Tenses: Future Simple

The future simple is used to tell activities/actions/situations that will happen in the future. Will and Be Going To are used to express future time.

Will and Be Going To + Bare Infinitive

1.       To express a PREDICTION: use either WILL or BE GOING TO

a.      According to the weather report, it will / is going to be cloudy tomorrow.

b.      Be careful! You will/are going to hurt yourself.

2.       To express WILLINGNESS: use only WILL.

a.       The phone is ringing. I will get it.

b.      If you don’t understand the lesson, ask your teacher. She will help you.

3.       To express a PRIOR PLAN: use only BE GOING TO.

a.       X: Why did you buy the paint?

Y: I am going to paint the house tomorrow.

b.      I talked to Bob yesterday. He is tired of taking the bus to work. He is going to buy a car. That’s what he told me.

Examples of Will in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences

Affirmative          Her face will turn red soon.

Negative              Her face will not turn red soon.

Interrogative        Will her face turn red soon?      
                           Yes, it will.

                           No, it won’t.

Examples of Be Going To in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences

Affirmative         I am going to do my homework tonight.

Negative             I am not going to do my homework tonight.

Interrogative       Are you going to do your homework tonight?    
                          Yes, I am.

                                   No, I am not.