Future Simple vs Future Perfect: How to Use Them Correctly
The future simple and the future perfect are two verb tenses that are used to talk about events or actions that will happen in the future. However, they have different meanings and uses, and it is important to know how to distinguish them. In this article, we will explain what the future simple and the future perfect are, how to form them, how to use them, and what are the differences between them.
future simple
What is the future simple tense?
The future simple tense is used to express a decision, a prediction, a promise, or a spontaneous action that will happen in the future. For example:
I will call you tomorrow. (decision)
It will rain tomorrow. (prediction)
I will never lie to you. (promise)
Wait, I will help you. (spontaneous action)
How to form the future simple tense
The future simple tense is formed by using will or shall (mostly for I and we) followed by the base form of the verb. For example:
I will study hard for the exam.
We shall overcome this challenge.
To make a negative sentence, we add not after will or shall. We can also use contractions: won't or shan't. For example:
I will not (or won't) forget your birthday.
We shall not (or shan't) give up hope.
To make a question, we put will or shall before the subject. For example:
How to use future simple tense in English
Future simple tense examples and exercises
Future simple vs future continuous: what's the difference?
Future simple with will and shall: rules and exceptions
Future simple for predictions and promises
Future simple or present simple for future events
Future simple with if clauses and time clauses
Future simple negative and interrogative forms
Future simple with modal verbs: can, may, might, etc.
Future simple in reported speech and indirect questions
How to teach future simple tense to ESL students
Future simple tense games and activities for the classroom
Future simple tense worksheets and quizzes
Future simple tense pronunciation and spelling
Future simple tense in British and American English
How to avoid common mistakes with future simple tense
Future simple with going to: when to use each one
Future simple with be about to and be due to
Future simple with other expressions of future time: soon, tomorrow, next week, etc.
Future simple with verbs of perception: see, hear, smell, etc.
How to form contractions with future simple tense
Future simple with adverbs of frequency and manner: always, never, often, etc.
Future simple with verbs of hope, expectation, and intention: hope, expect, intend, etc.
Future simple with verbs of preference and opinion: prefer, like, want, think, etc.
Future simple with verbs of suggestion and request: suggest, ask, offer, etc.
How to use future simple tense in academic writing
Future simple tense in different types of sentences: statements, questions, commands, etc.
Future simple tense in different genres and registers: formal, informal, spoken, written, etc.
How to use future simple tense in conditional sentences
How to use future simple tense in subordinate clauses
How to use future simple tense for polite expressions
How to use future simple tense for emphasis and certainty
How to use future simple tense for speculation and possibility
How to use future simple tense for habits and routines in the future
How to use future simple tense for arrangements and plans in the future
How to use future simple tense for invitations and offers
How to use future simple tense for warnings and threats
How to use future simple tense for advice and recommendations
How to use future simple tense for orders and instructions
How to use future simple tense for predictions based on evidence or experience
Will you marry me?
Shall we go to the park?
How to use the future simple tense
We use the future simple tense in the following situations:
To express a decision that we make at the moment of speaking, without a prior plan. For example:
A: There is no milk in the fridge.B: Don't worry, I will buy some on my way home.
A: I'm bored.B: I will play a game with you.
To express a prediction that we make based on our opinion, belief, or evidence. For example:
I think he will pass the test. He studied a lot.
The sky is cloudy. It will rain soon.
To express a promise that we make to someone about the future. For example:
I won't tell anyone your secret.
I won't be late. I promise.
To express a spontaneous action that we offer or agree to do in the future. For example:
A: I'm hungry.B: I won't cook. Do you want to order pizza?
A: Can you help me with this project?B: Sure, I will help.
</ What is the future perfect tense?
The future perfect tense is used to express an action that will be completed before a certain time or another action in the future. For example:
She will have finished her homework by 8 pm. (completed before a certain time)
I will have left before you arrive. (completed before another action)
How to form the future perfect tense
The future perfect tense is formed by using will have followed by the past participle of the verb. For example:
We will have reached our destination by noon.
They will have learned a lot from this course.
To make a negative sentence, we add not after will have. We can also use contractions: won't have. For example:
He won't have finished his project by tomorrow.
You won't have heard from him by then.
To make a question, we put will have before the subject. For example:
Will you have done your homework by 8 pm?
Will they have arrived by the time we get there?
How to use the future perfect tense
We use the future perfect tense in the following situations:
To express an action that will be completed before a specific time in the future. We often use time expressions such as by, by then, by the time, before, until, etc.. For example:
I won't have slept until midnight. (completed before a specific time)
By the time you read this, I will have left. (completed by the time of another action)
To express an action that will be completed before another action in the future. We often use the future simple tense for the second action. For example:
She won't have finished her homework when her parents come home. (completed before another action)
I will have cleaned the house before you come back. (completed before another action)
To express a prediction or an assumption about an action that will be completed in the future. For example:
The scientists won't have found a cure for cancer by 2030. (prediction)
You won't have seen this movie yet. It's new. (assumption)
What are the differences between the future simple and the future perfect?
The future simple and the future perfect are both used to talk about the future, but they have different meanings and uses. Here are some of the main differences between them:
Time reference
The future simple tense refers to an action that will happen in the future, without specifying when. The future perfect tense refers to an action that will be completed before a certain time or another action in the future. For example:
I will go to the cinema tomorrow. (future simple: no specific time)
I will have gone to the cinema by 8 pm. (future perfect: completed before a specific time)
Certainty
The future simple tense can express a decision, a prediction, a promise, or a spontaneous action that will happen in the future, but it does not indicate how certain or probable the action is. The future perfect tense can express a prediction or an assumption about an action that will be completed in the future, but it usually implies a high degree of certainty or probability. For example:
I will call you tomorrow. (future simple: no indication of certainty)
I will have called you by tomorrow. (future perfect: implies a high degree of certainty)
Examples
Here are some examples of sentences using the future simple and the future perfect tenses:
Future Simple
Future Perfect
I will visit my grandparents next week.
I will have visited my grandparents by next week.
She won't study for the exam.
She won't have studied for the exam.
Will you help me with this project?
Will you have helped me with this project?
We won't be late. We promise.
We won't have been late. We promise.
They won't play soccer tomorrow. It's raining.
They won't have played soccer tomorrow. It's raining.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the future simple and the future perfect are two verb tenses that are used to talk about events or actions that will happen in the future, but they have different meanings and uses. The future simple tense is used to express a decision, a prediction, a promise, or a spontaneous action that will happen in the future, without specifying when. The future perfect tense is used to express an action that will be completed before a certain time or another action in the future, and it usually implies a high degree of certainty or probability. To form the future simple tense, we use will or shall followed by the base form of the verb. To form the future perfect tense, we use will have followed by the past participle of the verb.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the future simple and the future perfect tenses:
Can I use other modal verbs instead of will or shall for the future simple tense?Yes, you can use other modal verbs such as can, may, might, should, etc. to express different degrees of possibility, ability, permission, obligation, etc. for the future simple tense. For example:I can go to the party tomorrow. (ability)
You may travel abroad next year. (permission)
We might see each other again. (possibility)
You should study for the test. (obligation)
Can I use other modal verbs instead of will have for the future perfect tense?No, you cannot use other modal verbs for the future perfect tense. You can only use will have followed by the past participle of the verb.
Can I use be going to instead of will for the future simple tense?Yes, you can use be going to instead of will for the future simple tense, but only when you have a plan or an intention for the future, not when you make a decision, a prediction, a promise, or a spontaneous action. For example:
I am going to visit my grandparents next week. (plan)
She is going to study for the exam. (intention)
I will call you tomorrow. (decision)
It will rain tomorrow. (prediction)
I will never lie to you. (promise)
Wait, I will help you. (spontaneous action)
Can I use the present simple or the present continuous instead of the future simple tense?Yes, you can use the present simple or the present continuous instead of the future simple tense, but only when you talk about a fixed schedule, a timetable, or an arrangement for the future, not when you express a decision, a prediction, a promise, or a spontaneous action. For example:
The train leaves at 10 am. (present simple: fixed schedule)
We are leaving at 10 am. (present continuous: arrangement)
I won't leave until you come back. (future simple: promise)
I won't be leaving until you come back. (future continuous: action in progress in the future)
Can I use the present perfect instead of the future perfect tense?No, you cannot use the present perfect instead of the future perfect tense. The present perfect tense is used to express an action that has been completed in the past, but has a connection to the present. The future perfect tense is used to express an action that will be completed in the future, before a certain time or another action in the future.
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