Future Tense Lesson: Definition, Formation, Types & Examples

Lesson Overview

• What Is the Future Tense?
• Why Do We Use the Future Tense?
• Types And Structure of Future Tense
• Examples of Future Tense Sentences

The future tense helps us talk about things that will happen later. We use it to express plans, predictions, or things we think will happen. When we talk about the future, it often sounds like we're looking ahead, preparing for what's next. 

For instance, you're talking about a trip you're excited for, or what you think the weather will be like tomorrow.

What Is the Future Tense?

The future tense is a grammatical structure used to express actions or events that are expected to happen after the present moment. 

It is formed with auxiliary verbs like "will" or "shall," or with "going to" for future plans or intentions. 

For example:

• "They will arrive tomorrow."
• "We are going to start the project next week."

Take this quiz :

Future Tenses Quiz Questions and Answers

Why Do We Use the Future Tense?

The future tense helps us express predictions, intentions, promises, and future arrangements clearly. For example, we use it when:

• Make predictions: "It will rain tomorrow, so we should bring umbrellas."
• Make plans: "We will bake a cake for the party."
• Share our dreams: "I am going to travel the world one day."
• Talk about events that happen regularly: "The train will depart at 9 AM tomorrow."

Without the future tense, we'd be stuck in the present, unable to talk about all the exciting things to come!

Take this quiz :

An English Grammar Quiz On Future Tense Sentences!

Types And Structure of Future Tense

The future tense can be expressed in four distinct forms, each highlighting different aspects of future actions. Below is an explanation of the different types of future tense with examples.

Simple Future Tense

This tense is used to describe a future action or event that will take place. 

• Structure: Subject + Will + Base form of the verb + rest of the sentence
• Example: She will finish her homework later.

Future Continuous Tense

The future continuous tense shows an action that will be ongoing at a particular moment in the future.

• Structure: Subject + Will + Be + Verb-ing + rest of the sentence
• Example: They will be playing soccer at 3 PM.

Future Perfect Tense

This tense expresses an action that will be completed before a specific point in the future.

• Structure: Subject + Will + Have + Past participle of the verb + rest of the sentence
• Example: By next week, I will have completed my project.

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

This tense is used for actions that will be ongoing until a particular point in the future. It highlights the duration of the action.

• Structure: Subject + Will + Have + Been + Verb-ing + rest of the sentence
• Example: By the end of the year, we will have been working here for 5 years.

Take this quiz :

Tenses Test: Future Tense Quiz Questions

Examples of Future Tense Sentences

1. "I will visit the zoo next weekend."
2. "By the time we arrive, the movie will have started."
3. "She will be singing at the concert tomorrow night."
4. "They will have been waiting for over an hour when the bus arrives."
5. "We will bake cookies for the party on Saturday."

Try these quizzes to practice forming sentences and identifying the different types of future tense.

Take these quiz :

Tenses Quiz: Past, Present, And Future Tense!

English Future Tense Quiz: Test Your Grammar Skills

Future Perfect Tense Quiz Questions and Answers