If you ask a class of A2 or B1 students how to talk about the future in English, almost everyone shouts the same word: will. It is the first future form most learners meet, and it feels safe. The trouble is that English speakers do not actually use will for most of the future things they talk about. We use it for some situations, but for plans and arrangements we usually choose something else.
In this lesson we will look at how to form the future simple, when it really is the right choice, and — just as importantly — when it is the wrong one. By the end you should feel much more confident choosing between will, going to and the present continuous when you talk about tomorrow, next week or next summer.
How to form the future simple
The good news is that the future simple is one of the easiest tenses in English. There is only one form for every person — no extra -s for he, she or it.
Positive: subject + will + base verb.
- I will call you later.
- She will love this restaurant.
- They will be tired after the flight.
In speech and informal writing we almost always use the contraction: I’ll, you’ll, he’ll, she’ll, it’ll, we’ll, they’ll. If you say the full I will in a normal sentence, it sounds strangely emphatic, as if you are arguing with someone.
Negative: subject + will not / won’t + base verb.
- I won’t be late, I promise.
- He won’t like that idea.
Questions: will + subject + base verb.
- Will you help me with this?
- What will the weather be like tomorrow?
Notice that the verb after will never changes. We say she will go, never she will goes or she will to go.
When to use the future simple
There are four situations where will is genuinely the right choice. Try to memorise these — they cover most of the natural uses.
1. Predictions based on opinion or belief. When you think something will happen but you have no concrete evidence in front of you, will is perfect.
- I think Malta will be very hot in August.
- She’ll probably pass the exam — she has studied for weeks.
2. Instant decisions made at the moment of speaking. You decide right now, while you are talking.
- (Phone rings) — I’ll get it!
- (Looking at a menu) — I’ll have the pasta, please.
3. Promises. When you commit to doing something for someone.
- I’ll send you the photos tonight.
- Don’t worry, we won’t forget your birthday.
4. Offers. When you offer to help.
- You look tired. I’ll make you a coffee.
- I’ll carry that bag for you.
When NOT to use the future simple
This is the part most A2 and B1 students get wrong. English has two other ways of talking about the future, and for plans and arrangements they are almost always better than will.
Use “going to” for pre-planned actions and intentions. If you decided before the moment of speaking, use be going to + verb.
- I’m going to study English in Malta this summer. (I decided last month.)
- We’re going to buy a new car next year.
Use the present continuous for fixed arrangements. If something is in your diary — a flight booked, a meeting scheduled, a class organised — use am/is/are + verb-ing.
Look at how the three forms work in similar sentences:
- Will: I think I’ll go to the cinema tonight. (Just decided.)
- Going to: I’m going to go to the cinema tonight. (Decided earlier — it’s my plan.)
- Present continuous: I’m going to the cinema tonight. (Tickets booked, friends meeting me at 8.)
All three sentences are about tonight, but they tell the listener something different about how the future event came to be.
Useful expressions and adverbs
Because will is often used for predictions, it pairs naturally with words that show how sure you are. Slot these into your sentences and you will sound much more natural.
- I think / I don’t think — I think it’ll rain later. I don’t think she’ll come.
- probably / probably won’t — He’ll probably be late. They probably won’t notice.
- maybe / perhaps — Maybe we’ll see you at the party.
- I doubt / I’m sure — I doubt she’ll agree. I’m sure you’ll love Malta.
Notice the position: probably goes after will in positive sentences (he’ll probably) but before won’t in negatives (he probably won’t).
Time expressions are the same as for any future form: tomorrow, tonight, next week, next month, next summer, in three days, in a few hours, on Monday.
Common mistakes
Here are the slips we hear most often in class. If you can avoid these, your future tenses will already sound much better.
1. Using “will” for arranged plans.
- I will go to the cinema tomorrow. — usually wrong if you have already arranged it.
- Better: I’m going to the cinema tomorrow.
2. Adding “to” after will.
- I will to call you. — wrong.
- Correct: I will call you.
3. Conjugating the main verb.
- She will goes home. — wrong.
- Correct: She will go home.
4. Using “will” after “if” or “when” in a future sentence.
- If it will rain, we will stay home. — wrong.
- Correct: If it rains, we’ll stay home.
5. Saying “I will” instead of “I’ll” in everyday speech. It is not a grammar mistake, but the full form sounds heavy. Use the contraction unless you really want to emphasise the word.
Mini quiz
Choose the best option for each sentence. The answers are in the next section — no peeking!
- The phone is ringing. — Don’t worry, I (will get / am going to get) it.
- I’ve decided — I (will study / am going to study) abroad next year.
- Look at those clouds! It (will / is going to) rain.
- What time (will you meet / are you meeting) Sara tomorrow? It’s in your diary.
- I think Italy (will win / is winning) the match tonight.
- A: I’m thirsty. B: I (will / am going to) make you a tea.
- We (will fly / are flying) to Malta on Saturday — the tickets are booked.
- Don’t worry, I (won’t / am not going to) tell anyone. I promise.
- I’m sure you (will love / are loving) the rooftop view.
- If the weather (will be / is) nice tomorrow, we’ll go to the beach.
Answers
- will get (instant decision)
- am going to study (pre-planned intention)
- is going to (prediction with evidence — the clouds)
- are you meeting (fixed arrangement)
- will win (prediction based on opinion)
- will (instant offer)
- are flying (arrangement — tickets booked)
- won’t (promise)
- will love (prediction / belief)
- is (no “will” after “if” in a future conditional)
If you got most of these right, your future forms are in good shape. If a few caught you out, the best fix is to practise speaking — and Malta is a beautiful place to do exactly that. Request a quick quotation and our team will help you plan a course that suits your level and your goals.
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