What is Future Tense?
- Definition: The future tense describes actions, events, or states that have not yet happened.
- Key Function: Expresses what will occur — plans, predictions, promises, and spontaneous decisions.
- Timeline: Past —— Present —— Future (Now going forward)
Example:
“I will study for the exam tomorrow.” “She is going to visit Bali next week.”
Form 1 – Simple Future (Will)
- Formula: Subject + will + Base Verb
- Usage: Spontaneous decisions, predictions, promises, offers.
- Contractions: I will → I’ll; You will → You’ll; He will → He’ll
Examples:
- Spontaneous: “The phone is ringing. I will answer it.”
- Prediction: “I think it will rain later.”
- Promise: “I will help you with your homework.”
Form 2 – Simple Future (Be Going To)
- Formula: Subject + am/is/are + going to + Base Verb
- Usage: Prior plans, intentions, and predictions based on evidence.
- Difference: “Will” = spontaneous; “Going to” = planned.
Examples:
- Plan: “We are going to have a party next Saturday.”
- Evidence: “Look at those clouds! It is going to rain.”
Form 3 – Future Continuous
- Formula: Subject + will be + Verb-ing
- Usage: Actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.
- Key words: at this time tomorrow, at 8 PM tonight, next week at…
Examples:
- “At 8 PM tonight, I will be watching my favorite movie.”
- “This time tomorrow, we will be flying to Jakarta.”
