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What Is a Future Tense? Know About Definition, Types & Examples

In English grammar, there are three main tenses. One of them is the future tense. The future tense is the verb form you use to say about things that haven’t happened yet and it is going to happen in the future or will be continuing in the future. However, students need to use the correct tense when speaking or writing, as it helps in communicating clearly and effectively. Thus, in this blog, we will talk everything about the future tense, its types, structure, and relevant examples. Let’s dive into the blog!

Future Tense & Its Types in English Grammar

Table of Contents

Definition & Examples of Future Tense

The ‘future tense’, as per the Cambridge Dictionary, is defined as “the form of a verb that you use when talking about something that will happen or exist.” This tense represents an action which is going to happen in the future or will be continuing in the future. However, to make you better understand below we have mentioned some future tense examples which will be helpful for you.

  • “She will cook dinner tonight.”
  • “They will visit us during the summer.”
  • “He will help you with the project tomorrow.”
  • “I will finish my homework later.”
  • “She will start her new job next week.”

These are some of the examples of future tense

Types of Future Tense with Rules & Examples

The future tense can be used in four different forms to show how the actions in the future behave differently in specific situations. However, many students are not aware that what are the 4 types of future tense? The four types of future tense are as follows:

  • Simple Future Tense
  • Future Continuous Tense
  • Future Perfect Tense
  • Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Now look below at each future tense with their examples and rules for a better understanding.

Simple Future Tense

The simple future tense is a tense that is used to depict an action that takes place in the future. Moreover, students must know that in a simple future tense action starts and finishes in the future itself. Now look at the simple future tense formula to find out how simple future tense works.

The formula of the simple future tense is as follows:

Subject + Helping Verb (will) + base form of the verb + rest of the sentence

Furthermore, when using simple future tense, students need to keep in mind some important points. Thus, below are some simple future tense rules you need to follow.

  • The simple future tense verbsshould always have two verbs- an auxiliary verb (will) and the base form of the verb.
  • Interrogative sentences must start with the helping verb ‘will’ followed by the subject and the base form of the main verb.
  • Negative sentence will be identified by the use of ‘not’ after the auxiliary verb ‘will.’

This was all about the simple future tense and its structure.

Examples of Simple Future Tense

In the table, we have mentioned the simple future tense examples based on the positive, negative, interrogative, and negative interrogative sentences.

PositiveNegativeInterrogativeNegative Interrogative
I will learn a new language.I will not learn a new language.Will I learn a new language?Won't I learn a new language?
It will snow in winter.It will not snow this winter.Will it snow this winter?Won't it snow in winter?
She will dance at the wedding.She will not dance at the wedding.Will she dance at the wedding?Won't she dance at the wedding?
The dog will bark when someone arrivesThe dog will not bark.Will the dog bark today?Won't the dog bark when someone arrives?
She will read a book tonight.She will not read a book tonight.Will she read a book tonight?Won't she read a book tonight?

These are some of the examples of simple future tense for students.

Future Continuous Tense

The future continuous tense is majorly used to show an event or action that is happening at a certain point in time in the future. It is also called the future progressive tense, as it depicts an action or event which is progressing or continuing at a particular time in the future. Now look at the future continuous tense formula for getting a detailed idea.

The formula for the future continuous tense is as follows:

Subject + Helping Verbs (will + be) + present participate form of the verb + the rest of the sentence

Have a look below at the future continuous tense rules so that you can properly use the sentences.

  • The future continuous tense consists of two helping verbs- ‘will’ and ‘be’ followed by the past participate form of the main verb.
  • The past participate of the main verb can be formed by adding an ‘ing’ to the end of the verb.
  • The tense can be done negatively by adding ‘not’ after ‘will’.
  • When used in the interrogative form, the sentence starts with the ‘will’ followed by the subject, ‘be’ and the past participate form of the verb.

This was all about future continuous tense and its rules.

Note: Future continuous tense can be used only with action verbs and never with stative verbs.

Examples of Future Continuous Tense

Below are the following future continuous tense examples for students who are looking to improve their grammar.

PositiveNegativeInterrogativeNegative Interrogative
They will be enjoying the weatherThey will not be enjoying the weather.Will they be enjoying the weather?Won't they be enjoying the weather?
She will be going there.She will not be going there.Will she be going there?Won't she be going there?
They will be celebrating their anniversary in the evening.They will not be celebrating their anniversary in the evening.Will they be celebrating their anniversary in the evening?Won't they be celebrating their anniversary in the evening?
The baby will be sleeping peacefully.The baby will not be sleeping peacefully.Will the baby be sleeping peacefully?Won't the baby be sleeping peacefully?
She will be creating a masterpieceShe will not be creating a masterpieceWill she be creating a masterpiece?Won't she be creating a masterpiece?

These were some of the examples of future continuous tense.

Future Perfect Tense

The future perfect tense is a form of tense that is used to represent an action or event that will be over within a particular time in the future. This tense has an end date or time. Given below is the future perfect tense structure or formula that you can use in your sentences.

Here is the future perfect tense formula presented.

Subject + Helping verbs (will+have) + Past participle form of the main verb + the rest of the sentence.

Students must keep in mind future perfect tense rules so that they know when or when not to use this tense. Grab a look below at each one of them.

  • Future perfect tense can be formed only by using two auxiliary verbs (will and have) followed by the past participle of the main verb.
  • The past participle form of the verb is made by adding ‘ed’ to the end of the verb.

This was everything about the future perfect tense and its rules.

Examples of Future Perfect Tense

Below in the table, we have provided future perfect tense examples based on positive, negative, interrogative, and negative interrogative sentences.

PositiveNegativeInterrogativeNegative Interrogative
I will have finished this book.I will not have finished this book.Will I have finished writing this book?Won't I have finished this book?
They will have left JapanThey will not have left Japan.Will they have left Japan?Won't they have left Japan?
 I will have finished my novel by the end of the month.I will not have finished my novel by the end of this month.Will I have finished my novel by the end of this month?Won't I have finished my novel by the end of the month?
He will have achieved his goals by next year.He will not have achieved his goals by next year.Will he have achieved his goals by next year?Won't he have achieved his goals by next year?
They will have danced at every major event.They will not have danced at every major event.Will they have danced at every major event?Won't they have danced at every major event?

These were some of the future perfect tense examples for students.

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

The future perfect continuous tense is a form of tense that is used to refer to an action that will be continuing until a certain point of time in the future. It can also be called future perfect progressive tense as it shows an action or event that will be progressing at a specific time in the future. Now have a look at the future perfect continuous tense formula for a better understanding.

The future perfect continuous tense formula is given below.

Subject + Helping verbs (will + have + been) + Present participle form of the main verb + the rest of the sentence.

The future perfect continuous tense rules are mentioned below.

  • When using future perfect continuous tense you need to use three auxiliary verbs- will, have, and been followed by the present participle form of the main verb.
  • Also, future perfect continuous tense can only be used with action verbs and not stative verbs.

This was all about the future perfect continuous tense

Examples of Future Perfect Continuous Tense

The future perfect continuous tense examples are given below for students to understand.

PositiveNegativeInterrogativeNegative Interrogative
I will have been studying for three hours by your arrivalI will not have been studying for three hours by arrivalWill I have been studying for three hours by your arrivalWill I not been studying for three hours by your arrival?
We will have been travelling for a week when we reach our destinationWe will not have been travelling for a week when we reach our destination.Will we have been travelling for a week when we reach our destination?Won’t we have been travelling for a week when we reach our destination?
I will have been writing my thesis for several months.I will not have been writing my thesis for several monthsWill I have been writing my thesis for several months?Won’t I have been writing my thesis for several months?
He will have been studying English for 4 years before he gets his certificateHe will not been studying English for 4 years before he gets his certificateWill he have been studying English for 4 years before he gets his certificate?Won’t he have been studying English for 4 years before he gets his certificate?
He will have been playing the piano beautifully for a decade.He will not have been playing the piano beautifully for a decade.Will he have been playing the piano beautifully for a decade?Won’t he have been playing the piano beautifully for a decade?

These were the some examples of future perfect continuous tense.

Examples for Types of Future Tense

In the table we have mentioned the future tense examples as per the various types for students to understand.

Simple Future TenseFuture Continuous TenseFuture Perfect TenseFuture Perfect Continuous Tense
I will eat dinner at 7 PM.I will be eating dinner at 7 PM.By 10 PM, I will have finished my homework.By the time you arrive, I will have been studying for three hours.
She will travel to Paris next month.She will be travelling to Paris next month.She will have completed the project by next week.He will have been working on this project for a year by next week.
They will start their new project tomorrow.They will be working on the project all day tomorrow.They will have left by the time we arrive.They will have been travelling for a month by the time they return.
We will see you at the party tonight.We will be celebrating the holiday next week.We will have met all the guests by 7 PM.I will have been waiting for you for over an hour.
He will call you later.He will be studying at this time tomorrow.He will have read the book by tomorrow.She will have been studying for the exam all night.
The sun will rise at 6:30 AM tomorrow.I will be staying at my friend's house next weekend.By the time you get home, I will have cooked dinner.We will have been living here for five years by the end of the month.
I will finish my homework by the weekend.You will be watching the match on TV at 3 PM.I will have travelled to three countries by the end of the year.By 8 PM, I will have been working for ten hours.
You will love this movie.She will be meeting her colleagues at noon.She will have attended five conferences by next summer.They will have been practicing for weeks before the concert.
She will attend the meeting tomorrow.They will be running the marathon next month.They will have reached their destination by evening.I will have been jogging for 30 minutes by 9 AM.
They will buy a new car next year.We will be having a party at 8 PM tomorrow.We will have celebrated our anniversary by next month.By the time the meeting starts, he will have been preparing for it for hours.
I will go to the store tomorrow.I will be working from home tomorrow.I will have finished my book by the end of the month.I will have been studying for two hours by the time she arrives.
It will rain later today.She will be sleeping during the movie.They will have arrived at the airport by 5 PM.They will have been living in this city for ten years next year.

Overall, these are the examples of future tense of all the types.

Future Tense Worksheet with Answers

You must have understand the each type of tense with its examples and rules. Thus below we have mentioned future tense worksheet with answers to see whether you can solve it or not. Read down the questions and try to get it each one of them.

1 She ______ (will/will be) attending the meeting tomorrow.

2 By this time next year, I ______ (will have/will have been) graduated from university.

3 They ______ (are going to/will) start the project next week.

4 I ______ (will/will have) finished my homework by the time you arrive.

5 We ______ (will be/will have been) celebrating our anniversary on Saturday.

6 The train ______ (is going to/will) leave at 7:00 PM.

7 By the end of the day, he ______ (will have/will be) completed the report.

8 She ______ (will have been/will be) working here for two years by December.

9 They ______ (will/will be) travelling to Japan next month.

10 He ______ (is going to/will) call you later today.

Answers for Worksheet

1 She will be attending the meeting tomorrow.

2 By this time next year, I will have graduated from university.

3 They are going to start the project next week.

4 I will have finished my homework by the time you arrive.

5 We will be celebrating our anniversary on Saturday.

6 The train will leave at 7:00 PM.

7 By the end of the day, he will have completed the report.

8 She will have been working here for two years by December.

9 They will be travelling to Japan next month.

10 He is going to call you later today.

Conclusion

To conclude, we discussed about the future tense, its definition, types, and examples. Further, we also had a look at the rules and formulas for each type of tense. In the last, there is a worksheet for students to solve to check whether they understand the future tense or not. However, if you want to gain more knowledge about English then read our blog on tenses,proverbs,nouns, and action words for better insights.

FAQs

1 What Is a Future Tense And Examples?

In grammar, the definition of future tense is the verb form you use to talk about things that haven't happened yet. When you say, "The party will be at 8 pm." "will be" is in the future tense. Whenever you write or talk about things which you expect to happen later, you use the future tense.

2 What Are the 4 Future Tenses?

The four types of future tense are as follows:

  • Simple Future Tense
  • Future Continuous Tense
  • Future Perfect Tense
  • Future Perfect Continuous Tense

3 How to Form Future Tense?

In general, you can use the future tense structure by contracted forms of the pronoun + will: I will > I'll / he will > he'll / she will > she'll / you will > you'll / we will > we'll /they will > they'll Ex. I'll see you tomorrow. / You'll get the answer by post. Try to use the short form won't instead of will.

4 What Is the Rule of Future Perfect Tense?

The formula for the future perfect tense is pretty simple: will have + [past participle + the rest of the sentence.

5 What Is the Future Continuous Tense Used for?

The future continuous tense is used to represent an event or action that is happening at a certain point in time in the future.

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