The Verb Phrase - Part 3 - Future Tense
Once a month I enjoy sharing with you a quick lesson about the English language. No matter what business you are in, or if you are a writer, it is imperative to know how to write and speak in proper English. After I completed my English Composition class in college, I began to write better, because I had a stronger understanding of the English language. When mechanics are learning how to work on cars, they take them apart to learn how to put them back together correctly.
Enjoy this lesson on future tense. If you missed the previous lessons, you click here for Present Tense and Past Tense.
Future Tense
Fun Fact! There is no future form of verbs in English as it is in other languages like Latin.
Example:
Latin
Vocō
Vocābam
vocābō
English
I am writing.
I was writing.
I will write.
English has specific forms for present and past (label, labeled). However, you add words to indicate the future event. English grammarians of the past attempted to create equivalents for the Latin verb forms, and they decided future tense in English is formed by adding shall or will to the infinitive (basic word form): shall label, will label.
As we have progressed with the English language future tense is often expressed in other ways besides shall and will.
In the examples below future time is clearly stated, but only one of them uses will:
Class registration will end Friday
Class registration ends Friday
Class registration is going to end Friday.
Class registration should end Friday.
Class registration could end Friday.
Class registration must end Friday.
Even though there are many ways to express future time in English, only the verb with will and shall are called future tense.
How do you use past tense verbs? Grammar Tip From #TheWriteCoach
The Rules
Of course! There are rules on how to use will and shall properly.
Use shall in first person, and will in second and third persons to communicate a prediction about the future,
Ex. I shall possibly move to a new home in August.
They will possibly move to a new home in August.
Reverse the choice to express a promise, demand, or a threat:
Ex. I will pay you on Friday.
Amanda shall pay me on Friday.
Observe the contrast between the prediction and threat:
Ex. We shall be early. (prediction)
We will not permit your rudeness. (threat)
The use of will in questions is first person, as well as in second and third person, suggests a prediction. Using shall in a question indicates a preference.
Ex. Where will we eat? (prediction)
Where shall we eat? (preference)
In many parts of the English speaking world use shall, it has become rare in American English except for questions.
So, it is time to relax! Now you know how to use future tense!
Do you have a grammar question?
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