Future Simple or Present Simple?

How to choose between the future simple and the present simple

Uses of the present simple

1. The present simple is used for what is generally or permanently true.

• People need food.
• It snows in winter here.
• Two and two make four.

2. It is also used for situations regarded as more or less permanent. For temporary situations, see the present continuous.

• Where do you live?
• She works in a bank.
• I don't like mushrooms.

3. It expresses habits and regular actions. Adverbs of frequency such as 'often', 'always' and 'sometimes' are common here, as are expressions like 'every Sunday' or 'twice a month'. For new, temporary or irritating habits, see the present continuous.

• Do you smoke?
• I play tennis every Tuesday.
• I don't travel very often.

4. It also describes very brief actions taking place at the moment of speaking, actions so short that they are complete almost as soon as the sentence has been uttered. Sports commentary relies heavily on this use.

• He takes the ball, he runs down the wing, and he scores!

5. It refers to the future when a timetable or fixed schedule is involved. The timetable is normally set by an organisation rather than by the speaker.

• School begins at nine tomorrow.
• What time does the film start?
• The plane doesn't arrive at seven. It arrives at seven thirty.

6. It also refers to the future after 'when', 'until', 'after', 'before' and 'as soon as'. Clauses of this kind are known as subordinate clauses of time.

• I will call you when I have time. (Not 'will have'.)
• I won't go out until it stops raining.
• I'm going to make dinner after I watch the news.

7. The present simple appears in both the zero conditional and the first conditional.

• If it rains, we won't come.
• If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.

Uses of the future simple

1. The future simple with 'will' predicts the future. It is the default way of referring to future time in English and is chosen whenever no other future form is called for. It covers both established future facts and less certain expectations.

• The sun will rise at 7am.
• I think the Conservatives will win the next election.

2. Promises, requests, refusals and offers. This is sometimes termed volitional 'will', since it concerns willingness or unwillingness to act in the future.

• I'll help you with your homework.
• Will you give me a hand?
• I won't go!

3. 'Will' likewise expresses a decision taken at the moment of speaking, typically an offer, a promise, or something the speaker has just resolved to do.

• A: I'm cold. B: I'll close the window.

4. The future simple with 'will' appears in the first conditional, and in other sentences carrying a conditional sense.

• If it doesn't rain, we'll go to the park.
• Let's arrive early. That will give us time to relax.

Shall

1. In British English, 'shall' survives mainly in the forms 'shall I?' and 'shall we?'. These are used to invite an opinion, particularly when making an offer or a suggestion.

• Shall I open the window? (= Do you want me to open the window?)
• Where shall we go tonight? (= What's your opinion?)

Be going to

1. 'Be going to' expresses future intentions and plans. The decision has normally been taken before the moment of speaking.

• A: We've run out of milk. B: I know, I'm going to buy some.

2. 'Be going to' also makes predictions. Either form is often possible, but 'be going to' is preferred when there is visible evidence in the present situation.

• Look at those boys playing football! They're going to break the window.
• The sky is getting darker and darker. It's going to rain.