The use of the future tense in English. Future Simple - formation and use. With expressions denoting time

There are several ways in English to talk about actions and events that will happen.

For this, we can use not only future tenses, but also other constructions.

In this article, I will tell you about 5 ways in which you can express the future tense in English.

From the article you will learn:

• Using the Present Continuous to Express Future Actions

Using Future Simple and Future Continuous

First, let's look at two tenses that are most commonly used in English. to express the future.

FutureSimpleTense- future simple tense

We use this time

1. Talk about facts in the future.

For example: "She's going to the party."

2. We express personal opinion and make predictions.

For example: "I think he will help you."

Future Simple is formed as follows:

Actor + will + action.

I
You
We		work
They	will	sleep
She		play
He
It

For example

She will fly to New York.
She will fly to New York.

I think they will come.
I think they will come.

Read more about this time in this article.

FuturecontinuousTense- future continuous tense

With the help of this tense, we talk about processes that will take place in the future. That is, we emphasize the duration of the actions that will occur.

For example

We will study for two hours.

That is, we are not just talking about what we will do (fact), but we focus on the duration of this action - it will take 2 hours (process).

She will work all night.

We emphasize the duration of the action: this action will begin in the future and will last all night before it ends.

The Future Continuous education scheme looks like this:

Actor + will be + action ending -ing.

I
You
We		playing
They	will be	swimming
She		cooking
He
It

For example

They will be playing tennis the whole morning.
They will play tennis all morning.

She will be driving a car all night long.
She'll be driving all night.

Read more about this time.

Attention! Confused by the English rules? Learn how to easily understand English grammar and learn how to use it in your speech.

Using the construction to be going to in English

The construction to be going to is translated as "going to do something."

We use it when we talk about the actions we plan to take.

That is, we say

1. About plans for the future.
2. Events that are likely to happen.

For example: "She is going to buy a new dress."

In English, such sentences are formed according to the scheme:

Actor + verb to be (am, is, are) + going to + action.

I	am
You
We	are		eat
They		going to	sleep
She			dance
He	is
It

Examples

She is going to study English.
She is going to learn English.

They are going to buy a car.
They are going to buy a car.

What is the difference between will and to be going to?

I think you noticed that the construction to be going to is similar in use to will (Future Simple). Very often they can replace each other.

But there is still a slight difference.

We use the to be going to construction when the decision is weighed and thought out in advance. That is, you have a preliminary plan to do something.

For example, you say to a friend, "I'm going to learn English."

That is, you have already decided and considered that you need English, searched for suitable courses and signed up for several introductory lessons to choose from. And now share your plans with a friend.

The Future Simple tense is usually used when you are unsure of your plans. Perhaps you made some decision right during the conversation, and you did not have time to think it over.

For example, you did not pass the interview, because you need fluent English for the job. You get upset and think: “I will learn English. Then I will definitely find a good job.”

This decision was made spontaneously, that is, at the moment you did not have time to think about it.

Reduction

Also very often in an informal setting, for example, when communicating with friends, we use the abbreviation tobegonna.

For example

She is gonna go abroad.
She is going to go abroad.

They are gonna get married.
They are going to get married.

Read more about this design.

Using the Present Simple to Express Future Actions

Present Simple Tense is translated as "simple present tense".

Even though tense is present, it can be used to express the future when we say about timetable and clear schedule.

For example

The train will arrive at 6 pm.

The plane will land at 9 am.

The bus leaves at 8 o'clock.

When we talk about a schedule, we mean a regular action, so we can say that it will happen in the future. We are sure of this because this action is repeated day after day.

Such sentences in English are formed as follows:

Actor + action.

If we are talking about someone in the singular (he, she, it), then the ending -s is added to the action.

I
You
We	arrive
They		at 4 p.m.
He
She	arrive s
It

For example

The bus departs at four o'clock.
The bus leaves at 4 o'clock.

The train arrives at 5 p.m.
The train will arrive at 5 pm.

Using the Present Continuous to Express Future Actions

Present Continuous Tense is the present continuous tense.

We can also use this time when talking about future actions.

We use this construct to convey an action in the future when we say about something that is already organized and will definitely happen.

For example

We will go to the concert tomorrow (we already have tickets and we will definitely be there).

She will arrive tomorrow (she has already bought a train ticket and will definitely arrive).

Such sentences are formed in English according to the following scheme:

Actor + am/is/are + action ending -ing.

I	am
You
We	are	playing
They		swimming
She		cooking
He	is
It

For example

She is working on Saturday.
She works on Saturday (she knows for sure that she will have to work on Saturday).

I am celebrating my birthday on the weekend.
I celebrate my birthday at the weekend (I have already organized everything and invited guests).

How to Express Future Action in English

Let's take another look at the general table of times and constructions with which we can talk about future actions.

Way	Usage	Example
Future Simple	Use when: talking about facts that will happen in the future make predictions and express your opinion	I think she will pass the exam. I think she will pass this exam.
Future Continuous	We use it when we talk about processes that will take place. We emphasize the duration of the future action.	She will be studying all night. She will practice all night.
To be going to	We use it when we talk about plans and likely events.	She is going to buy a dress. She is going to buy a dress.
present simple	We use it when we talk about a schedule and a clear schedule.	The train arrives at 7 p.m. The train will arrive at 7 pm.
Present Continuous	We use it when we talk about an organized action that will definitely happen.	We are eating at restaurant tonight. We are eating at a restaurant tonight (we already have a table booked).

So, we figured out the theory, and now let's move on to practice.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English.

1. They are going to meet friends at the weekend.
2. We are going to the cinema tonight (there are already tickets).
3. He will play football for 2 hours.
4. The plane will land at 8 pm.
5. I think she will come tomorrow.
6. She will help me tomorrow (already agreed).

13.11.2013

English can be heard anywhere in the world, because it is considered a tourist language, as travelers, coming to other countries, speak with the locals in this foreign language.

In order to be able to easily explain abroad, you should learn English. By the way, children start learning it from the 5th grade, and in specialized foreign schools - even from the 2nd grade. If a student has a desire to learn such a subject, then he has enough time.

It will be more difficult for students and adults, however, now there are many special courses that will bring you to a good level in a short time.

Learning English begins at such an early stage in life, because this language is quite difficult. His system differs from the approach used in Russian speech. But some similarities can still be noted. The specified time in English has two characteristics:

1. The future action is expressed by the verb in a specific form.
2. The presence of signs relating only to the future.

Forms of the future tense in English

The main sign of the future tense is the use of auxiliary verbs Shall or Will, which are used depending on the pronoun.

	Singular			Plural
Face	1st	2nd	3rd	1st	2nd
Pronoun	I	You	He/She/It	You	We	They
Verb form	Shall	Will	Will	Will	Shall	Will

In English, verbs are divided into four groups: simple, continuous, perfect, perfect continuous. Each of these groups has a future tense:

1. Future Simple. It is used to state the fact of an action in the future.
2. Future continuous. Used to express an ongoing action that will take place at some point in the future.
3. Future perfect. Expresses an action completed at a certain point in the future.
4. Future Perfect Continuous. Used to express an ongoing action that will be completed before a certain point in the future.

Future tense form	Example	Translation
FutureSimple	He will read a book tomorrow.	He will read a book tomorrow.
Futurecontinuous	He will be reading a book at six o'clock.	He will be reading a book at six o'clock.
FuturePerfect	He will have read the letter by six o'clock.	He will have (already) read the book by six o'clock.
FuturePerfectcontinuous	He will have been read the letter for an hour when she comes.	He will have been reading the book for (already) an hour when she comes.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the formation of the future tense using the verb to go in the Continuous form, denoting the action "I'm going to". For example, I am going to learn this language next year. (I am going to learn this language next year).

Each of the groups of the future tense has its own distinctive features, indicating at what point this or that action occurs. If you learn to recognize words related to a specific time, it will be easier to master the English language. The most popular following words:

• tomorrow, tonight
• next week / month
• soon, as soon as
• for two days / weeks
• by the time.

To master the English language, you need not only to master the theoretical material, but also to practice as much as possible. For example, you should only speak this international language abroad, and you can also read some English literature.

In English, there are several ways to express the future tense ( ways of expressing future actions). This lesson of Zatonskaya A.S. is devoted to the development of these methods.

Ways of expressing the future tense in English.

To express the future tense in English, you must use one of the following methods:

Using one of the Future tenses (will + desired verb form)

Using the Present Simple Tense.

Present Simple is used to express the future in the following speech situations:

The train leaves at 5pm in the evening.

The meeting begins at 8 sharp tomorrow.

Hockey is at 6pm.

Using the Present Continuous Tense.

Present Continuous is used to express the future tense in the following speech situations:

• to express an action planned for the near future (especially with verbs of motion),

I "m flying to Kongo next Monday. - I'm flying to the Congo next Monday.

Using phrases to be going to, to be about to.

I think, within the framework of this topic, it will be useful for you to also pay attention to the following articles:

Ways of expressing the future action. Charts and tables

I offer several diagrams and tables that will help you better understand the features of using various ways of expressing the future tense.

Table 1.

Table 2.

Ways of expressing the future tense in English. Exercises.

Like all exercises from the cycle of lessons of Zatonskaya A.S., the following exercises are based on a specific lexical topic. In this case, in addition to practicing grammar, we will also work on vocabulary on the topic Traveling.

Grammar: the ways of expressing the future action (the Future Simple Tense, the Future Continuous Tense, the Present Simple Tense, the Present Continuous Tense, phrases: to be going to, to be about to).

Lexical topic: Traveling.

Exercise 1. Open the brackets and put the verbs in the proper Tense. Remember that you should use the Future Simple Tense if you speak about the action or succession of actions which will take place in the future; if you speak about the action which will be in progress at some point in the future you should use the Future Continuous Tense. You can also use the Present Tenses.

1. … you (to go) to the booking office to buy the tickets? - No, I (to phone) them.
2. I am sure he (to be busy) when you (to come). – What makes you think so? – He (to pack) his luggage for the trip. – Really? … he (to go) anywhere?
3. I am going to visit you in July! I really want to see Jimmy – I haven't seen him for ages! – Don't even hope. When you come Jimmy (to travel) in a month-long cruise over Europe.

Exercise 2. Complete the sentences.

1. When he arrives at St. Petersburg …
2. He will buy the tickets for the express train when …
3. When his parents come to his place …
4. When you come at his place next Friday your visit will be quite out of place because he…
5. They will be going sightseeing when …
6. When he waits at the railway station tomorrow …
7. He will be hiking when …
8. When the summer comes…

Exercise 3. Translate into English.

1. When summer comes, he will travel by ship in the Mediterranean.
2. Will you follow me? - Certainly! What station are you leaving from? - From the main. Train 12, car 7. Good! I won't be late!
3. Do you know that Oleg is going to you? - Yes, it's not very lucky: when he comes, I'll just pack my bags.
4. Where are you going for holidays?

Exercise 4. Describe step by step how you hurriedly pack your things and something disturbs you from this. Don’t forget that you can use such phrases as “to be about to”, “to be going to” when you speak about the immediate future.

The pattern: “I am going to pack my things. I am just about to write a list if things when I realize I have no pen. … “

Exercise 5. You and your friends are going traveling at approximately the same time but to different places. Discuss what you are going to take with you, how you are going to spend the time there, give each other pieces of advice.

Exercise 6. Translate into English.

1. Do you already know where you will spend your summer? – Yes, I will go to the sea, just like last year. Are you going to pack as many suitcases? – No, this time I will try to be more careful with the luggage. And where are you going? - My route is simple: first, my friends and I will go hiking, and then I will go to relatives in the village - I will swim in the river and sunbathe in the sun in the countryside.
2. Husband, wife and four of their children spent the weekend in the countryside. In the evening, returning, they decided to take a taxi. "How long will you take us to Lenox Street?" the husband asked. “You and your wife for two dollars; I will take the children for free,” the driver replied. “Great, guys,” said the father, “you go home, and my mother and I will take the subway.”
3. An airplane passenger asks a flight attendant: “Are you going to give us parachutes?” - "Of course not" - "But they give lifebuoys on ships!" “But we are not at sea!” “Yes, but the number of people who can swim is much greater than the number of people who can fly!”

Exercise 7. Describe your plans for the summer.

Exercise 8. What will travel be like in the future, from your point of view? Describe it according to the following plan:

• reasons for traveling;
• season and longevity of travelling;
• means of transport;
• places to stay in;
• sightseeing; entertainment.

I hope you enjoyed this lesson and figured out how to express the future tense in English.

Future Simple Tense or Simple Future Tense in English (also known as Future Indefinite Tense or future indefinite tense) is a tense used to express actions and states that will occur singly, repeatedly or constantly in the future.

At first glance, everything is quite simple, but in order to use Future Simple grammatically and appropriately in speech, you need to study the rules of formation, forms and cases of using this tense, which we will do.

Education Future Simple is not difficult at all. For it, it is necessary to use two verbs: auxiliary and semantic. The auxiliary verb in the Future Simple or simple future tense is the verb will. It is universal, as it is suitable for all persons, both in the singular and in the plural, which greatly simplifies the understanding and use of this tense.

I	will
He
We

However, this was not always the case: in addition to the auxiliary verb will, the verb shall was also used in everyday life. It was used exclusively for 1st person pronouns (I/we). Now this version of the formation of the future indefinite tense is rare, as it is considered obsolete. It is almost impossible to find it in affirmative or negative sentences, except perhaps in any official English speech. But in questions, the verb shall is used a little more often, although preference is still given to the auxiliary verb will.

The role of a semantic verb in Future Indefinite or Simple is any verb in the form of an infinitive without the preposition to. This is another nice feature of using this tense, because the difference between regular and irregular English verbs for the active voice in the Future Simple does not matter.

Future Simple - sentence forms

Having studied the formation of the Future Simple time, one should consider the forms of sentences so as not to confuse the word order when using this time.

Forming an affirmative sentence in the Future Simple

To form an affirmative sentence, direct word order is used, where the auxiliary and semantic verbs follow the subject. Scheme for a visual example:

To avoid mistakes in the formation of this form, it is enough to take an affirmative sentence in Present Simple and put will before the semantic verb, removing the ending -s from verbs in the 3rd person.

Forming the Passive Voice with Future Simple

For the formation of the passive voice, this technique does not work. No matter how much you would like it, you can’t run away from regular and irregular verbs even with Future Simple. To build a sentence in the passive (passive) voice, in which the action is directed to the subject, it is necessary to use the verb to be after will without a preposition and the third form of the verb. The third form may vary depending on the form of the verb. It is enough to add the ending -ed to regular verbs. The wrong one is formed individually, not obeying the rule and grammar of the language. Its form can be found in the table of irregular verbs.

Forming a negative sentence in Future Simple

For the negative form, all words remain in their places, but the negative particle not is added before will. The formula for constructing a negative sentence:

Let's look at a couple more examples using a table:

Auxiliary English verbs in both forms are often used in abbreviated form. Study the table:

	Full form	Short form
+ statement	I will do. It will be announced.	I'll do. It'll be announced.
— negation	I will not listen to. She will not steal. We will not trust.	I won't listen to. She won't steal. We won't trust.

Often students confuse want and won't, pronouncing them the same way. These words are indeed pronounced similarly, since their beginning and end are identical. However, the pronunciation of the vowel in the middle is different:

Interrogative sentence formation in Future Simple

The interrogative form is formed depending on the type of question.

• In general and alternative questions, the auxiliary verb will comes before the subject:

This question requires a short answer. Answers are formed using auxiliary and semantic verbs:

A complete answer is required. Table with possible options:

To answer a special question, a full answer in the affirmative form in the Future Simple is required. Answer for the example question above:

The tag question requires a short answer with the auxiliary verb will:

1. To express an action in the indefinite future that will occur several times or on a regular basis:

1. To express an action that will take a specific period in the future:

1. The future indefinite tense is also needed to enumerate sequential actions:

I'll go up to him, give him a slap and run away.	I will go to him, give him a slap in the face and run away.
Arthur will move to Paris, find a new job and start a new life.	Arthur will move to Paris, find a new job and start a new life.

Please note that in such cases, the auxiliary verb will is used once with the first semantic verb.

1. As you may have noticed, Future Simple tenses often use specific tense markers in sentences. They help to understand what time to use in a particular situation. Companion words for Future Simple time:
   - tonight (tonight),
   - tomorrow (tomorrow),
   - the day after tomorrow (the day after tomorrow),
   - soon (soon),
   - again (again),
   - next week / month / year (next week, next month / year).

As well as phrases with the preposition in:

• in the meaning of "in": in 2020 (in 2020), in February (in February), in autumn (in autumn), in the future (in the future);

• in the meaning of "in": in 5 minutes (after 5 minutes), in a week (in a week), in 2 years (after 2 years).

1. Future Simple is used to express sudden decisions, for which there was not much time to think:

1. Also used to make predictions about future events. Often in such sentences there are words expressing (un)confidence, suspicions, fears and doubts. These include:
   - probably (probably)
   - most likely (most likely),
   - perhaps (maybe),
   - certainly (definitely),
   - definitely (definitely),
   - undoubtedly (certainly),
   - potentially (possibly):

Also with verbs:
- hope (hope),
- believe (believe),
- guess (assume),
- suppose (assume),
- think (think),
- wonder (to be interested),
- imagine (imagine),
- expect (expect) and expressions be sure / certain (to be sure) and be afraid (to be afraid).

As a rule, these words are used in a sentence in the present tense, followed by a clause in the future:

1. The verb will is often used in questions expressing a request or a proposal, where it acts as a modal verb:

1. The same modal verb is used to promise to do something or give a warning. Consider examples in the diagrams:

1. As a modal verb, will is also used to show an unwillingness to do something. Such proposals apply to the present time. In order for the interlocutor to understand the will function in such cases, the verb is emphasized intonation:

1. The obsolete form of the auxiliary verb of the simple future tense of English is appropriate in two cases:

• when we want to know the opinion of the interlocutor about something:

• if we use shall as a modal verb in the meaning of "should", in this case the word is used with all persons both in the singular and in the plural:

1. The future simple tense in English can be found very often in type 1 conditional sentences (First conditional). This type is used to show that some action in the present or future can occur, provided that another action is performed. We do not know for sure whether the condition will be met, but its implementation is theoretically real.
   Schemes of the 1st type of conditional sentences:

There are situations in English in which the use of the simple future tense is acceptable in both parts, but such cases can be counted on one hand. So, for example, this option is possible:

• To make a polite request:

• To emphasize that the action must be done diligently until you achieve your goal:

1. Future Simple Tense is also used in indirect sentences with conjunctions whether or if in the meaning of "whether". In such a construction, the main clause is used in the present tense, and the subordinate clause is used in the future:

1. A rare case is the use of Future Simple in situations where the rules of use define the times of Present Simple and Present Continuous and the construction be going to, which is also used to show future actions.

1. Let's take a closer look at the difference between Future Simple and be going to constructions, which are used to express future actions. The construction be going to is used in cases where the action is thought out, there is probably some plan for its implementation. Future Simple is responsible for actions in which you are not completely sure, as well as for those actions that are based on a sudden decision.

However, these nuances are not always respected, and therefore the construction to be going to and the time of Future Simple are often interchanged.

Using Future Simple Tense in English is quite simple. Even if you find it difficult initially to build sentences quickly in your head, with constant practice, repetition of the rules, and making up your own examples, you will quickly bring this time to automatism.

Views: 600

The affirmative form of Simple Future/Future Indefinite Tense - future simple/indefinite tense - is formed using auxiliary verbs shall/will + infinitive without to for first person singular and plural and auxiliary verb will + infinitive without to for all other persons singular and plural.

I shall go there tomorrow. I will go there tomorrow.
He will write a new article for our magazine. He will write a new article for our magazine.

I shall cook	We shall cook
You will cook	You will cook
He/she/it will cook	They will cook

Note:
Many English people in affirmative and negative sentences, especially in colloquial speech, prefer to use will rather than shall in the first person, because will emphasizes the intention, desire, etc. of the speaker, especially at the moment of expressing intention when solving something urgent, sudden. For example, you went to the store, saw something interesting and immediately decided to buy it:

I will buy it. I will buy it. (I want to have it; in Russian, you can also convey it in the present tense, “I buy it, I take it.”)

Compare:

I shall be there. I will be there. (Simple statement of fact.)
I will be there. I will be there. (I intend to be there, I want to, I will definitely be there.)

Note. In case of doubt about the use of shall or will in this particular case, it is recommended to use will.

Negative form the future simple/indefinite tense is formed by a negative particle not, which is placed after the auxiliary verb shall or will before the main verb.

I shall/will not go there. I won't go there.

In interrogative-negative sentences, only the first abbreviated form or the full form is used without any abbreviations.

Won't you wait a little, please, or will you come here tomorrow?
Wait a little, please, or come here tomorrow?

Note:
In general matters shall And will often do not have a future tense. Shall is used with a modal meaning to express the speaker's desire to receive instructions or orders from his interlocutor.

Will or won't are used to express a polite form or invitation.

Will you clean the blackboard, please? Please erase from the board.
Won't you read, please? Please read.

Using the Future Simple

The future simple/indefinite tense is used:

• 1. To express a once or repeatedly repeated action that will happen in the future. At the same time, unlike modally colored forms, the speaker's special attitude to the future action is not expressed - it is simply stated as an action that will take place in the future. Such sentences usually have expressions denoting time, for example: tomorrow - Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow - day after tomorrow, tonight- tonight, next day (week, month, year) - the next day(next week, next month, year), in… days (hours) - in… days(hours), etc.

I'll call you tonight. I will call you tonight.
The first academic term will end in ten days. The first academic semester will end in 10 days.

• 2. To describe the natural course of events, habitual actions that must take place in the future.

Summer will come soon. Summer will come soon.
Students will make plans for the vacation. Students will make plans for the holidays.

• 3. To express an action that will take place under certain circumstances and conditions. Often these conditions and circumstances are expressed in conditional and temporary subordinate clauses with conjunctions if, when etc., sometimes in subordinate clauses of purpose.

If I drop this glass it will break. If I drop this glass, it will break.
When it gets warmer the snow will start to melt. When it warms up, the snow will melt.

• 4. Usually in combination with adverbs, modal introductory words and expressions, meaning assumptions, doubts, probabilities, etc., to express an opinion, assumption, reflection of the speaker about the future. These are verbs: to think - think, to know- know, to believe believe, to suppose - assume to feel sure feel confident, to expect- expect, to hope- hope, to be afraid - afraid and others, as well as the words: probably - probably, possibly - Maybe, perhaps - May be and etc.

He'll work hard, I am sure. I'm sure it will work well.
They'll probably wait for us. They will probably wait for us.