Last updated on October 8th, 2026 at 08:51 pm
“I’ll call you tonight.” “It will rain later.” “I’ll carry that box for you.” Three different jobs, and one small word does all of them: will.
This lesson shows how to make the future indefinite tense and when to use it. It also shows when not to use it, which is where many learners go wrong. Then you can study 50 natural example sentences.
- What the future indefinite tense is, and its other name
- How to make positive sentences, negatives and questions
- The four main uses of will
- When to use going to or the present tense instead
- 50 example sentences, grouped by use
What Is the Future Indefinite Tense?
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The future indefinite tense talks about actions that have not happened yet. We expect them to happen later.
Many books call it the simple future tense. The two names mean the same thing. The helping verb is always will (or sometimes shall), and the main verb stays in its base form.
How to Make the Future Indefinite Tense
| Sentence type | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Subject + will + base verb | She will come tomorrow. |
| Negative | Subject + will not (won’t) + base verb | She will not come tomorrow. |
| Question | Will + subject + base verb? | Will she come tomorrow? |
| Short answer | Yes, + subject + will. / No, + subject + won’t. | Yes, she will. No, she won’t. |
Will is the same for every subject: I will, he will, they will. In speech, we usually use short forms: I’ll, you’ll, she’ll, we’ll, they’ll and won’t.
Will or Shall?
Older books teach shall with I and we. Today, most speakers use will for every subject. We still use shall in questions that make an offer or a suggestion.
- Offer: Shall I open the window?
- Suggestion: Shall we go for a walk?
The 4 Main Uses of Will
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Predictions (what we think will happen) | It will be cold tomorrow. |
| Quick decisions (made while speaking) | “The phone’s ringing.” “I’ll get it.” |
| Promises | I’ll send you the photos tonight. |
| Offers and requests | I’ll help you with your bags. Will you close the door, please? |
When We Don’t Use Will
Will is not the only way to talk about the future. For some meanings, other forms sound more natural.
| Meaning | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A plan you made before | Going to | I’m going to visit my aunt on Sunday. |
| An arrangement with a time and place | Present continuous | We’re meeting at the café at six. |
| A timetable or schedule | Present simple | The train leaves at 8:15. |
| A prediction from what you can see now | Going to | Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain. |
Here are three common mistakes:
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The train will leave at 8:15 tomorrow. | The train leaves at 8:15 tomorrow. | It is a timetable. |
| I will meet Sara at the station at five. | I’m meeting Sara at the station at five. | It is an arrangement. |
| I will to call you. | I will call you. | No to after will. |
Learn more in our A2 lessons on going to for plans and will for predictions.
50 Examples of Future Indefinite Tense
10 Quick Examples
- I will call you tonight.
- She will be twenty next year.
- We will visit you in the summer.
- It will rain later.
- They won’t come to the party.
- Will you help me?
- He will finish the report tomorrow.
- I won’t tell anyone.
- The shop will open soon.
- Will they win the match?
Predictions
- You will love this film.
- It will be sunny this weekend.
- Prices will go up next year.
- I think she will get the job.
- The baby will be one year old next week.
- Our team will win the cup.
- You won’t need a coat today.
- Many people will visit the new museum.
Quick Decisions
- I’m thirsty. I’ll get some water.
- It’s late. I’ll take a taxi.
- The door is open. I’ll close it.
- I’ll have the chicken soup, please.
- That bag looks heavy. I’ll carry it.
- I’ll call him now.
- We’ll stay at home tonight.
- I don’t understand. I’ll ask the teacher.
Promises
- I will always love you.
- I’ll pay you back on Friday.
- I won’t be late again.
- We’ll send the parcel today.
- I’ll text you when I get home.
- I won’t forget your birthday this year.
- The company will fix your phone for free.
- I’ll be back in five minutes.
Offers and Requests
- I’ll help you with your homework.
- Shall I make some tea?
- Will you open the window, please?
- Shall we go for a walk?
- I’ll lend you my umbrella.
- Will you marry me?
- I’ll drive you to the airport.
- Will you pass the salt, please?
Negatives and Questions
- She won’t eat meat.
- Will they be at home tonight?
- I won’t go to the meeting on Thursday.
- Will it be cold tomorrow?
- He won’t agree with this plan.
- When will you finish?
- My parents won’t mind.
- Where will we stay in Paris?
Check your answer
Practice: Future Indefinite Tense
Part A. Will or going to? Choose the better form.
- Look at that sky. It (will rain / is going to rain).
- “I’m cold.” “I (will close / am going to close) the window.”
- We booked the tickets. We (will see / are going to see) the show on Friday.
Show answers for Part A
- Is going to rain (we can see the clouds). 2. Will close (a quick decision). 3. Are going to see (a plan made before).
Part B. Make each sentence negative. Then make it a question.
- He will come tomorrow.
- They will win.
- You will need a coat.
Show answers for Part B
- He won’t come tomorrow. Will he come tomorrow? 2. They won’t win. Will they win? 3. You won’t need a coat. Will you need a coat?
Quiz: Test Yourself
- “I ______ you tomorrow.”
- What is another name for the future indefinite tense?
- What is the short form of will not?
- “The phone’s ringing.” “______ get it!”
- “The train ______ at 8:15 tomorrow.” It is on the timetable.
- Which question makes an offer?
- “Look at those dark clouds! It ______.”
- Which sentence is a promise?
- Which question is correct?
- Which sentence is about an arrangement?
Key Takeaways
- The future indefinite tense (simple future) uses will + base verb.
- Use it for predictions, quick decisions, promises, offers and requests.
- Use going to for plans, the present continuous for arrangements, and the present simple for timetables.
- Shall is mainly used today in offers and suggestions: Shall I…? Shall we…?
- Won’t (will not) sounds different from want.
Next, see how English talks about finished actions in our 50 examples of the past indefinite tense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the future indefinite tense?
It is the tense with will + base verb, also called the simple future. We use it for predictions, promises, offers and quick decisions.
What are 10 examples of future indefinite tense?
I will call you. It will rain. She will be twenty. They won’t come. Will you help me? I’ll carry it. He will win. We’ll see. I won’t tell. Will it snow?
Which verb is used in the future indefinite tense?
The helping verb will is used with the base form of the main verb: She will travel. Shall is sometimes used in offers like “Shall I help?”
What is the difference between will and going to?
Use will for quick decisions, promises and offers. Use going to for plans you made before and for predictions based on what you can see now.
Should I use will or shall?
Today, will is used with every subject. Shall is mainly used in questions that offer or suggest something, such as “Shall we go?”
What is the negative of will?
The negative is will not, usually shortened to won’t: She won’t come. Won’t rhymes with don’t and sounds different from want.
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