Future indefinite tense also called future simple is formed by using be going to or “will” and sometimes “shall” and the first form of the main verb. The auxiliary verb “shall” is used less commonly. The auxiliary verb will does not change with the subject.
Future Indefinite Tense Formula
Subject + will/shall + Verb(base form) + Object
Positive Sentences
Subject + will + (Verb)1 + Object
Subject + am/is/are + going to + (Verb)1 + Object
Examples
- Ahmad’s going to get fit before his next birthday.
- She is going to cook dinner tonight.
- Are they going to marry next week?
- He will go to school.
- They will return shortly.
- He will send a letter to him.
- She will explain everything to us.
- The trial will last a few weeks.
- I will be in London the following Monday.
Negative Sentences
Subject + will + not + (Verb)1 + Object
Subject + am/is/are + not going to + (Verb)1 + Object
Examples
- He will not take tea.
- We will not play tomorrow.
- She will not tell him everything.
- We aren’t going to attend the meeting tomorrow.
Interrogative Sentences
Will + subject + (Verb)1 + Object
Am/is/are + subject + going to + (Verb)1 + Object
- Will you give me his address?
- Will he be in-home tomorrow?
- Will they love the new house?
- Are they going to marry next week?
- When are you going to start study?
Uses of the Future Indefinite Tense
The future simple tense is used to express an action that is to take place in the future. This tense describes things that haven’t happened yet. To make promises, to tell a fact in the future, or to describe unplanned actions.
- We will walk to work.
- I will help him.
- He will go to school.
- I will be there by tomorrow. Don’t worry.
- Today is Sunday. Tomorrow will be Monday. (Future fact)
- I will be 26 next year.
To guess something, we use certain adverbs and verbs with a will. For example
Expect, hope, suppose, believe, think, assume, perhaps, know possibly, certainly, maybe, probably, be sure, be afraid
Examples
- I expect (that) you will find it somewhere in your home.
- I wonder what will happen next.
- Maybe he will come tomorrow.
- I hope they will win the match.
- He studies hard, but I don’t think he’ll get good marks. (It is just my opinion)
It may express intention or aim.
- I will visit Ahmad next Friday and ask him what he thinks about the tour. (It is decided I will visit him and ask his opinion about the tour)
The interrogative form often expresses a request for action.
- Will you do this? (please do this.)
- Will you open the door? (Please open the door.)
Future simple tense is used to express a quick decision that someone has made at the time of speaking.
- I like this book. I will buy it.
- I think he is late for school. I will call him.
We also used it for making requests, promises, offers or give warnings, etc.
Examples
- I will help you with homework if you want. (Offer)
- Will you give me someplace, please? (Request)
- I will withdraw your order if you don’t pay on time. (Warning)
- I will get him a present if he passes the test. (Promise)
Examples of Future Indefinite Tense
- He will be here in a minute or two. (This will happen in the future)
- Tomorrow, we will meet him at the shopping mall. (This will happen in the future)
- When is he going to bed? (I want to know when this action will happen in the future.)
- Haleem will not eat dinner with us.
- Is the professor going to be at the meeting?
- Is she going to be at the party?
- The shopping mall will not be so busy this evening.
- I hope you’ll enjoy the trip.
- We will meet you in half an hour.
- I think they will leave at about 9.30.
The Difference Between Will and Be going to
To understand the difference between a will and be going to compare the following sentences
- He is going to leave at seven tomorrow evening.
- He will leave at seven tomorrow evening.
- I think it is going to rain tonight.
- I think it will rain tonight.
Will and be going to both used to express future time. But the be going to form of the future simple tense is used to express future events that have been planned. However, will/shall also used to express the future intention but they often use to describe a sudden decision, i.e., the decision made by a speaker at the immediate present moment.
- We are going to build a new house. (we already have decided to do it)
- I am going to start watching this movie soon.
- When is he going to buy a new car?
To make a prediction about the future, both will and be going to are correct. But when something is going to happen, it means there is a piece of evidence in the present moment or what we see, feel or know now.
Examples
- He is going to succeed because he studies hard.
- He will succeed because he studies hard.
Will (not be going to) express a decision that the speaker makes at the time of speaking.
- I will wash the clothes this morning.
- It’s too hot; I will take a bath.
Don’t worry about your assignment. I will help you.
To express that something is going to happen very soon or immediately, we use be going to
Examples
- Be careful; the stone is going to fall!
- You are working too hard. You are going to get ill.
To express the decision that something will not happen, use not before be going to.
Examples
- I heard they are not going to marry this month. (a decision about what will not happen)
- The weather is cold. We are not going to play cricket.
Note: We never be 100% sure about the future.
Note: Some grammarians used “shall” with first-person singular and plural, i.e. (I, We), and used will with all other pronouns (you, he, she, it, and they)