Near future tense: Formula, Signs, Usage, Exercises with answers

near future (Near future tense) is one of the basic English tenses you need to master. Together ETEST English for Study Abroad Learn from A to Z the formula for the near future tense, how to use it, signs to recognize the near future tense as well as exercises on this tense right in the following article!

1. What is the near future tense?

near future tenseNear future tense) is used to express a plan or an intention that has been calculated in advance in the near future. These plans and intentions all have specific, clear purposes. This is the tense often used by native speakers in everyday, intimate or relaxed communication situations (informal).

For example:

• I am going to give her a call tonight
• The teachers are going to divide the students into groups.
• We are going to perform in front of 10,000 people

2. Future tense formula

Below is a table of formulas for the near future that you need to know well:

2.1 Affirmative sentence formula for near future tense

2.2 Negative sentence formula for near future tense

2.3 Question sentence formula for near future tense

In the interrogative form, the simple future tense includes two question forms:

2.3.1 Yes/No Question Form

2.3.2 Wh-Question 

NOTE:

When conjugating the verb “go” in the near future tense, we use the formula: S + is/ am/ are + going

For example:

Wrong sentence: I am going to go the supermarket tonight.

-> Correct sentence: I am going to the supermarket tonight (I will go to the supermarket tonight.)

3. How to use the near future tense

Note: Much of the information available today is incorrect about how to use the near future tense, specifically as follows:

• The near future tense is used to talk about a plan that existed in the past but has not been carried out yet. At that time to be in the structure will be divided in the past tense.
• The near future tense is used to express a plan or intention that has been calculated in advance for the near future. It is not used to express an intention that existed in the past.

Additional grammar knowledge: 12 tenses in English

4. Signs to recognize the near future

Here are some signs of near future You need to know:

• In + time: in … more (in 30 minutes: in 30 minutes)

For example: In 2 hours, I am going to finish all the work.

• Tomorrow, Next day: the next day

For example: We are going to sing at the trade fair the next day.

• Next week/ next month/ next year: Next week/ next month/ next year

For example: Next month, the council is going to build a new hospital.

5. How to distinguish between near future tense and simple future tense

The near future tense and the simple future tense confuse many people and make them apply them incorrectly when doing exercises. Let's analyze the similarities and differences between these two tenses through the following table:

5.1 Similar functions 

Both tenses are used to express actions or events that will happen in the future.

5.2 Different functions

See more knowledge about tenses Simple future tense Includes formulas, symbols and detailed exercises

6. Exercises on applying the near future tense with detailed answers

Let's complete the English Language Study Abroad ETEST near future tense exercises (with answers) to understand the knowledge better!

6.1. Future tense structure exercises

Lesson 1: Conjugate the verbs in brackets in the near future tense.

1 The dog is dirty. We ………………………………………….. (wash) him.

2 I ………………………………………….. (visit) my grandparents on Saturday.

3 We ………………………………………….. (eat) at a restaurant tonight. It's my mum's birthday.

4 Paul ………………………………………….. (play) basketball later.

5 When ………………………………………….. you ………………………………………….. (study) for the test?

6 My mum ………………………………………….. (not work) this week. She's on holiday.

7 What ………………………………………….. you …………………………………………..(do) this afternoon?

Sentence 2: Complete the sentence in the near future tense.

1 I / wear / these shoes / to the party

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2 He / make / pizza / tomorrow

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3 My brothers / not watch / TV / tonight

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4 You / study / for your test / this evening

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Lesson 3: Choose the correct answer for the future tense

1. Rebecca is __________ having a baby next month.

1. go to
2. goes to
3. going
4. going to

2.______ are you going to cook supper?

1. Will
2. Are
3. Because
4. What

3. What are you going to __________ this evening?

1. wore
2. wear
3. wearing
4. wears

4. Be careful or you ___________ fall.

1. will
2. are
3. are going to
4. are going to

5. I have decided. I ____________ stop smoking.

1. will
2. won't
3. am going to
4. I go to

6. Look at those clouds. It ______________.

1. rain
2. it rains
3. is going to rain
4. will rain

7. Look out! You ____________ break that glass!

1. must
2. will
3. will going to
4. are going to

8. I am going to _____________ Spanish next summer.

1. learning
2. learn
3. will learn
4. learn

9. Look at that car! _______________________.

1. It will crash
2. It is going to crash
3. is will crash
4. is going to crash

10.___________________ because it is too sweet.

1. I don't drink
2. I won't drink
3. I am not going to drink
4. I will drinking

11. Which word goes in the space?

Simon and Emma ____ going to get married.

• don't

•  isn't

• aren't

12. Complete the question.

Where ____ going to study?

A. is you

B. you are

C. are you

13. Which sentence is NOT correct?

A. We're going to see a movie.

B. Paul's not going to get a job.

C. They're not going to visit the castle.

14. We're going to see a movie.

A. Are you going to meet Ruth?

B. Yes, we are.

C. Yes, she is.

D. Yes I'm.

15. Which question is correct?

A. What time we going to arrive?

B. Where are you going to stay?

C. Which television are you going to buy?

16. study

She …………… economics at University.

17. not / buy

I ……………..that phone – it's too expensive.

18. due to

What are you……………………while your husband is away?

19. be

The weather forecast says that it ……………… a nice day tomorrow.

20. not / wait

We …………………. for James. He's always late.

21. What … he going to do tomorrow?

A. are

B. does

C. is

22. (A)… you going to see the movie? (B) Yes, I ….

A. Do / am

B. Are / am

C. Are / are

23. My friend … has a birthday party next week.

A. are going to

B. is going to

C. going to

24. I can see a lot of gray clouds in the sky. I think it … rains soon.

A. is going to

B. going to

C. goes to

25. (A) When … they … arrive? (B) I'm not sure.

A. do / go to

B. are / going to

C. will / going to

26. (A) …they going to be here soon? (B) No, they ….

A, Are / aren't

B. Are / won't

C. Do / not

27. What time are you going to … for the airport?

A. arriving

B. arrived

C. arrive

28. … you … go home after our English class?

A. Are / are

B. Are / going to

C. Do / will

29. Is your cousin … move to another apartment?

A. going

B. will

C. going to

30. I … going to … my homework after I finish dinner.

A. am / do

B. is / do

C.am / doing

Lesson 4: Find and correct mistakes in the near future tense

1. Kevin isn't walking around the park tonight.
2. We will have a party on Saturday night.
3. Are you going to do homework tonight?
4. It is going to rain tomorrow morning.

6.2 Answers to exercises on the near future tense

Lesson 1:

1. are going to wash 
2. am going to visit
3. are going to eat 
4. is going to play
5. are … going to study
6. isn't going to work
7. are … going to do
8. is going to study
9. I'm not going to buy
10. going to do 
11. going to be 
12. not going to wait

Lesson 2: 

1. I am going to wear these shoes to the party.

2. He is going to make pizza tomorrow.

3. My brothers aren't going to watch TV tonight.

4. You are going to study for your test this evening

Lesson 3:

1. D 
2. B

3. B 
4. D 
5. C 
6. C
7. D 
8. B 
9. D 
10. C
11. C 
12. C
13. C 
14. A 
15. C 
16. C 
17. B 
18. B
19. A 
20. B 
21. A 
22. C 
23. B 
24. A 
25. A

Lesson 4:

1. isn't walking-> isn't going to walk (tonight is a sign of the near future tense, the question is using the present continuous tense)
2. will have-> are going to have (“Will” is often used for the simple future tense, which is not suitable for the context of plans in the near future.)
3. doing -> do (wrong tense, wrong grammar structure S+be+going to + Bare-inf)
4. raining -> rain (similar to sentence 3, sentence 4 also has a basic grammar error)

You can refer to more Near future tense exercises

See also: Summary of main points IELTS grammar need to master in IELTS test

Hopefully the above sharing will help you master the use of the near future tense. If you are looking for an English center to study, please contact ETEST English for Study Abroad - quality and reputable English center, specializing in providing IELTS course suitable for each person's level. 

ETEST has a team of experienced lecturers. IELTS learning roadmap systematic, guaranteed to improve your English level in the shortest time when studying at our center.

See more related articles:

• Advanced English Grammar Book

• IELTS Exercises

• IELTS Grammar