Verb tense indicates the time and duration that an action occurs. In this lesson, we will discuss how to use the future tense of verbs in writing, including simple future, future continuous, future perfect, and future perfect continuous.
Verb Tenses
Before going out to dinner, Mom wants to know whether or not the chores have been done. Jaimie says, 'I cleaned my room.' Zach says, 'I am cleaning my room.' Billy says, 'I will clean my room.' Which one has not yet done what he is supposed to do? The three sentences are identical except for verb tense. Verb Tenses express the time frame for an action. There are three main verb tenses used in the English language. They are the present tense, past tense, and future tense. Let's examine the use of future tense.
Simple Future Tense
The simple future tense expresses an action or event that has not yet occurred. When using the simple future tense, the helping verb 'will'or 'shall' is often used to indicate that the action is forthcoming. Look at the following examples:
- The dog will go to the groomer's.
- The teacher shall assign homework.
These sentences describe what the dog and teacher will do in the future. To write or speak in simple future tense, you will usually simply add the helping verbs 'will' or 'shall.'
Another way to write simple future tense is by using a form of 'be' plus 'going to.' For example:
- Mom is going to work.
- I am going to cry.
In both of these sentences, the action has not yet happened, but will occur in the future.