Future Simple Tense: Will, Rules, Examples and Exercises

What is the future simple tense?

The future simple describes future actions, events or situations using will + base verb.

For example:

I will see you next week.

It will rain later.

They will probably win the match.

Unlike many other English tenses, the form does not change depending on the subject:

I will work.

She will work.

They will work.

There is no third-person -s and no special irregular form of will.

The future simple is especially useful when the future idea is connected to what the speaker thinks, decides, promises or offers at the moment of speaking.

How to form the future with will

Use will + base form for all subjects.

Affirmative

I will finish it tomorrow.

He will call later.

We will probably need more time.

In speech and informal writing, contractions are extremely common:

I’ll

you’ll

he’ll

she’ll

we’ll

they’ll

Negative

Use:

will not + base verb

or the contraction:

won’t + base verb

Examples:

I won’t be late.

She won’t agree with that.

They will not need to pay.

Do not use don’t or doesn’t with will.

Questions

Move will before the subject:

Will you come tomorrow?

Will she need any help?

Will they arrive on time?

Wh- questions follow the same pattern:

When will you finish?

Where will they stay?

What will happen next?

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Predictions, promises and spontaneous decisions

The future simple has several important uses.

1. Predictions

Use will when you are expressing what you think will happen.

I think prices will increase next year.

She’ll probably pass the exam.

I don’t think it will rain tonight.

Common expressions include:

• I think...
• I don’t think...
• probably
• perhaps
• maybe
• I’m sure...
• I expect...

For example:

I’m sure you will enjoy the film.

They will probably arrive before us.

2. Promises

Use will when you promise to do something.

I will call you as soon as I arrive.

I won’t tell anyone.

We will fix the problem.

You may also hear:

I promise I will be there.

3. Offers

Use will when offering to do something.

I’ll carry that for you.

I’ll make some coffee.

We’ll help you move.

Questions with shall I...? are also common in British English for offers:

Shall I open the window?

4. Spontaneous decisions

A spontaneous decision is a decision made at the moment of speaking.

For example:

A: The phone is ringing.
B: I’ll answer it.

The speaker did not plan this earlier. The decision happens now.

Another example:

A: We’ve run out of milk.
B: I’ll get some on the way home.

This is one of the main differences between will and going to.

Negatives and questions

Future simple negatives

The most common negative form is won’t.

I won’t forget.

He won’t be available tomorrow.

They won’t finish before Friday.

The full form will not is also correct and can sound more formal or emphatic:

I will not accept this decision.

Future simple questions

Use:

Will + subject + base verb?

Examples:

Will you be home tonight?

Will she come to the meeting?

Will they need a reservation?

Short answers:

Yes, I will.

No, she won’t.

Yes, they will.

Avoid repeating the main verb:

Will she come?
Yes, she will. ✓

Not:

Yes, she will come.

The longer answer is grammatically possible, but the short answer is normally more natural.

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Common future time expressions

The future simple frequently appears with expressions such as:

• tomorrow
• tomorrow morning
• tonight
• next week
• next month
• next year
• soon
• later
• in a few minutes
• in two weeks
• one day
• in the future
• eventually

Examples:

I’ll call you later.

They’ll move house next month.

Perhaps people will live on Mars in the future.

Be careful with in + period of time:

I’ll be back in ten minutes.

This means ten minutes from now.

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Will versus other future forms

English does not have only one future form.

Will vs going to

Use will for a spontaneous decision:

I’m thirsty. I’ll get some water.

Use going to for a plan that already existed:

I’m going to meet Sarah after work.

Going to is also common for predictions based on present evidence:

Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain.

Compare:

I think it will rain tomorrow.

This is a general prediction or opinion.

Will vs present continuous

The present continuous is common for arranged future events:

I’m meeting James at seven.

This sounds more definite and arranged than:

I’ll meet James at seven.

Will vs present simple

Use the present simple for fixed schedules and timetables:

The train leaves at 7:30 tomorrow.

Not usually:

The train will leave at 7:30 tomorrow.

Both may sometimes be possible, but the present simple is normally preferred when referring to a fixed timetable.

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Common mistakes

Adding to after will

Incorrect:

I will to go tomorrow.

Correct:

I will go tomorrow.

Use:

will + base verb

Adding -s after will

Incorrect:

She will works tomorrow.

Correct:

She will work tomorrow.

The verb remains in the base form.

Using don’t with will

Incorrect:

I don’t will go.

Correct:

I won’t go.

Using will for every future situation

Unnatural:

I will meet my dentist tomorrow at 10.

If the appointment is already arranged, the present continuous is usually more natural:

I’m meeting my dentist tomorrow at 10.

Confusing will and going to for decisions

Imagine someone knocks on the door.

Natural:

I’ll get it.

Less natural:

I’m going to get it.

The first sentence describes a decision made immediately.

Forgetting the base form after won’t

Incorrect:

She won’t comes.

Correct:

She won’t come.

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Exercises and answers

Exercise 1: Complete with will or won’t

1. I think the weather __________ improve tomorrow.
2. Don’t worry. I __________ forget to call you.
3. A: Someone is at the door.
   B: I __________ answer it.
4. She probably __________ arrive before eight.
5. I promise I __________ tell anyone.
6. Do you think people __________ live longer in the future?
7. We __________ need a taxi because the station is nearby.
8. I’m sure you __________ enjoy the course.

Exercise 2: Make the sentences correct

1. She will to call tomorrow.
2. Will he comes with us?
3. I don’t will be late.
4. They will probably arrives soon.
5. Where you will stay?
6. I won’t to forget.

Exercise 3: Choose the more natural future form

1. The phone is ringing. I’ll answer / I’m going to answer it.
2. We bought the tickets yesterday. We’ll fly / We’re flying to Paris on Friday.
3. Look at those clouds! It will rain / It’s going to rain.
4. I think robots will become / are becoming more common in the future.
5. According to the timetable, the train will leave / leaves at 6:15.

Answers and explanations

Exercise 1

1. will – prediction
2. won’t – promise not to do something
3. will / ’ll – spontaneous decision
4. will – prediction
5. won’t – promise
6. will – prediction about the future
7. won’t – prediction based on the situation
8. will – confident prediction

Exercise 2

1. She will call tomorrow.
2. Will he come with us?
3. I won’t be late.
4. They will probably arrive soon.
5. Where will you stay?
6. I won’t forget.

Remember: will + base verb.

Exercise 3

1. I’ll answer – decision made at the moment of speaking.
2. We’re flying – an existing arrangement.
3. It’s going to rain – prediction based on visible evidence.
4. will become – general future prediction.
5. leaves – fixed timetable.

The future simple tense with will is most useful for predictions, promises, offers and spontaneous decisions. Form it with will + base verb, use won’t for negatives, and move will before the subject for questions. The most important next step is learning when will is more natural than going to, the present continuous and other future forms.

Related grammar lessons

• Past Simple Tense: Rules and Exercises
• Modal Verbs in English
• Gerunds and Infinitives: Rules and Exercises