The Future Tense describes events/activities that are to happen later the same day or in near or distant time after the immediate time.

13.1 Usage:

The future can be expressed in four ways in English:

A:. by using the Simple Future Tense will/shall with an infinitive.

e.g. The teacher will give me the answer on Monday.

B: by using the Present Continuous Tense of the verb to go with an infinitive when the action is to take place very soon:

e.g. I am going to wash my car.

C: by using the Present Continuous Tense with a word/phrase indicating the future:

e.g. The Channel Tunnel is opening for passenger travel next year.

D: by using a statement beginning with let us or let's when wishing to ask a question:

e.g. Let's go to the cinema this evening! (Shall we go to the cinema this evening?)

Let's eat our lunch now! (Shall we eat our lunch now?)

13.2 Structure: The Simple Future Tense:

The verb to sit:

singular plural

I will sit We will sit

You will sit You will sit

He/she/it will sit They will sit

The general rule for construction of the Simple Future Tense of verbs is:

Use the auxiliary verb will followed by the infinitive form of the main verb.

N.B. Shall is used with the same meaning as will only in the first person singular and plural

N.B. The Simple Future Tense can be spoken/written in a shortened form.

e.g. I'll speak to you again later this week.

13.3 Structure: Negatives:

In negative sentences, the word not is placed immediately after the verb will/shall and before the infinitive form of the verb. The Simple Future Tense can be spoken/written in two ways with the same meaning:

AUX V

e.g. I will not walk home from work.

I wont walk home from work.

13.4 Structure: Questions:

To construct questions using the Future Tense:

A: begin the question with will/shall and leave the verb and subject in the same order as in a statement..

e.g. Statement: Christopher will begin work on Monday.

Question: Will Christopher begin work on Monday?

B: use let's to ask the question indirectly:

e.g. Let's start our homework! (meaning: Shall we start our homework?)