The key difference between simple future and future progressive is that simple future is used for actions that will start and end in the future, whereas future progressive is used for actions that are ongoing for a period of time in the future.
Simple future and future progressive are two tenses we use to talk about the events that take place in the future.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Simple Future
3. What is Future Progressive
4. Simple Future vs Future Progressive in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Simple Future vs Future Progressive
What is Simple Future?
A simple future refers to an action that will happen in the future. It expresses the facts or certainty of an action. The simple future tense is formed with the auxiliary “will” and the “infinitive form of the verb,” and there is one common formation for both singular and plural subjects. For example,
He will go to school.
They will return home tomorrow.
The negative form of the simple future tense is formed using “not.” “Not” is added in between the subject and the infinitive of the verb to negate the sentence. For example,
She will not open the window.
The basic function of the simple future tense is to predict a future event. If the sentence, “It will rain tomorrow,” is considered, there is a possibility of raining or not raining tomorrow. The simple future tense is also used to express willingness. For instance,
I will help you to carry this bag.
Here, the readiness to carry the bag is expressed with the usage of the simple future tense.
In the interrogative form, with the first person singular “I,” the auxiliary “shall” is used. Nevertheless, in modern English, the auxiliary “will” is preferred over “shall.” Most of the time, “shall” is used with “I” and “we” in making suggestions and asking for advice.
Shall I borrow your book?
Shall we go to the party?
At the same time, simple future with “shall” is most commonly used in the spoken language, and in the formal written language, “will” is preferred.
What is Future Progressive?
The future progressive tense, also referred to as the future continuous tense, is used for actions that will occur in the future and continue for a period of time. Future progressive tense is formed with will+ be+ present participle of the verb (verb with ‘-ing’). For example, I will be meeting guests in the evening. In the example, the action ‘meet’ is not going to happen all at once. It has a period of time.
One main point that should be considered in using future progressive is that future progressive is only used with action verbs. Action verbs describe activities, while stative verbs describe states of existence. Therefore, stative verbs cannot be constructed in future progressive tense since it does not give meaning. When future progressive tense is formed into the negative, “not” is used. Hence, the structure of future progressive tense comes as will+ not+ be+ present participle of the verb. For example,
She will not be dancing at the party.
What is the Difference Between Simple Future and Future Progressive?
The key difference between simple future and future progressive is that simple future is used for actions that will happen in the future, whereas future progressive tense is used for actions that happen in the future and continue for a period of time. Although simple future tense uses the infinitive form of the verb, future progressive tense uses the present participle form. Moreover, all action verbs and stative verbs can be converted into the simple future tense, whereas stative verbs cannot be constructed in the future progressive tense since they do not describe an action and do not take a period of time to happen.
Below is a summary of the difference between simple future and future progressive in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Simple Future vs Future Progressive
The key difference between simple future and future progressive is that simple future is used for actions that will happen in the future, whereas future progressive tense is used for actions that happen in the future and continue for a period of time.
Reference:
1. “Simple Future Tense.” EF.
2. “Using the Future Continuous Tense.” Grammarly, 16 Dec. 2020.
Image Courtesy:
2. “EGG Future continuous” By Robbiemuffin – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia