Future with ‘Will’ vs. Present Simple – English Grammar Exercises for A1

1 (B) starts

• Why it is correct (The Key): A TV schedule is a fixed timetable. We must use the Present Simple even if it is in the future (“tonight”). The singular subject “The new movie” requires the verb “starts”.
• Error Analysis: (A) will start (Strong Distractor – students see “tonight” and think it needs the future tense, but timetables take the present simple); (C) is start (Structural Error); (D) start (Common Mistake – missing the “s” for a singular subject).

2 (D) will watch

• Why it is correct (The Key): This is a spontaneous decision made right at the moment of speaking (“That looks great -> I will watch it”).
• Error Analysis: (A) watch (Common Mistake – present simple cannot be used for a sudden decision); (B) am watching (Strong Distractor – used for pre-arranged plans, not a sudden reaction); (C) will to watch (Structural Error – “will” is followed by a base verb without “to”).

3 (A) begins

• Why it is correct (The Key): “Usually” and the context of a TV schedule indicate a regular, fixed event. Present Simple is required.
• Error Analysis: (B) begin (Common Mistake – missing “s” for the singular subject “The evening news”); (C) will begin (Meaning Trap – implies a one-time future prediction rather than a fixed schedule); (D) is begin (Structural Error).

4 (B) will turn

• Why it is correct (The Key): A spontaneous reaction to the news starting right now.
• Error Analysis: (A) turn (Common Mistake); (C) am turn (Structural Error); (D) am turning (Strong Distractor – wrong because it’s an immediate decision, not a planned action).

5 (A) plays

• Why it is correct (The Key): “Every Sunday morning” denotes a repeating broadcast schedule.
• Error Analysis: (B) will play (Meaning Trap – wrong tense for a repeating schedule); (C) play (Common Mistake – wrong conjugation); (D) playing (Structural Error).

6 (B) finishes

• Why it is correct (The Key): Even though it happens “in ten minutes”, it is part of a fixed TV schedule. We use the Present Simple.
• Error Analysis: (A) finish (Common Mistake); (C) will finishing (Structural Error); (D) is finish (Structural Error).

7 (A) will change

• Why it is correct (The Key): A spontaneous decision to change the channel because the current show is ending.
• Error Analysis: (B) change (Common Mistake); (C) am change (Structural Error); (D) will changing (Structural Error – “will” must be followed by a bare infinitive).

8 (C) kicks off

• Why it is correct (The Key): “According to the schedule” means it is a timetable event. Present Simple is used.
• Error Analysis: (A) kick off (Common Mistake – missing “s”); (B) will kick off (Strong Distractor – timetable events do not use “will”); (D) kicking off (Structural Error).

9 (D) will get

• Why it is correct (The Key): A sudden, spontaneous offer to get snacks upon realizing the football match is on.
• Error Analysis: (A) get (Common Mistake); (B) getting (Structural Error); (C) will to get (Structural Error).

10 (B) airs

• Why it is correct (The Key): “Every Friday” refers to a fixed broadcast routine.
• Error Analysis: (A) will air (Meaning Trap); (C) air (Common Mistake); (D) is air (Structural Error).

11 (C) will go

• Why it is correct (The Key): Reacting to a long commercial break by making a sudden decision to go to the bathroom.
• Error Analysis: (A) go (Common Mistake); (B) am go (Structural Error); (D) will goes (Structural Error – never add “s” after “will”).

12 (D) does

• Why it is correct (The Key): Asking about a scheduled timetable requires the Present Simple auxiliary verb “does” for the singular subject “the late-night talk show”.
• Error Analysis: (A) will (Strong Distractor – students naturally want to ask about the future using “will”); (B) do (Common Mistake – wrong auxiliary for a singular subject); (C) is (Structural Error).

13 (A) will stay

• Why it is correct (The Key): A spontaneous decision to stay on the sofa because the show is starting.
• Error Analysis: (B) stay (Common Mistake); (C) will to stay (Structural Error); (D) are stay (Structural Error).

14 (C) lasts

• Why it is correct (The Key): “Normally” indicates a factual routine about the TV program’s duration.
• Error Analysis: (A) last (Common Mistake – missing “s”); (B) will last (Meaning Trap); (D) is last (Structural Error).

15 (A) doesn’t finish

• Why it is correct (The Key): The negative form of the Present Simple for a singular subject (the movie) based on its fixed schedule.
• Error Analysis: (B) won’t finishes (Structural Error); (C) don’t finish (Common Mistake – wrong auxiliary for singular subject); (D) isn’t finish (Structural Error).

16 (B) will go

• Why it is correct (The Key): A spontaneous decision made right now (“It’s too late -> I will go to bed”).
• Error Analysis: (A) go (Common Mistake); (C) am going (Strong Distractor – usually for pre-arranged plans, but here it’s a sudden thought); (D) will going (Structural Error).

17 (B) starts

• Why it is correct (The Key): The morning news has a fixed daily timetable (6 AM).
• Error Analysis: (A) start (Common Mistake); (C) will start (Strong Distractor – timetables take the present simple, not future); (D) is starts (Structural Error).

18 (A) will set

• Why it is correct (The Key): Realizing there is no alarm clock, the speaker makes an immediate decision to use their phone.
• Error Analysis: (B) am set (Structural Error); (C) set (Common Mistake); (D) will setting (Structural Error).

19 (B) doesn’t show

• Why it is correct (The Key): Describes a general fact/routine of the TV channel. Present Simple negative.
• Error Analysis: (A) won’t show (Meaning Trap); (C) don’t show (Common Mistake); (D) not shows (Structural Error).

20 (D) will watch

• Why it is correct (The Key): A strong, spontaneous personal decision to watch this specific movie.
• Error Analysis: (A) watch (Common Mistake); (B) am watch (Structural Error); (C) will watching (Structural Error).

1 Present Simple – Timetables and Schedules

• Usage: Use the Present Simple to talk about events that are part of a fixed timetable or schedule, such as TV programs, movies, flights, or train departures. We use the Present Simple even if the event happens in the future.
• Formula: Subject (I/You/We/They) + Verb (base) OR Subject (He/She/It) + Verb(-s/-es).
• Example: The movie starts at 8 PM tonight. (Because it is a fixed TV schedule).

2 Future Simple with ‘Will’ – Spontaneous Decisions

• Usage: Use ‘Will’ to express a personal decision made at the exact moment of speaking. In this context, it is your personal reaction to seeing the schedule (deciding to stay, change the channel, or get snacks).
• Formula: Subject + will + Verb (base form).
• Example: The movie starts at 8 PM. I will watch it! (I just made the decision to watch it).

3 Common Traps to Avoid

• Do not use “will” just because a TV show is on later tonight. If you are talking about its official schedule, always use the Present Simple. (Incorrect: The news will begin at 7 PM. -> Correct: The news begins at 7 PM.)
• Do not use the Present Simple for your personal, sudden decisions. (Incorrect: Oh, the show is starting! I sit here. -> Correct: I will sit here.)
• Never use “to”, “-ing”, or “-s” after “will”. (Incorrect: I will changing the channel. -> Correct: I will change the channel.)