Future Tense: Definition, Structure & Examples

Future tense also has four forms. However, one of the forms has no practical use.

• Simple Future (Future Indefinite) Tense
• Future Continuous Tense
• Future Perfect Tense
• Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Simple Future (Future Indefinite) Tense

The simple future tense is used when an action is promised/thought to occur in the future.

Structure:

Example:

• We shall move to another city.
• He will come to New York tomorrow.
• They will make a phone which has artificial intelligence.

Note: The structure of the present progressive tense also can be used when an action is promised/arranged/planned to take place in the near future.

Example:

• We are moving to Texas next week.
• The bus is leaving at 6.00 PM.

Future Continuous Tense

The future continuous tense is used when an action is promised/thought to be going on at a specific time/context in the future.

 Structure:

Example:

• I shall be sleeping at around 6.00 AM tomorrow.
• They will be playing at this time tomorrow.
• She will be watching TV when I come home.
• I will be working in the office while you watch a movie.

Future Perfect Tense

The future perfect tense is used to demonstrate an action which is promised to be done by a certain time in the future.

Structure:

Example:

• I shall have completed the assignment by Monday.
• She will have cleaned the house before her father comes.
• Alex will have submitted the tender by tomorrow.
• Before I go to see her, she will have left the place.
• They will have finished making the bridge by January.

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Note: There is no practical use of this tense.