Formation of the future simple (will-future)

The future simple (also called will-future) is formed by using the auxiliary verb ‘will’ together with the infinitive (base form) of the corresponding verb without ‘to’.

• Examples of forming the will-future in sentences:
  • “Peter and Tom will both buy a new car.”
  • “I think it won’t rain today.”
• Note: The auxiliary verb ‘will’ remains unchanged for all grammatical persons, which means no ‘s’ is appended in the third person either.

Particularities of the will-future – substitute forms

When using the will-future in combination with modal auxiliary verbs (see modal verbs for details), a particular aspect needs to be considered: These verbs cannot be combined with ‘will’ because they do not have a proper verb form for the future. Therefore, the following alternatives or substitute forms are employed instead:

• ‘be able to’ substitutes ‘can’:
  • “Soon, he will be able to do it on his own.”
  • “I won’t be able to make it in time.”
• ‘have to’ substitutes ‘must’:
  • “I will have to do what my boss says.”
  • “I’m sure we won’t have to stay until 9 o’clock.”
• ‘be allowed to’ substitutes ‘may’:
  • “Will I be allowed to leave a bit earlier?”
  • “The kids won’t be allowed to play in the garden.”

Verb forms of the future simple (will)

Example verb: ‘to say’

Positive/affirmative sentences

Negative sentences

Further explanations relating to the ‘Formation of the simple future tense with ‘will’’

The following explanations are related to the topic ‘Conjugation and verb forms of the future simple (will-future)’ and could help you as well:

• Future simple ‘will’ (use and explanation)
• Future continuous with ‘will + ing’ (use and explanation)
• Ways for constructing the future in English
• Future tenses (overview)
• Exercise 1: future simple with ‘will’