Grammar Reminder: The Future Tense

Join a global community of over 200,000 TEFL teachers working throughout the world! Enrol me!

When we want to use the future tense in English, we use the words -will or -will not. Will not is often shortened to won’t.  You can also shorten will after subject pronouns. For example, I will become I’ll and we will become we’ll.

Will is used to talk about:

  • Predictions
  • Promises
  • Offers
  • Decisions

Predictions with the future tense

  • Yes, I’m sure you will pass your exam
  • I expect the food will be delicious
  • I think tomorrow will be sunny

Promises with the future tense

  • We will send you the documents in the post
  • I will meet you tomorrow at 3pm
  • I will buy you a big birthday present

Offers with the future tense

  • I’ll help you move your stuff on Monday
  • He will leave her a message
  • They said they will look after the dog

Decisions with the future tense

  • I think I’ll have the Turkey for lunch
  • I’ll take the blue paint
  • She’ll get the 2pm bus

When we use the negative will becomes won’t and for questions we use will:

  • Will you be able to come tomorrow?
  • What will you need for the picnic?
  • When will you get here?

Another word we use in the future tense is shall. It’s not used as much nowadays, but it is used with I and we:

  • I shall need a few more boxes
  • We shall get in touch soon

Both these sentences can also be used with will and most people tend to do this. However, we might hear shall when someone is talking about an invitation or an offer. For example:

  • Shall I give you a call tomorrow?
  • Shall I open the window now?

There are other ways of talking about the future too. They include the use of the present continuous if you are making arrangements with someone. For example:

  • William is coming on Thursday

Going to – is also used when you are talking about an intention:

  • I’m going to bake a cake later

We hope this useful tips will be a good reminder for you about the future tense.

Get Social

Follow us on social networks, join our newsletter - get the latest news and early discounts

Sign up to our newsletter

Follow us on social networks, sign up to our e-newsletters – get the latest news and early discounts

Accreditation Partners

The TEFL Academy was the world’s first TEFL course provider to receive official recognition from government regulated awarding bodies in both the USA and UK. This means when you graduate you’ll hold a globally recognised Level 3 (120hr) Certificate or Level 5 (168hr) Diploma, meaning you can find work anywhere and apply for jobs immediately.

Product added to your cart

You have added to your cart:

Request call back

    Please leave your details below and one of our TEFL experts will get back to you ASAP:

    captchaType characters on the left:

    Would you like us to update you on TEFL opportunities, jobs and related products & services?

    Yes, keep me updatedNo, but thanks anyway!

    Thank you! Your message has been sent!

    Download the TEFL World Factbook

      Please enter your details in order to download the latest TEFL World Factbook.

      Would you like us to update you on TEFL opportunities, jobs and related products & services?

      Yes, keep me updatedNo, but thanks anyway!

      Thank you for downloading the TEFL World Factbook!

      If the TEFL World Factbook did not download
      > Click Here To Download <

      Download the Online Teaching Guide

        Please enter your details in order to download our Online Teaching Guide.

        Would you like us to update you on TEFL opportunities, jobs and related products & services?

        Yes, keep me updatedNo, but thanks anyway!

        Thank you for downloading our Online Teaching Guide!

        If the Online Teaching Guide did not download
        > Click Here To Download <

        Download Prospectus

          Please enter your details in order to download our latest prospectus.

          Would you like us to update you on TEFL opportunities, jobs and related products & services?

          Yes, keep me updatedNo, but thanks anyway!

          Thank you for downloading our prospectus!

          We hope you enjoy reading our prospectus, we have tried to make it as useful as possible! Please get in touch if you have any questions.

          If the prospectus did not download automatically
          > Click Here To Download <

          $
          $