Future Tense

Future Tense is used for showing activity or event happens in the future.

For showing the future we can use will/shall and be+going to.

Will/Shall for showing future activity in general and it’s usually without any plan. And be+going to for showing future activity in specific or with plan.

Will used for all subjects (They, We, You, I, She, He, It)

Shall used only for subjects We and I.

And be1 for be+going to

Is for subjects she, He, It

Are for subjects They, We, You.

Am for subject I.

And here the pattern of future tense using will and shall before we explain the functions of it:

Will/Shall

Verbal:

( + ) Subject + Will/Shall + Verb1 + Object

We shall go to Tokyo tomorrow.

I shall go to Tokyo tomorrow.

They will go to Tokyo tomorrow.

You will go to Tokyo tomorrow.

She will go to Tokyo tomorrow.

He will go to Tokyo tomorrow.

It will go to Tokyo tomorrow.

Note: After modal Will/Shall must be Verb1 or Infinitive.

( - ) Subject + Will/Shall + Not + Verb1 + Object

We shall not go to Tokyo tomorrow.

I shall not go to Tokyo tomorrow.

They will not go to Tokyo tomorrow.

You will not go to Tokyo tomorrow.

She will not go to Tokyo tomorrow.

He will not go to Tokyo tomorrow.

It will not go to Tokyo tomorrow.

Note: For negative form only add not after Modal Will/Shall and the Verb still Verb1.

( ? ) Will/Shall + Subject + Verb1 + Object?

Shall we go to Tokyo tomorrow?

Shall i go to Tokyo tomorrow?

Will they go to Tokyo tomorrow?

Will you go to Tokyo tomorrow?

Will she go to Tokyo tomorrow?

Will he go to Tokyo tomorrow?

Will it go to Tokyo tomorrow?

Note: In interrogative form move Modal Will/Shall in front of the subjects. And the answer can be Yes/No

Nominal:

( + ) Subject + Will/Shall + be + Object of Complement

We shall be in Tokyo tomorrow.

I shall be in Tokyo tomorrow.

They will be in Tokyo tomorrow.

You will be in Tokyo tomorrow.

She will be in Tokyo tomorrow.

He will be in Tokyo tomorrow.

It will be in Tokyo tomorrow.

Note: Nominal in positive add be because after Modal Will/Shall isn’t Verb.

( - ) Subject + Will/Shall + Not + be + Object of Complement.

We shall not be in Tokyo tomorrow.

I shall not be in Tokyo tomorrow.

They will not be in Tokyo tomorrow.

You will not be in Tokyo tomorrow.

She will not be in Tokyo tomorrow.

He will not be in Tokyo tomorrow.

It will not be in Tokyo tomorrow.

Note: In negative just add not after Will/Shall.

( ? ) Will/Shall + Subject + be + Object of Complement?

Shall we be in Tokyo tomorrow?

Shall i be in Tokyo tomorrow?

Will they be in Tokyo tomorrow?

Will you be in Tokyo tomorrow?

Will she be in Tokyo tomorrow?

Will he be in Tokyo tomorrow?

Will it be in Tokyo tomorrow?

Note: The same like Verbal form move Modal Will/Shall in front of the subjects in interrogative form. And the answer can be Yes/No.

Be + Going to

Verbal:

( + ) Subject + be1 + Going to + Verb1 + Object

They are going to travel the world next month.

We are going to travel the world next month.

You are going to travel the world next month.

I am going to travel the world next month.

She is going to travel the world next month.

He is going to travel the world next month.

It is going to travel the world next month.

Note: after going to, we put Verb1 (travel)

( - ) Subject + be1 + Not + Going to + Verb1 + Object

They are not going to travel the world next month.

We are not going to travel the world next month.

You are not going to travel the world next month.

I am not going to travel the world next month.

She is not going to travel the world next month.

He is not going to travel the world next month.

It is not going to travel the world next month.

Note: In negative sentence just add not after is, are, and am.

( ? ) Be1 + Subject + Going to + Verb1 + Object?

Are they going to travel the world next month?

Are we going to travel the world next month?

Are you going to travel the world next month?

Am I going to travel the world next month?

Is she going to travel the world next month?

Is he going to travel the world next month?

Is it going to travel the world next month?

Note: Move be1 (Is, Are, Am) in front of the subjects.

Nominal:

( + ) Subject + be1 + Going to + be1 + Object of Complement.

They are going to be in New York next month.

We are going to be in New York next month.

You are going to be in New York next month.

I am going to be in New York next month.

She is going to be in New York next month.

He is going to be in New York next month.

It is going to be in New York next month.

Note: after Going to add be if followed by noun, adjective, and adverb of place.

( - ) Subject + be1 + Not + Going to + be1 + Object of Complement.

They are not going to be in New York next month.

We are not going to be in New York next month.

You are not going to be in New York next month.

I am not going to be in New York next month.

She is not going to be in New York next month.

He is not going to be in New York next month.

It is not going to be in New York next month.

( ? ) Be1 + Subject + Going to + be1 + Object of Complement?

Are they going to be in New York next month?

Are we going to be in New York next month?

Are you going to be in New York next month?

Am I going to be in New York next month?

Is she going to be in New York next month?

Is he going to be in New York next month?

Is it going to be in New York next month?

OK. Now to make it clear the differences between the uses of will/shall and be+going to, let’s check the explanation out.

The functions of Will/Shall:

1. For showing activity will be done in the future in general.

Example:

- He will send the postcard.

- I shall go to Tokyo tomorrow.

2. For showing vow/engagement in the future.

Example:

- He will meet you by ten.

- She will help you with your homework tomorrow.

3. For showing requirement.

Example:

- He will give you a good dictionary if you go with him.

- I shall finish this task if you provide me all material for making it.

4. It’s used for begging someone to do something.

Example:

- Will you help me to take my ATM card in my bag?

- Will you write me an application letter?

The functions of be + Going to:

1. The be going to form expresses the subject’s intention to perform a certain future action.

2. The intention is always premeditated and there is usually also the idea that someone preparation for the action has already been made.

Example:

- I am going to meet my friends at the café at seven.

- She is going to call me after dinner.

Long enough explanation hehehe.... OK see yaa in next tenses explanations. (dee-english)