Grammar · Verb tenses
Future Simple
Formula: will + base form
B1
Quick answer
will + V (the Future Simple: a prediction, a quick decision), be going to + V (a plan, a prediction based on what you can see), and even the Present Continuous (a fixed arrangement). A typical choice: It will rain (a general prediction) / It's going to rain (look at the clouds).Future Simple: how to build a sentence
Affirmative
subject + will + V (base form)
I will come.
I'll come.
Negative
won't + V
I won't come.
She won't come.
Question
Will + subject + V?
Will you come?
Will she come?
Full example: to come
| Pronoun | Full form | Contraction |
|---|---|---|
| I | will come | I'll come |
| You | will come | You'll come |
| He / She / It | will come | He'll come |
| We | will come | We'll come |
| You (pl.) | will come | You'll come |
| They | will come | They'll come |
The 5 main uses
1. Will: prediction, decision
A decision made at the moment of speaking, not planned before.
“I'll help you.”
2. Be going to: plan
An intention you decided before speaking.
“I'm going to study tonight.”
3. Be going to: prediction
A prediction based on something you can see now (the clouds).
“Look at the clouds! It's going to rain.”
4. Present Continuous: arrangement
A real arrangement, already planned with another person.
“I'm meeting John tomorrow.”
5. Present Simple: timetable
A fixed time in a timetable.
“The train leaves at 8.”
Signal words
Some words almost always go with this tense: if you see one in the sentence, it is a good clue.
tomorrow
the day after today
“I will see you tomorrow.”
next week / month / year
the week, month or year after this one
“We'll travel next summer.”
in a few years / in ten years
some years from now
“I'll finish school in a few years.”
soon / later
in a short time, at a later time
“I'll call you later.”
Common mistakes to avoid
Will or be going to?
Will = a prediction with no clear sign, or a decision you make now. Be going to = a plan you made before, or a prediction based on what you can see. I think it will rain (an opinion) / Look! It's going to rain (the clouds).
No future after when, if, before, after
After time words and after if, use the present, not the future: When I see her, I will tell her ✓ (not When I will see her).
Short forms 'll and won't
Very common in speech: I'll, you'll, he'll, we'll, they'll. Negative: won't (not willn't).
Practice quiz
Related pages: Future Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
What's next?
Future Simple: you understand the rule. Now practise it.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you talk about the future in English?+
There are several structures: will + verb (prediction, quick decision), be going to + verb (plan, prediction you can see), the Present Continuous (fixed arrangement), the Present Simple (timetable). The choice depends on the meaning.
What is the difference between will and going to?+
Will = a general prediction or a decision you make now. Be going to = a plan made before, or a prediction based on what you can see. I think it will rain (an opinion) vs Look! It's going to rain (you can see the clouds).
Why is there no will after when?+
After time words (when, before, after, as soon as) and after if, English uses the present to talk about the future: When I see her, I will tell her. Not When I will see her.
What is the short form of will not?+
Will not = won't (not willn't). The positive short form is 'll: I'll come, I won't come. Both are very common in speech.
Can you use the Present Simple for the future?+
Yes, for timetables and fixed schedules: The train leaves at 8 tomorrow. The film starts at 9. For personal arrangements, use the Present Continuous: I'm meeting John tomorrow.
Updated on 6 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 6 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/grammar/future-simple
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.