O simple future tensecan be expressed in English through two structures basically: o auxiliary verb will and the structure going to|1|. Even though they are used with an interchangeable meaning in some contexts, it is necessary for learners to master the uses and situations that present nuances as to the meaning they want to convey.
To do so, we will explore in the next topics the simple future tense, exemplifying the most appropriate uses for each context and the intention of the speakers of English language to express your ideas in the future. Afterwards, we will compare the use of simple future tense It's from future. Are you ready to go?
simplefuture with will
O simple future tense is traditionally associated with structure will, which ends up being used less by speakers than the structure going to|1|.It is also noteworthy that will is an auxiliary verb whose main use is to indicate the future. Thus, will must always accompany a main verb in the infinitive without the prepositionI'm. For example:
Greta willeats to Brazil.
(Greta will come to Brazil.)
As for usage, the grammars describe different situations, that go beyond the understanding that the future simple tense it only indicates an action that has not yet taken place or a later time. Thus, we highlight a list with the possibleuses and auxiliary verb meanings will at the future simple tense|1||2|:
Make predictions that are not definite or exact;
Express decisions made in the speech act;
Make promises;
Expressing the future as a fact;
Express formal orders.
See some examples:
i think 2030 will be the better year.
(I think 2030 it will be a better year.)she will study harder for the next math test.
(Is it over there will study more for the next math test.)they will eat to school wearing their uniforms.
(They turn it to school wearing their uniforms.)ok Peter will join us to our trip to Canada.
(ok, Peter will join to us on our trip to Canada.)
A good idea to practice using the will at the simple future tense é list the uses presented here by writing your own examples. After studying the next topic, put your examples in affirmative, negative and interrogative forms. To go deeper and see more examples of using this helper, go to: will.
Affirmative form
Remember that the auxiliary verb will accompanies a main verb in the infinitive without the preposition I'm:
To read a famous novel.
(Read a famous novel.)I will read the famous novel.
you will read the famous novel.
He/she/it will read the famous novel.
we will read the famous novel.
you will read the famous novel.
they will read the famous novel.
Note that there is no inflection of person or gender in the conjugation of the future with will. It is also possible to use the contracted form of the guy with will: I’ll, he’ll, you’ll, they’ll, we’ll.
Read too: Regularverbs: how to identify what these verbs are?
Negative form
The negative sentence is formed by the auxiliary will + NOT + main verb in infinitive without the preposition I'm:
To clean the house on Saturday.
(Clean house on Saturdays.)I will not clean the house on Saturday.
you will not clean the house on Saturday.
He/she/it will not clean the house on Saturday.
we will not clean the house on Saturday.
you will not clean the house on Saturday.
they will not clean the house on Saturday.
Note that, in the negative form, it is also possible to use the contraction in will + not = won't.
Interrogative form
The interrogative sentence is formed by the auxiliary will + subject + main verb in infinitive without the preposition I'm.
To be home early.
(Getting (being) home early.)Will I be home early?
will you be home early?
Will he/she/it be home early?
will we be home early?
will you be home early?
will they be home early?
For short answers, you can use: yes, I will or No, I won’t, varying the subjects of the answer.
See too: Subjectpronouns:pronouns that play the role of subject
simplefuture with goingto
According to some grammarians, the future simple tense would standard the structure going to, since it is the most used structure by English speakers to express some future idea|1|. Its structure does not change in the sentences and it must always come between the verb to be conjugate in the form of simple present and the main verb in the infinitive without the preposition I'm:
we are going to seethe fireworks tonight.
(We we will see the fireworks tonight.)
In relation to the use of going to to express a future action, we have the following possibilities|1||2|:
Predict an event or action based on some fact or evidence
Future plans previously defined
See some examples:
next july, we are going to travel by car to the beach.
(next July, let's travel by car to the beach.)Look at the sky and all those clouds; it is going to rain all night!
(Look at the sky and all those clouds; will rain all night!)
Keeping in mind the uses of going to at the simple future tense, we will explore in the following topics its structure in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences.
Affirmative form
Remember that the structure going to comes between the verb to be and the main verb in the infinitive without the preposition I'm:
To watch a film.
(Watch a movie.)
I am going to watch the film.
you are going to watch the film.
He/she/it is going to watch the film.
we are going to watch the film.
you are going to watch the film.
they are going to watch the film.
Note that there is only verb inflection to be at the simple present. You can use the contracted form of the verb to be: I’m, she’s, they’re.
Also access: Phrasal verbs: how to use these expressions from the English language?
Negative form
The negative sentence is formed by the verb to be + NOT + going to + main verb in infinitive without the preposition I'm:
To be late.
(To be late.)
I am not going to be late.
you are not going to be late.
He/she/it is not going to be late.
we are not going to be late.
you are not going to be late.
they are not going to be late.
Note that, in the negative form, it is also possible to use the contraction of the verb to be + Not = I’m not, you aren’t, she isn’t, we aren’t.
Interrogative form
The interrogative sentence is formed by the verb I'm fine + subject + going to + main verb in infinitive without preposition I'm.
To travel this month.
(Travel this month.)
Am I going to travel this month?
are you going to travel this month?
Is he/she/it going to travel this month?
are we going to travel this month?
are you going to travel this month?
are they going to travel this month?
For short answers, we can use: SIM EU Sou or No, I'm not, varying the subjects of the answer. To learn more about this construction of the future, visit: going to.
What is the difference between simplefuture and future?
Another way to express the future is through the future, that is, some action or idea that is close to happening (near future/near future), unlike the simple future tense, which expresses future facts, predictions, promises, plans, instant decisions, etc.
To indicate the future, the structure is used be about to = be about to.
Take a look at some examples:
the concert is about to start.
(The show is about to to start.)Let’s go! the teacher is about to leave.
(Let's go! The teacher is about to get out.)
Taking into account all aspects studied in this text of the simple future tense, don't forget to summarize and practice with your personal examples!
solved exercises
Question 1 - Seduc-CE 2013
In the sentence "I truly think she will always be full of enthusiasm!" (ℓ.16-17), "will" is
THE) the auxiliary verb of the simple future.
B) the auxiliary verb of the past continuous.
Ç) in the past form.
D) in the imperative.
AND) the main verb of the sentence.
Resolution
AlternativeA, because will is the auxiliary verb of simple future tense.
question 2 Segep-MA 2016
Read the following text to answer the question:
Goods in transit refers to merchandise and other inventory items that have been shipped by the seller, but have been received by the purchaser. To illustrate goods in transit, let's use the following example. Company J ships a truckload of merchandise on December 30 to Customer K, which is located 2,000 miles away. The truckload of merchandise arrives at Customer K on January 2. Between December 30 and January 2, the truckload of merchandise is goods in transit. The goods in transit requires special attention if the companies issue financial statements as of December 31. The reason is that the merchandise is the inventory of one of the two companies. However, the merchandise is not physically present at either company. One of the two companies must add the cost of the goods in transit to the cost of the inventory that it has in its possession.
The terms of the sale will indicate which company should report the goods in transit as its inventory as of December 31. If the terms are FOB shipping point, the seller (Company J) will record the December sale and receivable, and include the goods in transit as its inventory. On December 31, Customer K is the owner of the goods in transit and will need to report a purchase, a payable, and must add the cost of the goods in transit to the cost of the inventory which is in its possession
If the terms of the sale are FOB destination, Company J will not have a sale and receivable until January 2. This means Company J must report the cost of the goods in transit in its inventory on December 31. (Customer K will not have a purchase, payable, or inventory of these goods until January 2.)
(Adapted from http://www.accountingcoach.com/blog/what-are-goods-in-transit)
The alternative that correctly fills the gap II é
THE)must.
B)will.
Ç)will not.
D)should.
AND)would not.
Resolution
Alternative C, because customer K must declare the costs of goods in transit in his inventory.
Question 3 - Cemig - Telecom 2014
Taking into account the different ways of referring to actions in the future, analyze the following items:
I. Claire is working at the library on Friday morning.
II. When I remove, I am going to go back to Liverpool to live.
III. The telephone is ringing, but I won't answer it.
IV. James and Sarah are working two jobs to afford a private school for their children.
The use of highlighted terms is CORRECT only in
THE) I.
B) III and IV.
Ç) I, II and III.
D) I, II, III and IV.
Resolution
Alternative C, as the only phrase that does not express the idea of the future is number IV, indicating the idea of a progressive present.
Grades
|1| DECAPUA, A.. grammar for Teachers: A Guide to American English for Native and Non-Native Speakers. Springer: New York, 2008.
|2| EASTWOOD, J. Oxford guide to English grammar. Oxford, 2002.
By Patricia Veronica Moreira
English teacher
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/ingles/simple-future-tense.htm
