1.

Future Tense Explained (1) RAINBOW OF EDUCATION

Verbs in English grammar appear in different tenses. Tenses give us a more or less
accurate insight in the time events or actions happen.

In common, actions can occur in the past, in the present, or in the future.

1. The past tense describes actions that happened in the past.

2. The present tense is used to describe actions that happen now or actions that
take place continuously.

3. The future tense is used to describe actions that have not yet taken place.
They will happen in the near or far future. (e.g., later, tomorrow, next week, next
year, two years from now).

Future Tense:

There is not only one future tense in English.

The future tense is subdivided in four groups.

In basic grammar we only pay attention to the 2 main groups:

1. Will

2. Be going to.

A. Will

Subject Will Base Form of the Verb

He will go.

past present future

1. Future Tense Explained (1) RAINBOW OF EDUCATION

2. Future Tense Explained (2) RAINBOW OF EDUCATION

Use ‘Will’

1. To inform somebody about a future action.

“I will go there now.”

2. Respond to somebody else’s complaint or request for help.

(Complaint: Somebody says that something is wrong.)

“I will correct our mistake immediately Sir.”

“I will help you mow the grass.”

3. Express a promise:
“I will call you when I arrive.”

3. To express a prediction not based on evidence.

A prediction is a statement (something we say) about what we think will happen in the
future.
A prediction with ‘will’ is not based on evidence. This means that we predict something
but we have no proof that our prediction will come true.
“You will win!” There is no proof that you will win. It’s not certain.
“I’m sure that he will be the next president.” There is no proof. After the election we will
know if he is the next president or not.
“Don’t worry.” “The weather will be great during our holiday.” You cannot know this for
sure. There is no evidence now that the weather will be great.
“The director is often ill.” ”He will resign.” There is no proof he will resign. The director is
the only person who knows if he will resign or not. Not the speaker.

4. Make a rapid decision:

“Wait,” “I will get some coffee first.”
“You don’t need to do that grandmother.” “I will do that for you.”

2. Future Tense Explained (2) RAINBOW OF EDUCATION

 3. Future Tense Explained (3) RAINBOW OF EDUCATION

Use ‘Will’

1. In affirmative (positive) sentences

 I will come. I’ll come. (contracted/short)

 You will go. You’ll go.
 He will arrive. He’ll arrive.
 She will clean. She’ll clean.
 It will stop. It’ll stop.
 We will slow down. We’ll slow down.
 They will paint. They’ll paint.

2. In negative sentences with to be:

 I will not be at the final contest. I’ll not (won’t) be at the final contest.

 You will not go there. You’ll not (won’t) go there.

 He will not attend the ceremony.
 She will not be at the final contest.
 It will not be back in time.
 We will not buy anything at the market.
 They will not solve the problem today.
He’ll not (won’t) attend the ceremony.
She’ll not (won’t) be at the final contest.
It’ll not (won’t) be back in time.
We’ll not (won’t) buy anything at the
market.
They’ll not (won’t) solve the problem
today.

Use ‘won’t’ for emphasizing something we say.

“You will come here now!” I won’t!

3. Future Tense Explained (3) RAINBOW OF EDUCATION

 4. Future Tense Explained (4) Conjugations Chart RAINBOW OF EDUCATION

1. yes 6. answer: 7. answer:

2. yes,short 3. no 4. no, short 5. question
yes no

No, I'll
I will. I'll I will not. I'll not. Will I Yes, I will. not.
(won't.)
No, you'll
You will Yes, you
You will. You'll You'll not. Will you not.
not. will.
(won't)
No, he'll
He will Yes, he
He will. He'll He'll not. Will he not.
not. will.
(won't)
No. she'll
She will Yes, she
She will. She'll She'll not. Will she not.
not. will.
(won't)
No, it'll
Yes, it
It will. It'll It will not. It'll not. Will it not.
will.
(won't)
No, we'll
We will Yes, we not.
We will. We'll We'll not. Will we
not. will. (won't)
No,
They will They'll Yes, they
They will. They'll Will they they'll
not. not. will.
not.
(won't)

Use ‘won’t’ in a more emphasized expression. “You

will go there.”

“No I won’t!”

4. Future Tense Explained (4) Conjugations Chart RAINBOW OF EDUCATION