How to use simple future properly

What is simple future

The simple future tense is a verb form used to describe actions or events that will occur after the present moment. It is commonly structured with will + the base form of the verb or am/is/are going to + the base form. For example: "She will call you tomorrow," or "They are going to travel to Spain next summer." In these sentences, will call and are going to travel are simple future verbs, indicating plans or predictions.

The simple future is categorized into predictions ("It will rain tomorrow"), spontaneous decisions ("I will answer the phone"), and planned intentions ("We are going to move"). These forms differ in usage: will often expresses uncertainty or instant choices, while going to emphasizes premeditated plans. Additionally, it includes affirmative ("I will go"), negative ("I will not go"), and interrogative ("Will you go?") forms, each altering sentence structure for clarity or emphasis.

Some most common uses of simple future verbs in English

Below are some most frequent used English simple future verbs.

Will call (to contact by phone)

Will finish (to complete)

Will attend (to be present)

Will send (to dispatch)

Will decide (to make a choice)

Will start (to begin)

Will help (to assist)

Will meet (to encounter)

Will return (to come back)

Will discuss (to talk about)

In formal contexts, simple future verbs like will commence ("The ceremony will commence at noon") or shall proceed ("We shall proceed with the plan") are typical. Informal usage favors contractions or casual phrases, such as 'll text ("I 'll text you later") or gonna visit ("They are gonna visit us"). Regional variations exist: British English may use shall in questions ("Shall we go?"), while American English prefers will or should ("Should we go?"), both meaning "Do you agree to go?"

When to use simple future

The simple future is appropriate for predictions ("The team will win the match"), spontaneous decisions ("I will take the blue one"), or planned events ("She is going to graduate next year"). It also expresses promises ("I will always support you") or future facts ("The sun will rise tomorrow"). For example: "They will arrive by 8 PM," "He is going to start a new job," or "We will never forget this moment."

Misusing the tense can confuse intent. Saying "I will go to the gym every day" instead of "I am going to go" inaccurately implies spontaneity rather than a plan. Avoid using will for immediate arrangements ("I will meet her now" -> "I am meeting her now"). Overusing going to for predictions ("It is going to rain" is correct, but "It is going to rain next year" is vague) can also mislead listeners.

How to evaluate my knowledge on simple future

All verbs can form the simple future tense using will or going to, creating thousands of possibilities. Categories range from basic (will eat, are going to eat) to complex structures with adverbs ("They will definitely agree") or passive voice ("The report will be submitted"). Self-assessment methods include converting present-tense sentences to future ("She writes -> She will write"), identifying errors ("They going to leave -> are going to"), or writing paragraphs about future goals ("I will pursue a master's degree"). Peer-reviewed exercises, such as explaining why "We will going to travel" is incorrect (-> "We are going to travel"), and timed quizzes on verb conjugation also gauge proficiency.

One simple way to check your current knowledge level of simple future is by testing your skills. Try out to guess what are the expressions on the sentences gaps below:

1. She ______ (call) you later.

2. They ______ (attend) the conference tomorrow.

3. I ______ (help) you with the project.

4. He ______ (not/join) the meeting.

5. We ______ (travel) to Japan next year.

6. The movie ______ (start) at 7 PM.

7. The contract ______ (sign) by both parties.

8. She ______ (complete) the course by December.

9. New policies ______ (implement) soon.

Sentences from 1 to 3 uses beginner level simple future. Their answers are: 1. will call | 2. will attend | 3. will help. Sentences 4 to 6 are intermediate level, their answers are: 4. won't join | 5. are going to travel | 6. will start. Sentence 7 to 9 are advanced level, their answers are: 7. will be signed | 8. will have completed | 9. will be implemented. Check how much you guessed right on each level and you will have a clue on how much you know and which is your current knowledge level on simple future. Of course this is a very simple test and it is very high biased. You should take a longer test, using a wide range of simple future verbs to have a more accurate score.

Ways to improve my knowledge on simple future

Improvement strategies include reading forecasts or plans in news articles ("The company will launch a new product"), writing journals about future aspirations ("I will learn Spanish"), and practicing contractions (will not -> won't). Role-playing scenarios ("What will you do after graduation?") enhances conversational skills. Grammar workbooks with sentence-rephrasing exercises ("Change 'She eats' to future: She will eat"), group discussions about upcoming events ("What are you going to achieve?"), and creating timelines for personal goals ("I will finish this by June") reinforce understanding. Peer feedback on written work and self-recording spoken predictions ("I will probably...") also solidify mastery.

You could learn them by listening to podcasts, watching videos on youtube or reading online news focused on the audience you are looking to be part of. Focusing situations and audience will shrink the amount of common used simple future verbs you have to learn at the beginning of your learning journey. Don't be afraid on not kowing all of things you hear or read. Don't be afraid to ask or search online the meaning of new expressions. Ask natives: Clarify new words you hear in conversations. Stay curious: Note down unfamiliar words in a "expression diary." Finally, embrace mistakes: Misusing it can become a funny learning moment!"

Learninn is a great way to get in touch with English simple future. Articles and videos hosted on our platform include most common simple future, if not all existent ones. Every content consumed on our platform is recorded and used in the future for your learning.