Simple Future

will + (verb)

am/is/are + going to + (verb)

"Will" to express a voluntary action

A: I’m really hungry.

Will to Express a promise

I will call you when I arrive.

"Be going to" to express a plan or intention

He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.

"Will" or "Be Going to" to express assumptions

The year 2000 will be a very interesting year.

1. The two forms of the Future Simple tense

The Simple Future has two different forms in English, will and be going to. Although the two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two very different meanings. These different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but with time and practice the differences will become clear. Both Will and be going to refer to a specific time in the future.

2. "Will" to express a voluntary action

Will often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often we use will to respond to someone else’s complaint or request for help.

  • A: Ivm really hungry.
  • B: Ivll make some sandwiches.
  • A: I’m so tired. I’m about to fall asleep.
  • B: I’ll get you some coffee.
  • A: The phone is ringing.
  • B: I’ll get it.

3. Will to Express a promise

  • I will call you when I arrive.
  • If I am elected President of the United States , I will make sure everyone has access to inexpensive health insurance.
  • I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.

4. "Be going to" to express a plan or intention

"Be going to" to expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person intends to do something in the future.

  • He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.
  • We are going to meet each other tonight at 6:00 PM.
  • A: Who is going to make John’s birthday cake.
  • B: Sue is going to make John’s birthday cake.

5. "Will" or "Be Going to" to express assumptions

Both will and be going to can express the idea of a general prediction about the future. Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future. In the following examples there is no difference in meaning.

  • The year 2000 will be a very interesting year.
  • The year 2000 is going to be a very interesting year.
  • John Smith will be the next President.
  • John Smith is going to be the next President.
  • The movie "Zenith" will win several Academy Awards.
  • The movie "Zenith" is going to win several Academy Awards.
  • .

6. No Future with time clauses

Like all future forms, the Simple Future canot be used in clauses beginning with when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if and unless.

  • When you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Incorrect
  • When you arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Correct

7. Position of Adverbs

When you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Simple Future (will help), adverbs usually come between the first part and the second part (will never help).

  • I will help him later.
  • I will never help him.
  • Will you ever stop talking?
  • He is going to meet Jane tonight.
  • He is definitely going to meet Jane tonight.

8. Active / Passive voice

  • John will certainly finish the work by 5:00 PM. Active
  • The work will certainly be finished by 5:00 PM. Passive
  • Petra is going to make a beautiful dinner tonight. Active
  • A beautiful dinner is going to be made by Petra tonight. Passive
 

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