The verb to tell · Conjugation
Future Simple of tell
The answer: will tell
A2
A decision made now, a promise or a prediction.
Quick answer
The Future Simple of the verb to tell is will tell.
Example: I will tell a story tomorrow.
Full conjugation in the Future Simple
| Pronoun | Form | Contraction |
|---|---|---|
| I | will tell | I'll tell |
| You | will tell | You'll tell |
| He / She / It | will tell | He'll / She'll / It'll tell |
| We | will tell | We'll tell |
| You (pl.) | will tell | You'll tell |
| They | will tell | They'll tell |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. I will to tell ❌
After will, use the base form, with no to: I will tell. Will never takes -s, and the verb after it has no -s either. Say she will tell, not she wills tell or she will tells.
2. I will can tell ❌
Will is a modal verb (a helper verb like can, must or should). Two modal verbs cannot go together. Use will be able to for can: I will be able to tell. Use will have to for must: I will have to tell.
3. When I will arrive, I will call you ❌
After when, if, before, after and as soon as, use the Present Simple for the future, not will. Say When I arrive, I will call you. Will goes in the other part of the sentence.
Practice quiz
Going further
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Frequently asked questions
How do you conjugate tell in the Future Simple?+
Use will + the base form (the verb with no to): will tell. The form is the same for every person: I will tell, she will tell, they will tell. In speech, will often becomes 'll: I'll tell.
When do you use the Future Simple of tell?+
Use will for a decision you make at the moment of speaking: The phone is ringing. I'll answer it. Also use it for a promise (I'll help you.) and for a prediction (I think it will rain.).
Is it will or going to?+
Use going to for a plan you made before you speak: I'm going to visit my grandma on Sunday. Use will for a decision you make now: I'm hungry. I'll make a sandwich. With tell: I'm going to tell (a plan), I'll tell (a decision now).
How do you make the negative of tell in the Future Simple?+
Use will not + the base form, or the short form won't: I won't tell, she won't tell. Careful with the spelling: the short form is won't, not willn't.
How do you make a question with tell in the Future Simple?+
Put will before the subject: Will you tell…?, When will she tell…? The main verb stays in the base form, with no -s and no to. Short answers: Yes, I will. / No, I won't.
Related pages: tell Future Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Updated on 12 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 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/tell/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.
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More forms of the verb to tell are coming soon.