Will + subject + base verb …?


- **Will** you **come**?  

- **Will** she **help** me?  

- **Will** they **be** at home?


**Short answers:**


- Yes, I will. / No, I won’t.  

- Yes, she will. / No, she won’t.  


---


### 2.2. Using **be going to**


**Remember: “be” = am / is / are**


**Positive:**


> subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb


- I **am going to study**.  

- He **is going to play** football.  

- They **are going to visit** their grandparents.


**Short form:**


- I am = **I’m**  

- You are = **You’re**  

- He is = **He’s**  

- She is = **She’s**  

- It is = **It’s**  

- We are = **We’re**  

- They are = **They’re**


Examples:

- I’m going to watch a movie.  

- She’s going to buy a new phone.  


**Negative:**


> subject + am/is/are + not + going to + base verb


- I **am not going to eat** dessert.  

- He **isn’t going to come**.  

- They **aren’t going to study** tonight.


**Questions:**


> Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + base verb …?


- **Are** you **going to travel** this summer?  

- **Is** she **going to cook** dinner?  

- **Am** I **going to pass** the exam?


**Short answers:**


- Yes, I am. / No, I’m not.  

- Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t.  

- Yes, they are. / No, they aren’t.



## 3. When to use **will**


### 3.1. Quick decisions (decision at the moment of speaking)


You decide **now**, not before.


- The phone is ringing. → **I’ll answer it.**  

- I’m thirsty. → **I’ll get** some water.  

- You’re cold. → **I’ll close** the window.


We usually do **not** plan these before. We decide while talking.


Complete the sentences with **’ll** (will) or **won’t** and the correct verb from the box.  

(answer / open / get / call / close / help)


1. The doorbell is ringing. I ________ it.  

2. You look tired. I ________ you with the dishes.  

3. It’s hot in here. I ________ the window.  

4. I forgot my phone. I ________ you later from the office.  

5. I’m thirsty. I ________ some water.  

6. Don’t worry, I ________ the door for you.



### 3.2. Promises and offers


**Promises:**


- I **won’t tell** anyone.  

- I **will always love** you.  

- I **will call** you every day.


**Offers:**


- **I’ll help** you with your homework.  

- **I’ll carry** your bag.  

- **We’ll show** you the way.


Write **P** for promise or **O** for offer.


7. I’ll carry that heavy box for you. ____  

8. I won’t tell anyone your secret. ____  

9. I’ll always support you. ____  

10. I’ll make you some tea. ____  

11. I’ll call you every evening. ____  

12. I’ll help you with your project. ____



### 3.3. Predictions (what you think will happen)


Often with **think**, **probably**, **maybe**, **I’m sure**, etc.


- I **think it will rain** tomorrow.  

- She **will probably be** late.  

- I’m sure you **will pass** the test.  

- Maybe they **will move** to another city.


Complete the sentences with **will** and the verb in brackets.


13. I think it ________ (rain) this afternoon.  

14. She will probably ________ (be) late.  

15. I’m sure you ________ (do) well in the exam.  

16. Maybe they ________ (move) to another country.  

17. I don’t think he ________ (come) to the party.  

18. I’m sure we ________ (have) a great time on holiday.




## 4. When to use **be going to**


### 4.1. Plans and intentions (decided before speaking)


You decided **earlier**, before you speak now.


- I’m going to visit my friend next week.  

- She’s going to start a new job.  

- We’re going to buy a car this year.


You have the **intention** to do it; it is your plan.


Verbs:  

visit / study / cook / buy / travel / call / play


Complete the sentences with one of the verbs above and the correct form of “be going to”. (Use: am/is/are + going to + verb.)


1. I ____________ ____________ my grandparents this weekend.  

2. She ____________ ____________ English for her exam tomorrow.  

3. They ____________ ____________ dinner for their friends tonight.  

4. We ____________ ____________ a new laptop next month.  

5. He ____________ ____________ his cousin later this afternoon.  

6. My friends ____________ ____________ football after school.  

7. Where ____________ you ____________ on your next holiday?  


---


### 4.2. Predictions based on what you can see now


You see a **sign**, **evidence**, or **situation** now.


- Look at those dark clouds. It’s **going to rain**.  

- She’s studying a lot. She’s **going to pass** the exam.  

- Be careful! You’re **going to fall**.  


You use **be going to** when there is something **now** that shows the future.


**Exercise: “Be going to” for predictions you can see now**


Complete each sentence with the correct form of **be going to** and the verb in brackets. 


1. Look at that banana. It’s very brown. It __________ (go) bad.

2. She’s smiling and holding a suitcase. She __________ (travel) somewhere.  

3. Be careful! That glass is on the edge of the table. It __________ (fall).  

4. He’s studying very hard for the test. He __________ (do) well.  

5. The players look tired and the other team is strong. They __________ (lose) the game.  

6. Look at that car! It’s going too fast. It __________ (crash).  

7. She has her coat on and the door is open. She __________ (leave).  

8. The baby is crying loudly and rubbing his eyes. He __________ (sleep).  

9. Those people are standing at the bus stop and checking their watches. They __________ (catch) the bus.  

10. The sun is setting and the sky is getting dark. It __________ (be) night soon.  



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## 5. **Will** vs **Be going to** (simple explanation)


For A2 level, use this guide:


1. **Decision now / offer / promise → will**

   - I’m tired. → I’ll go to bed. (decision now)  

   - Don’t worry, I’ll help you. (offer)  


2. **Plan from before → be going to**

   - I’m going to visit my parents this weekend. (planned before)  

   - We’re going to have a party on Friday. (arranged plan)


3. **Prediction from opinion → will**

   - I think she will win.  


4. **Prediction from what you see now → be going to**

   - She’s driving very fast. She’s going to have an accident.




## 6. Time expressions for the future


These words often show that the sentence is in the future:


- **tomorrow**  

- **next** week / month / year / Friday / summer  

- **in** two days / three weeks / five years  

- **soon**  

- **later**  

- **tonight**  

- **this** afternoon / evening / weekend


Examples:


- I’ll see you **tomorrow**.  

- We’re going to travel **next month**.  

- She will start a new job **soon**.  


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## 6. Practice 


**Will** or **Be going to?**  

Complete the sentences with **’ll / will** or **am / is / are going to** and the verb in brackets.


1. A: I’m very thirsty.  

   B: I __________ (get) you some water.


2. Look at those dark clouds! It __________ (rain).


3. A: Why are you buying flowers?  

   B: I __________ (visit) my grandmother this afternoon.


4. Don’t worry, I __________ (carry) your bag.


5. She’s studying a lot. I think she __________ (pass) the exam.


6. We __________ (have) a barbecue on Saturday. We invited all our friends yesterday.


7. Be careful! The baby __________ (fall) off the chair!


8. A: I’m hungry.  

   B: I __________ (make) you a sandwich.


9. They bought tickets last week. They __________ (fly) to Rome on Monday.


10. I’m sure it __________ (be) a great party.



**Extra: Choose the correct option**


11. Look at that boy on the bike! He (will / is going to) fall.  

12. I think our team (will / is going to) win the match.  

13. We decided yesterday: we (will / are going to) paint the kitchen tomorrow.  

14. A: The bag is heavy.  

    B: I (will / am going to) help you.  

15. We (will / are going to) visit my aunt next weekend. We planned it last month.




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