When do we use the future simple tense in English?
Note:This is also called the simple future tense or the future with will.
We use the future simple for many things. A simple way to remember it is: use the future simple when you are talking about the future and there is no specific reason to use another tense (e.g. the present continuous, the future perfect, etc.).
Pure future
1. Predictions
We use the future simple to say what we think or guess will happen.
Words and phrases that are commonly used in these sentences: probably, definitely;
I think (that), I don’t think (that), I’m sure (that), I’m not sure (that), I guess (that),
I suppose (that), I doubt (that)
(We can use any subject with these verbs, e.g. he doesn’t think.)
Note: Here we can often use the “going to + verb” construction as well, but “going to + verb” is more common when we have evidence for our prediction.
For example:
- I think that it will rain tomorrow.
- Do you think they’ll come?
- I’m sure everything will be OK.
- I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.
- Frank will probably take your book to the park and lose it.
- They will definitely say yes.
❗We usually say “I don’t think… will”, and NOT “I think… won’t” (although both options are grammatically correct).
For example: I don’t think it’ll snow. (Not: I think it won’t snow.)
2. Future facts or certainty
These are things that are expected or certain to happen.
Note: Sometimes people use the “going to + verb” construction here as well.
For example:
- The sun will rise tomorrow.
- The meeting will start at 10 am.
- You’ll be 16 next month.
- Those plants won’t grow without water.
Volitional will
We can also use the future simple to show somebody’s willingness (or unwillingness) to do something in the future. In other words, it is about whether somebody wants to or does not want to something. This is sometimes called “volitional will“, and we can use it in the following situations:
3. Spontaneous (instant) decisions
This is when we have just decided to do something. These are decisions that we make at the moment of speaking.
Note: Here we can usually use the “going to + verb” construction as well, but “going to + verb” is more common when the decision was made before the moment of speaking.
For example:
- It’s cold. I’ll close the window.
- I’m worried about Diana. I’ll call her now.
- I’m tired. I’ll make some coffee.
4. Promises
For example:
- I’ll be there at 9 am.
- I’ll call them tonight.
- We’ll never forget the help you gave us.
5. Offers
Note: Here we can usually use “can + verb” as well. In British English, it is also common to use shall to make offers (see Advanced grammar point below), but it is normally used in question forms.
For example:
- I’ll help you with your presentation.
- I’ll carry your suitcase if you’d like.
- We’ll drive you to the airport.
6. Requests
We can use the future simple to make a request sound polite. We are asking if somebody is willing to do something.
Note: Here we can also usually use other modal verbs such as can, could and would instead of will. Could and would just sound a little more polite than can and will.
For example:
- Will you help me?
- Will you wash up after dinner?
- Will you email me the report?
❗For marriage proposals, the standard question is “Will you marry me?”. We do not usually use other modals like “would” or “can”.
7. Refusals
We can use will not (or won’t) to say that somebody or something refuses to do something.
For example:
- I will not sign that contract.
- He won’t listen to anyone
- My car won’t start.
8. Determination and insistence
We can use the future simple to emphasise strong determination (really wanting to do something) or insistence (demanding that somebody else do something). Here we do not usually contract will, and we often stress the word will when we speak.
For example:
- I will finish this report today. (determination)
- We will find a solution. (determination)
- You will be home by 10 o’clock. (insistence)
- You will not speak to me like that. (insistence)
9. Invitations
We can use it to invite somebody politely.
Note: This now sounds slightly old-fashioned, and in modern English it is more common to use a construction like “would you like to + verb” here.
For example:
- Will you come to my party?
- Will you have some tea?
- Will you join our team?
Other uses:
10. Habits and typical behaviours
We can use the future simple form to talk about typical or characteristic behaviours. The subject can be a person or a thing. Here we are not talking about one-time future events.
Note: We usually use the present simple for habits, but we often use the future simple if we want to say that the subject “tends to” or “typically does” something.
For example:
- I’ll usually have a cup of tea after lunch.
- My dog will bark whenever someone comes to the door.
- They’ll argue about the smallest things.
- A good dictionary will give example sentences.
11. Rules and instructions
The future simple form can also be used in formal language for rules or obligations. People often use it in legal or official documents. These are general rules — we are not talking about one-time future events.
For example:
- Students will submit their assignments by midnight on the due date.
- Employees will wear a safety helmet at all times.
- All payments will be made within 30 days. (passive construction)
12. The first conditional
For example:
- If Ethel studies hard, she’ll pass the exam.
- You won’t be late if you leave now.
Advanced grammar point: How to use shall
Shall can sometimes be used instead of will, and you will often see it in classic literature. However, people are using it less and less, especially in American English. In American English, it is mainly used in legal language.
In British English, shall is still fairly common in first-person (I/we) questions for:
- making offers:
– Shall I make some coffee?
– Shall we take you to the station? - making suggestions:
– Shall I show her the report?
– Shall we go there on Monday? - asking for decisions/suggestions:
– I’ve lost my passport. What shall I do? ( = What do you suggest?)
– Where shall we meet?
For the above, speakers of American English would typically replace shall with should.
❗For these types of questions, the meaning changes if you use will. If you use will, you are simply asking about a future event — you are not offering or suggesting something.
For example: Will we go there on Monday?
= Is the plan to go there on Monday?
There are a few other situations in which people still sometimes use shall. In these cases, you can usually replace it with will without changing the meaning. However, shall sounds much more formal and is uncommon in everyday English. These situations are:
- promises:
– I shall always remember your kindness.
– You shall receive your payment tomorrow. - formal obligations:
– The witness shall appear in court on 17 May.
– Employees shall wear a safety helmet at all times. - future events:
– We shall hear the results tomorrow.
– The President shall begin his speech at 11 am.
Note: The contraction of shall is also ‘ll. The negative form of shall is shall not (short form: shan’t). For example: I shan’t be late.