The future tense is one of the fundamental aspects of English grammar, used to describe actions or states that will occur after the present moment. Whether you’re discussing events scheduled to happen tomorrow, next year, or even further in the future, understanding how to use future tenses accurately is essential for effective communication.
In this article, we will dive into the definition, structure, and examples of future tense, covering all four main forms of future tense in detail. We’ll also explore some common pitfalls and best practices to help you grasp the nuances of future tense usage in everyday English.
What is Future Tense?
The future tense refers to actions or states that will occur after the present moment. It is typically indicated through the use of auxiliary verbs like “will” and “shall” or through other structures, such as “going to” or “present continuous” when indicating planned events.
Key Markers of Future Tense
Understanding the markers for future tense can help you identify when to use this tense. Here are common phrases and words that signal future tense:
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Tomorrow
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Next week/month/year
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In the coming days
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In the future
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Soon
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By the time (indicating a specific future moment)
These markers help provide clarity and context for when the action or state will happen. However, the future tense doesn’t just rely on time markers; the structure and auxiliary verbs used in the sentence are also essential for determining the correct tense.
Types of Future Tense Forms
In English, the future tense has four main forms, each with specific rules and applications. These forms are:
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Simple Future Tense (also called Future Indefinite)
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Future Continuous Tense
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Future Perfect Tense
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Future Perfect Continuous Tense
Each of these forms serves a different function in expressing future actions or states, and it’s important to understand when and how to use them. Let’s dive into each form in more detail.
Simple Future Tense (Future Indefinite Tense)
The simple future tense is one of the most straightforward forms used to talk about actions that will happen at a later time. This tense is often used to express plans, predictions, promises, or future facts. It is formed using the auxiliary verbs “will” or “shall” followed by the base form of the verb.
Structure of Simple Future Tense
The structure for forming simple future tense is as follows:
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Subject + will/shall + base verb (infinitive form) + object
Examples of Simple Future Tense
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I will study tomorrow.
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She will visit us next week.
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They shall complete the project by Friday.
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He will call you later today.
In informal speech, “shall” is rarely used, especially with modern English speakers in the United States. However, “will” is commonly used to indicate future events in all contexts. For example, “I will be there in five minutes.”
Uses of Simple Future Tense
Simple future tense is used in several key situations, such as:
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To make predictions about future events: It will rain tomorrow.
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To express plans or intentions: I will travel to Paris next summer.
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To offer promises or assurances: I will help you with your homework.
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To make spontaneous decisions or requests: I will take care of that for you.
Difference Between Future Simple and Present Continuous
While both the future simple and present continuous can refer to future actions, the present continuous is often used when the event is already planned or arranged. For instance:
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Simple Future: I will meet you tomorrow. (general plan or decision)
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Present Continuous: I am meeting you tomorrow. (specific arrangement)
Future Continuous Tense
The future continuous tense refers to actions that will be ongoing at a specific point in the future. This tense is often used to describe events that are already planned or expected to happen at a future time. It can also express actions in progress in the future.
Structure of Future Continuous Tense
The structure for forming future continuous tense is:
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Subject + will/shall + be + verb + -ing (present participle) + object
Examples of Future Continuous Tense
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I will be studying at 8 PM tomorrow.
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They will be traveling to London next week.
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She will be working on her project all weekend.
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We shall be attending the conference during the summer.
Uses of Future Continuous Tense
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To describe an action that will be happening at a specific time in the future: At 9 AM tomorrow, I will be meeting my clients.
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To express an action that is part of a planned event: I will be attending the wedding next month.
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To describe parallel actions happening at the same time in the future: While you are cooking dinner, I will be cleaning the house.
The future continuous tense is also used for polite requests and invitations, where the action seems more considerate or less abrupt.
Future Perfect Tense
The future perfect tense is used to describe an action that will be completed before a certain point in the future. It is a way of expressing that something will have already happened by a specific time. This form often emphasizes the idea of completion or accomplishment of an action before the specified future moment.
Structure of Future Perfect Tense
The structure for forming future perfect tense is:
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Subject + will/shall + have + past participle of the verb + object
Examples of Future Perfect Tense
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I will have finished my homework by the time you arrive.
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She will have completed the assignment before the deadline.
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By next year, we will have lived in this city for five years.
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They will have solved the problem by the end of the meeting.
Uses of Future Perfect Tense
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To describe an action that will be completed before a specific time in the future: By 5 PM tomorrow, I will have finished my report.
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To express expectations or assumptions about the completion of an action in the future: You will have received your package by next Monday.
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To talk about experiences or accomplishments completed by a future point: By the end of the year, I will have visited ten countries.
The future perfect tense is particularly useful when discussing deadlines or events that are expected to be completed in the future. It can also be employed to show an action’s ongoing impact or relevance at a future time.
Future Perfect vs. Simple Future
The future perfect tense is different from the simple future tense in that it focuses on the completion of an action. For example:
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Simple Future: I will write the report tomorrow. (The action will happen but is not specified to be completed at a certain time.)
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Future Perfect: I will have written the report by tomorrow. (The action is expected to be completed before the specified time.)
Future Perfect Continuous Tense
The future perfect continuous tense is a less commonly used but important form of future tense. It describes actions that will continue up to a point in the future, often for a specific duration. This tense emphasizes the process or duration of an action, rather than just its completion.
Structure of Future Perfect Continuous Tense
The structure for forming future perfect continuous tense is:
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Subject + will + have + been + verb + -ing + object
Examples of Future Perfect Continuous Tense
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By next year, I will have been working at this company for five years.
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He will have been studying for three hours by the time you arrive.
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By the time we finish, they will have been living in the house for 10 years.
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She will have been traveling for over 24 hours when she reaches her destination.
Uses of Future Perfect Continuous Tense
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To emphasize the duration of an action that will continue until a point in the future: By next summer, I will have been studying English for three years.
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To describe a future ongoing action that has been happening for a certain period: I will have been waiting for two hours by the time the bus arrives.
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To predict the future based on the continuity of an action: By the end of this month, they will have been working on this project for two years.
Why Future Perfect Continuous is Rarely Used
While this form is grammatically correct, it is rarely used in everyday conversation. It is most often used in writing or formal contexts when the emphasis is on the duration of an action leading up to a future time. In many cases, other future tenses (like future perfect or future continuous) may be preferred due to their simplicity.
Future Tense: Structure and Examples
| Tense | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Future Tense | Subject + will/shall + base verb | I will travel tomorrow. |
| Simple Future Tense | Subject + will/shall + base verb | I will travel tomorrow. |
| Future Continuous Tense | Subject + will/shall + be + verb + -ing | I will be studying at 8 PM tomorrow. |
| Future Perfect Tense | Subject + will/shall + have + past participle | I will have finished my homework by the time you arrive. |
| Future Perfect Continuous Tense | Subject + will + have + been + verb + -ing | By next year, I will have been working at this company for five years. |
Future Tense vs. Other Tenses
While future tense is specifically used for actions or events that will take place in the future, it’s important to distinguish it from other tenses. This understanding helps avoid confusion and allows for more precise use of language.
Future Tense vs. Present Tense
The present tense is used to describe actions that are happening right now or habitual actions. It is often confused with the future tense when discussing scheduled or planned events. Here’s how the two tenses differ:
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Present Tense: Describes actions that are occurring now or regularly. I work every day.
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Future Tense: Describes actions that will happen at a later time. I will work tomorrow.
Future Tense vs. Past Tense
The past tense is used to describe actions that have already happened, while the future tense refers to actions that are yet to occur. This clear distinction is crucial in forming correct sentences.
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Past Tense: Describes actions that have already occurred. She visited the museum last week.
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Future Tense: Describes actions that will occur in the future. She will visit the museum next week.
Future Tense in Conditional Sentences
The future tense is also commonly used in conditional sentences, where the action depends on a specific condition. This is particularly true in First Conditional sentences, which describe situations where a future event will occur if a present condition is met.
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First Conditional: If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home.
In this case, the future action (staying home) depends on the condition (if it rains). Understanding how future tenses interact with conditionals helps clarify the usage of these tenses in hypothetical scenarios.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Using Future Tense
Despite its essential role in English grammar, many learners struggle with using the future tense correctly. Understanding some common mistakes and how to avoid them can help you improve your usage.
1. Using the Wrong Auxiliary Verb
The most common mistake in future tense is using the wrong auxiliary verb. The auxiliary verbs “will” and “shall” are primarily used to form the future tense. “Shall” is more formal and is often replaced with “will” in modern English. The confusion arises when learners use other verbs incorrectly.
Incorrect: I will can help you with that.
Correct: I can help you with that.
2. Confusing Present Continuous with Future Tense
While the present continuous tense can sometimes indicate future actions, it is important not to confuse it with simple future tense. The present continuous is typically used when the event is already planned or arranged, while the future tense is used for more general predictions or decisions.
Incorrect: I am will call you later.
Correct: I will call you later.
Correct (for arranged event): I am calling you later.
3. Using “Will” for Scheduled Events
Some learners mistakenly use “will” for events that are already scheduled or planned. In these cases, it’s more appropriate to use the present continuous tense or “going to.”
Incorrect: The train will depart at 6 PM.
Correct: The train is departing at 6 PM.
4. Overusing Future Perfect Continuous Tense
The future perfect continuous tense is often overused in everyday conversations when simpler tenses would suffice. This form is rarely needed unless you want to emphasize the duration of an action leading up to a future point.
Incorrect: By next year, I will have been working here for five years.
Correct: By next year, I will have worked here for five years.
Conclusion
Mastering future tense in English requires practice and understanding of its various forms and uses. From simple future to future perfect continuous, each form has its specific application. Understanding the nuances between these tenses and their correct structure will help you communicate more effectively about future actions and events.