Simple Future Tense

The simple future tense refers to action that has not yet occurred. The simple future tense is usually formed with the helping verbs shall or will. With the pronouns I and we, the use of shall is preferable in formal writing.

Examples 1

Complete the simple future tense verb form by replacing each blank with will or shall, as you would do in formal writing.

1. Anthony ____________ play the tuba in the next parade.
2. Shalene and I ____________ march with the band.
3. It ____________ snow tomorrow.
4. I ____________ build a snow fort.
5. Bob ____________ vote next Tuesday.
6. Kerry and I ____________ win.
7. I ____________ sing.
8. Rich ____________ investigate previous members of Congress.
9. The three Washburn brothers ____________ remain famous for serving in Congress at the same time.
10. We ____________ never know for certain where houseflies go for the winter.
11. From now on, I ____________ remember that the Vice President of the United States is the leader of the Senate.
12. In the Senate chamber tomorrow, the Vice President ____________ vote only if there is a tie.
13. The O'Rourke Family ____________ visit Washington, D.C. this spring.
14. Next, we ____________ research the orangutan of Indonesia.

Solutions

We complete the simple future tense as follows:

1. Anthony will play the tuba in the next parade.
2. Shalene and I shall march with the band.
3. It will snow tomorrow.
4. I shall build a snow fort.
5. Bob will vote next Tuesday.
6. Kerry and I shall win.
7. I shall sing.
8. Rich will investigate previous members of Congress.
9. The three Washburn brothers will remain famous for serving in Congress at the same time.
10. We shall never know for certain where houseflies go for the winter.
11. From now on, I shall remember that the Vice President of the United States is the leader of the Senate.
12. In the Senate chamber tomorrow, the Vice President will vote only if there is a tie.
13. The O'Rourke Family will visit Washington, D.C. this spring.
14. Next, we shall research the orangutan of Indonesia.

In informal writing, the helping verb shall is sometimes used with pronouns other than I and we in order to show strong emotion or to imply a threat or command.

• You shall visit the doctor today.
• He shall pay back every cent!
• Andrea shall finish her homework before playing!

Errors to Avoid

Do not use the present in place of the simple future tense.

• NO: Tomorrow, I rake the leaves. 
• YES: Tomorrow, I shall rake the leaves.

• NO: We race next Thursday.
• YES: We shall race next Thursday.

• NO: Next week, she plays her cello.
• YES: Next week, she will play her cello.

• NO: They finish the project next month.
• YES: They will finish the project next month.

• NO: Later, they announce the winners of the contest.
• YES: Later, they will announce the winner of the contest.

• NO: The Senate decides the outcome next month.
• YES: The Senate will decide the outcome next month.

Examples 2

Identify the following underlined verbs as present, past or simple future tense.

1. Utah borders Idaho.
2. Grandma will bake pies for Thanksgiving.
3. Ben laughed.
4. Dad walked the dog.
5. The coyote chased the rabbit.
6. A generation lasts thirty to thirty-three years.
7. With a telescope, Galileo discovered sunspots, lunar mountains and valleys, and Jupiter's four largest satellites.
8. Stars revolve around the centers of galaxies.
9. Will you explore space through the huge Hale telescope on top of Mount Palomar in California?

Solutions