Future Tense

Future tense shows a verb that denotes an action scheduled to happen later. It informs us about the future course of consequences. There are four types of future tense that portray different time frames of action.

Different Types of Future Tense

There are four types of Future Tense – 

• Simple Future Tense

• Future Continuous Tense

• Future Perfect Tense

• Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Simple Future Tense

The simple future tense is used to describe a future activity or event. It’s a verb that refers to an activity or program that hasn’t started yet. The simple future can be used to convey capability, intention, or determination, as well as to compute the probability. Future simple is another name for it. The simple future is represented by adding the supporting verbs will or shall (or just a contracted version of will or shall) to the natural form of a verb (for example, “I will write the report” or “I won’t depart on Wednesday”).

It can be used in affirmative, interrogative and negative sentences. Both ‘will’ and ‘shall’ can be used in these sentences. Examples: 

• It will rain tonight.

• Why won’t she tell him everything?

• I’ll prepare lunch.

• I will study after watching a show.

• Susan will go to the museum tomorrow.

• I will attend the meeting tomorrow.

Future Continuous Tense

The future continuous tense, also called the future progressive tense, is used to portray a continuous occasion later on in the future. It comprises two sections: an auxiliary verb will/shall be and the present participle form of the main verb-  ‘will/shall be’ + the current participle (- ing).

 In the accompanying circumstances, the future progressive tense is used:

• To make predictions about the future

• Inquire or ask about upcoming events.

• To refer to future events that are ongoing or occur on a regular basis.

Examples: 

• I will be studying for an hour.

• Will I be spending too much money if I buy a new phone?

• He will be fighting his way to the wrestling championship.

• I will be playing badminton at 6 am tomorrow.

• She will be studying maths at 8 pm tonight.

• What will she be doing at 5 pm tomorrow?

Future Perfect Tense

In contrast with the two types of tense expressed, the future perfect tense is somewhat more complex. It is used to portray an event/ task that will be done eventually.

The future perfect comprises two sections: an auxiliary verb “will/shall have” and the primary verb’s past participle.

Examples: 

• By November, Mary will have taken over that role.

• Sam will have married Jerry by then.

• Will you have married me by then?

• Will Mom have cooked her favourite meal?

• My brother will not have saved enough money yet.

• Dad will have cooked my favourite meal.

Future Perfect Progressive Tense

This tense is used to address a continuous occasion that will end eventually. A reference to a time period shows when an occurrence or action started and how long it will progress. 

It takes the auxiliary verb will/shall + have + been + the present participle of the main verb.

Examples: 

• I will have been studying for 2 hours by lunch.

• By the time the car arrives, they will have been surviving without proper food for two days.

• My brother will have been living in Canada for ten years at that point.

• She will have been sleeping for four hours by 7 pm.

• I will have been teaching at this university for three years.

• By their 50th wedding anniversary, this tree will have been growing for 30 years.

Conclusion

The future tense expresses an event that has not yet occurred. Other future tenses, such as future perfect, are more concerned with the details of upcoming events. There are four types of future tense indicating a future event to happen, its duration and its longevity. One should be careful about the proper use of different tenses.