Grammar › Verb Tenses › Future Simple (will)
Future Simple (will)
Use ‘will’ + base verb for the future when you decide, predict or promise. Use it for:
- Instant decisions — I’ll help you.
- Predictions and opinions — It will rain later.
- Promises and offers — I’ll call you tonight.
For plans you decided before now, use ‘be going to’ instead (I’m going to study tonight).
How to form the future with will
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | subject + will (’ll) + base verb | She will call later. |
| Negative | subject + won’t + base verb | They won’t come. |
| Question | Will + subject + base verb? | Will you help? |
Will is the same for every subject — it never adds -s or changes. In speech and informal writing we usually contract it to ’ll (I’ll, she’ll), and the negative is won’t.
When to use will
1. Instant decisions
A decision made at the moment of speaking.
- The phone’s ringing. — Don’t worry, I’ll get it.
- I’ll have the salad, please.
⚠️ Typical error:
I’m going to get it.(deciding right now) → For a decision made as you speak, use will: I’ll get it.
2. Predictions and opinions
Often with I think, probably, maybe.
- I think it will rain tomorrow.
- You’ll love this film.
⚠️ Typical error:
It rains tomorrow.→ A prediction takes will: It will rain tomorrow.
3. Promises, offers and requests
- I promise I’ll call you tonight.
- Will you open the window?
Common mistakes
1. Using will for plans you already made. If the plan existed before now, use going to or the present continuous. I will meet Sara tomorrow (already arranged) → I’m meeting Sara tomorrow.
2. Changing the form of will. Will never adds -s. She wills come → She will come.
3. Using the present simple for predictions. In 2050, cars drive themselves → In 2050, cars will drive themselves.
✏️ Practice: Future Simple (will)
1. The phone’s ringing. — Don’t worry, I ___ it.
2. I think it ___ tomorrow.
3. Don’t worry — she ___ late. She’s very reliable.
4. ___ you ___ me with this box, please?
5. I think he ___ at nine.
6. I promise I ___ you tonight.
7. We ___ to Italy this summer — we booked the flights last week.
8. In 2050, most cars ___ themselves.
9. Choose the sentence with the same meaning as: ‘Perhaps I’ll see you at the party.’
10. It’s hot in here. — ___ I open a window?
11. Fill in the gap
Someone is at the door. — I ___ it! (instant decision)
Type two words.
12. Correct the mistake
She wills come tomorrow.
Type the whole corrected sentence.
13. Correct the mistake
Soon, everybody wears smart glasses.
Type the whole corrected sentence.
✏️ Practice: Fill in the gap
Type will/won’t + the base verb. Twenty original sentences — instant decisions, predictions, and promises.
✏️ Practice: Put the words in order
Tap the words below to build each sentence in the right order. Twenty original sentences, mixing statements, negatives and questions.
✏️ Practice: Match will + the base verb
Tap a base verb, then tap its future simple form. Will never changes — it’s always the same form, whatever the subject.
✏️ Practice: Beat the clock
15 seconds per question. Watch for the invariant form (will never adds -s) and the negative won’t.
20 questions, 15 seconds each. The clock starts when you press Start.
✏️ Practice: Find the mistake
Each sentence has exactly one mistake. Tap the word you think is wrong. Twenty original sentences.
✏️ Level check: How well do you know it?
20 mixed questions — typing, word order, the invariant form, multiple choice, and spot-the-mistake. One pass, then a breakdown of where you’re strong and where to go back and practise.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ‘will’ and ‘going to’?
Use ‘will’ for decisions made at the moment of speaking, promises and general predictions. Use ‘going to’ for plans decided before now and predictions based on evidence.
Does ‘will’ change for he/she/it?
No. Will is the same for every subject: I will, she will, they will. The contraction is ‘ll and the negative is won’t.
Can I use ‘will’ for arrangements?
For fixed arrangements, English usually prefers the present continuous (I’m meeting her at six) or going to. Will is for decisions made now.
What does ‘shall’ mean?
’Shall’ is a more formal alternative to ‘will’ with I and we, common in offers and suggestions: Shall I open the window? In everyday English, ‘will’ is more common.
👩🏫 For teachers
CEFR objectives for “Future Simple (will)”:
- Can form affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences with will + base verb (CEFR A2).
- Can use will for decisions, predictions, promises and offers.
- Can distinguish will from going to and the present continuous for future meaning.
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