Simple Future: Will & Be going to
Simple Future has two different forms in English, will and be going to. These two forms can be used interchangeably, but they sometimes mean two very different things. Both will and be going to refer to a specific time in the future.
Will + VERB
I will finish that later. I will never finish that.
If you are using a verb tense that has an auxiliary or modal with the main verb (will finish), adverbs usually come between the first part and the second part (will never finish).
Be (am-is-are) + Going To + VERB
She is going to sing at the concert tomorrow.
She is absolutely going to sing at the concert tomorrow.
She is absolutely not going to sing at the concert tomorrow.
Notice that any adverbs come after the first part of the verb. She is absolutely not going to sing at the concert tomorrow. (absolutely not is the adverb)
None of the future tenses can be used in clauses that begin with a word indicating time (when, while, after, by the time, before, as soon as, if, unless)
Correct: While you sleep, I will wash the dishes.
Incorrect: While you will sleep, I will wash the dishes.
When to Use Simple Future:
1. Use will when expressing a voluntary action. That is an action that the speaker often offers to do for someone else. We could use will to react or respond to a complaint or a request.
Speaker A: I have a headache. Speaker B: I'll get you an aspirin.
Speaker A: Someone is at the door, and I am busy. Speaker B: I’ll answer it.
Speaker A: Where’s the newspaper? Speaker B: I'll find it for you.
2. Use will to show a promise.
I will tell you when it’s time to leave. (I am promising to tell you)
If Sara is chosen Miss Congeniality, I will be the first to congratulate her. (I promise to congratulate her.)
Yes, I will call you when the car is here. (I am telling you that I promise to call.)
3. Use be (am/is/are) going to to show a plan—the idea that someone intends to do something in the future.
Marilou is going to travel around the world this spring. (She has planned to make the trip.)
They are going to get married Saturday. (They have made plans to marry then.)
Speaker A: Is anyone going to answer that phone? (Note the change in word order for a question.)
Speaker B: Mother is going to answer the phone. (Mother plans on answering the phone.)
4. Use will or be (is/am/are) going to when expressing a prediction. Either of these forms can be used when talking about guesses or predictions. There is no difference in meaning.
The World Soccer matches this year will be very interesting exciting.
The World Soccer matches this year are going to be very interesting exciting.
Aunt Tilly will be ecstatic when she sees this!
Aunt Tilly is going to be ecstatic when she sees this!
That book will win a Pulitzer Prize.
That book is going to win a Pulitzer Prize.
REMEMBER: In the Simple Future, you might not be able to tell which use the speaker has in mind. Sometimes there is than one way to interpret a sentence. That is why so many people use either form for any use.
ACTIVE & PASSIVE FORMS of simple future:
Active: Dilbert will certainly find the dog before lunch.
Passive: The dog will certainly be found by Dilbert before lunch.
Active: CC is going to play the piano at the party this weekend.
Passive: The piano is going to be played by CC at the party this weekend.
1. A: Why are you dialing the phone? B: I (make) a call to my friend in Texas.
2. A: This chair is too hard. My back really hurts. B: I (get) you a pillow.
3. A: I can't hear the music! B: I (turn) it up so you can hear it.
4. We are so excited about our plans for the cruise next month to France. We (visit) Barbados, Trinidad and the Bahamas.
5. Celina (go) to the picnic. I (be) there also.
6. A: It is so cold in the cafe! B: I (get) your sweater from the car.
7. I think he (be) the best student in the class.
8. If I win the lottery, I (donate) 50% of the prize to charity.
9. A: Please help us. We have to get into the theatre for rehearsal. B: The man at the
back door (open) it for you.
10. When the typhoon ends, we (sail) around the world.