Simple Future
A complete A2 guide to simple future forms with will and be going to for decisions, predictions, offers, promises, and plans.
What Is the Simple Future?
English has several ways to talk about the future. At A2 level, the two most useful forms are will and be going to.
| Form | Main Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
will + base verb | decisions now, predictions, offers, promises | I will call you later. |
be going to + base verb | plans, intentions, visible future evidence | I am going to study tonight. |
Future with Will
Use will + base verb for decisions you make now.
A: The phone is ringing.
B: I will answer it.
Use will for predictions, especially when you think or believe something.
I think it will rain tomorrow.
She will love this book.
Use will for offers and promises.
That bag looks heavy. I will help you.
I will pay you back tomorrow.
The negative form is will not or won't.
I won't be late.
They won't forget.
Questions use will + subject + base verb.
Will you come to the party?
Will they perform on Friday?
Future with Be Going To
Use be going to + base verb for plans and intentions.
I am going to visit my cousins this summer.
She is going to take a cooking class.
They are going to move next month.
Use going to when you can see evidence now.
Look at those black clouds. It is going to rain.
He is not looking. He is going to walk into the wall.
Forms
| Subject | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| I | I am going to study. | I am not going to study. |
| he / she / it | She is going to study. | She is not going to study. |
| you / we / they | They are going to study. | They are not going to study. |
Questions use be + subject + going to + base verb.
Are you going to travel?
Is he going to cook dinner?
Will or Going To?
Sometimes both are possible, but there is a useful difference.
| Situation | Better Choice | Example |
|---|---|---|
| You decide now | will | I forgot. I will call her now. |
| You already have a plan | going to | I am going to call her tonight. |
| You make a prediction from opinion | will | I think the show will be fun. |
| You make a prediction from evidence now | going to | Look at the sky. It is going to rain. |
| You offer or promise | will | I will help you. I won't tell anyone. |
Common Future Time Expressions
| Expression | Example |
|---|---|
| tonight | I am going to study tonight. |
| tomorrow | We will meet tomorrow. |
| next week / next month | She is going to travel next week. |
| soon | They will arrive soon. |
| this summer | I am going to work this summer. |
| in the future | Robots will do more jobs in the future. |
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Better | Why |
|---|---|---|
I will to study. | I will study. | Use will + base verb. |
She going to travel. | She is going to travel. | Use be before going to. |
They are going travel. | They are going to travel. | Use to before the base verb. |
I am go to call you. | I am going to call you. | The form is be going to. |
I won't to forget. | I won't forget. | Use won’t + base verb. |
Practice: Exercises
I forgot my homework. I ___ do it now.
Summary
Use will + base verb for decisions made now, predictions, offers, and promises. Use won't + base verb for negative future meaning.
Use be going to + base verb for plans and intentions, and for predictions based on evidence you can see now. Always include the correct form of be: I am, she is, they are.