Future Indefinite Tense

Future indefinite tense is also known as simple future tense. It describes an action that will take place in the coming time or in the future. We used 'shall' and 'will' in this tense, followed by the V1 (first form of the verb). Here 'shall' is used with the first person singular/plural number (I, we) while 'will' is used with the second and third person singular/plural number (he, she, it, you, they, john, girls, etc.) and also with other all subjects. However, 'will' is also used with first-person (I, we) in affirmative and negative sentences if there is an expression of determination and certainty, but it is not used with interrogative sentences. The structure of the future indefinite tense is:

Subject + shall/will + V1 (I form of verb) + other words

Examples:

I shall complete my homework this evening.
We shall go to the picnic next week.
My mother will go for teacher's training tomorrow.
You will go for a test drive on Sunday.
They will come to the village for a summer vacation in the month of June.
It will rain tomorrow.
He will send his files to the office tomorrow.
She will go to a dance competition next month.
The girls will take part in a badminton match on coming Sunday.
John and Karan will buy a new car tomorrow.

Structure of future indefinite tense with all forms of sentences

1. Affirmative sentence: In the affirmative sentence of future indefinite tense, 'shall' and 'will' are used, followed by the V1 (first form of the verb). The structure of the sentence is:

Subject + shall/will + V1 + other words

Examples:

I shall bake the cake.
We shall bake the cake.
You will bake the cake.
He/she will bake the cake.
They will bake the cake.
John will bake the cake.
Girls will bake the cake.
We will definitely win the match.
I will surely deliver this parcel to the office tomorrow.

2. Negative sentence: In the negative sentence of future indefinite tense, 'not' is used after 'shall' or 'will' followed by the V1 first form of the verb. The structure of the sentence is:

Subject + shall/will + not + V1 + other words

Examples:

I shall not bake the cake.
We shall not bake the cake.
You will not bake the cake.
He/she will not bake the cake.
They will not bake the cake.
John will not bake the cake.
Girls will not bake the cake.
We will not definitely win the match.
I will not sure deliver this parcel to the office tomorrow.

3. Interrogative sentence: In the interrogative sentence of future indefinite tense, 'shall/will' is used before the subject. The structure of the sentence is:

Shall/will + subject + V1 + other words

Examples:

Shall I bake the cake?
Shall we bake the cake?
Will you bake the cake?
Will he/she bake the cake?
Will they bake the cake?
Will john bake the cake?
Will girls bake the cake?
Shall we definitely win the match?
Shall I sure deliver this parcel to the office tomorrow?

4. Negative interrogative sentence: In the negative interrogative sentence of future indefinite tense, 'shall/will' is used before the subject, and 'not' is used after the subject. The structure of the sentence is:

Shall/will + subject + not + V1 + other words

Examples:

Shall I not bake the cake?
Shall we not bake the cake?
Will you not bake the cake?
Will he/she not bake the cake?
Will they not bake the cake?
Will john not bake the cake?
Will girls not bake the cake?
Shall we not definitely win the match?
Shall I not sure deliver this parcel to the office tomorrow?

Uses of future indefinite tense

It is used to denote the future action that is not taken place yet.
Examples: They will meet me tomorrow. We shall not go to school by bus.
It is used to express the speaker's opinion, or future assumption means what we think about the future events. To express these kinds of sentences, the words like think, expect, belief, sure, probably, perhaps,, are used.
Examples: I think they will come back. I believe India will win the match. I am sure he will pass the examination. Probably, it will rain tomorrow. Perhaps he will find them there.
It is used to describe the action that is decided or planned at the time of speaking or before.
Examples: It is raining, so I will take an umbrella. We will meet at the office tomorrow.

Other ways for expressing future indefinite tense

Going to: With 'going to', the base form of the verb is used. The structure of the sentence is:
Subject + be (is/am/are) + going to + V1 (I form of verb)
It expresses the intention of the speaker and about decided action that will happen in the future.
Examples: He is going to buy a new bicycle. I am going to do it tomorrow.
It is used to express the action that is on the point of occurring.
Examples: look! I am going to jump in the water. Let's get on the bus; it is going to leave.
We can also use it with the action which seems likely or certain. If in the present there is something that tells about the future.
Examples: The sky is full of black clouds, it is going to rain. The boat is full of water; it is going to sink.

Note: shall/will tells about a decision made now and "going to" tells about a decision that is made earlier. For example, I will buy a house next week (decision made now). I am going to buy a house next week (decision made earlier).

Be about to: It is used to express an action of immediate future. The structure of the sentence is:
Subject + be (is/am/are) + about to + V1 (I form of verb)
Examples: The train is about to depart for Delhi. Don't go out; it is about to rain.
Be to: It is used to show a certain action in the future. The structure of the sentence is:
Subject + be (is/am/are) + to + V1
Examples: He is to complete his work soon. I am to complete my thesis next week.
Simple present tense: It is used to describe certain plans, official timetables, or programs and for a future time. It is used to show the future time words like soon, shortly, tonight, tomorrow, next week, in a few minutes, till, as soon as, before, after, etc.
Examples: The meeting is next Monday. The school opens on 10^th July. Let's wait till Sohan completes his homework. Please finish this work as soon as possible.

Note: Above all, sentences are in the simple present tense, but they express future happenings.

Present continuous tense: It is used to express the plans for the future. The words like tomorrow, tonight, this month,, are used to express the action. Here 'going to' form is also used to describe the action.
Examples: He is going to buy a new car. I am going to Delhi tomorrow. We are going out tonight. John is arriving this morning.

Some important points about future indefinite tense that should be paid attention

In the future indefinite tense, 'shall/will' is used with the base form (V1) of the verb.
'Shall' is used with 'I' and 'we' while 'will' is used with all other subjects. 'Will' is also used with 'I' and 'we' if there is determination or promise. In the same way, 'shall' is also used with other subjects if there is a compulsion, duty, promise command, etc.
Examples: I will wait for you. We will fight to the end. You shall find it back tomorrow. You shall report for duty tomorrow.
To show the future time often, the words like tomorrow, this week, this month, next month, next year, shortly, soon, etc., are used.