THE future indefinite tense

(FUTURE SIMPLE)

FORMATION

The forms of the Future Indefinite are analytical. They are built by means of the auxiliary verb will for all persons and the infinitive of the notional verb without the particle ‘ to’. The auxiliary shall is sometimes used with the first person singular and plural.

Affirmative	Interrogative
I will (I’ll) go He, she, it will (he, she, it’ll) go We will (we’ll) go You will (you’ll) go They will (they’ll) go	Will I go? Will he, she, it go? Will we go? Will you go? Will they go?
Negative	Negative-Interrogative
I will not go He, she, it will not go We will not go You will not go They will not go	Will I not (Won’t I) go? Will he, she, it not (Won’t he, she, it) go? Will we not (Won’t we) go? Will you not (Won’t you) go? Will they not (Won’t they) go?

THE USE OF THE FUTURE INDEFINITE TENSE

The Future Indefinite is used to denote:

1. Simple facts in the future:

It will snow in winter. They will come pretty soon. I’ ll help you.

2. A succession of actions in future:

We’ ll have breakfast, watch TV, and then you will come.

Very often will and shall have modal meaning besides that of futurity. Thus the verb ‘ will’ can denote:

- Decisions made at the moment of speaking:

All right, I will phone you at nine.

- Requests:

Will you do me a favour?

- Promises:

I will come as soon as you call me.

- Offers and invitations:

Will you come to lunch?

The verb ‘shall’ can express:

- Offers and suggestions:

Shall I make tea for you? Shall we start now?

- Asking for advice:

What shall I do if he comes again?

Note: Will and be going to

1. The auxiliary ‘ will ’is used when we know or think about future; ‘ be going to ’ is used to express an intention while ‘ will ’ can be used to express details and comments:

We are going to spend summer near a river. We’ ll live in a tent and fish a lot.

2. We use ‘ will ’ to express an instant decision, while we use ‘ be going to ’ to show that we have already decided:

He is late. I’ ll call him and find out where he is.

I’ m going to call her tonight and congratulate her.

THE FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE

(THE FUTURE PROGRESSIVE TENSE)

FORMATION

The forms of the Future Continuous are analytical. They are built by means of the Future Indefinite form of the auxiliary verb be (will be) and participle I of the notional verb.

Affirmative	Interrogative
I will (I’ll) be reading He, she, it will (’ll) be reading We will (’ll) be reading You will (’ll) be reading They will (‘ll) be reading	Will I be reading? Will he, she, it be reading? Will we be reading? Will you be reading? Will they be reading?

 

Negative	Negative-Interrogative
I will not be reading He, she, it will not be reading We will not be reading You will not be reading They will not be reading	Will I not (Won’t I) be reading? Will he, she, it not (Won’t he) be reading? Will we not (Won’t we) be reading? Will you not (Won’t you) be reading? Will they not (Won’t they) be reading?

THE USE OF THE FUTURE CONTINUOUS

The Future Continuous tense is used to denote:

1. An action that will be in progress at a definite moment or during a definite period of time in the future:

At this time tomorrow my plane will be taking off.

2. An action that will happen as part of a routine:

I will be cleaning the house tomorrow – I always do it on Saturday.

3. An action that is planned or expected:

We 'II be staying at a hotel, I believe.