Tenses:
Comprehensive Guide on Future Simple Tense Verbs for ELL
What is the future simple tense?
Where in a sentence is a modal verb commonly placed?
What are examples of future simple statements?
What are examples of future simple negative statements?
What are examples of future simple questions?
What are good examples of the future simple tense?
Where can I learn more about the modal will and how to express the future?
What is the future simple tense?
The future simple tense in English is a sentence construction used to express a future state OR an action that will begin and end in the future.
English verbs are not inflected to express the future. This means the spelling of the main verb is not changed to express the future. Instead, a modal (auxiliary verb) is used to express the future. Will is a common modal verb used for the future.
Where in a sentence is a modal verb commonly placed?
- Statement: subject + modal + base verb
- Negative Statement: subject + modal + “not” + base form
- Question: modal + subject + base verb
What are examples of future simple statements?
- Future Simple Statement: subject + modal will + base verb
Present Simple Statement
- I am at school every day.
- You see Alison all the time.
- He buys the food for every party.
- She gets good grades on her tests.
- It belongs to me.
- We are there on Wednesdays.
- They meet in the park once a month.
Future Simple Statement with Modal Will
- I will be at school tomorrow.
- You will see Alison later today.
- He’ll buy the food for tomorrow’s party.
- She will get a good grade on her upcoming test.
- It will belong to me by tomorrow.
- We’ll be there next Wednesday.
- They will meet in the park tonight.
What are examples of future simple negative statements?
- Future Simple Negative Statement: subject + modal will + “not” + base form
- Contraction: will + not = won’t
Future Simple
- I will be at school tomorrow.
- You will see Alison later.
- He will buy the food.
- She will get a good grade.
- It will belong to me then.
- We will be there Tuesday.
- They will meet in the park.
Future Simple Negative
- I will not be at school tomorrow.
- You will not see Alison later.
- He will not buy the food.
- She will not get a good grade.
- It will not belong to me then.
- We will not be there Tuesday.
- They will not meet in the park.
Future Simple Negative
with Contraction
- I won’t be at school tomorrow.
- You won’t see Alison later.
- He won’t buy the food.
- She won’t get a good grade.
- It won’t belong to me then.
- We won’t be there Tuesday.
- They won’t meet in the park.
What are examples of future simple questions?
- Question: modal will + subject + base verb
Future Simple with Modal Will
- I will be at school tomorrow.
- You will see Alison later today.
- He will buy the food for tomorrow’s party.
- She will get a good grade on her upcoming test.
- It will belong to me by tomorrow.
- We will be there next Wednesday.
- They will meet in the park tonight.
Future Simple Question – Modal Will
- Will I be at school tomorrow.
- Will you see Alison later today.
- Will he buy the food for tomorrow’s party.
- Will she get a good grade on her upcoming test.
- Will it belong to me by tomorrow.
- Will we be there next Wednesday.
- Will they meet in the park tonight.
What are good examples of the future simple tense?
More Examples of Future Simple Tense (with Modal Will)
- I will be here the rest of the day?
- They will be at the restaurant later?
- You will not see me at practice next week?
- We will not see you again?
- We won’t do that again?
- We won’t have time to go to the store?
- Will you be able to come to my party?
- Will you think about my idea?
Where can I learn more about the modal will and how to express the future?
To learn more about modals and different ways to express the future visit: Language Use/Talking About the Future
