Correct Usage of Future Tense in English: ‘Starts’ vs. ‘Will Start’

When it comes to sentences involving the future in English, it’s essential to choose the correct tense for clarity and accuracy. This article explores the differences between using ‘starts’ and ‘will start’ in the context of a specific example: 'In an hour and a half my English class starts' vs. 'In an hour and a half my English class will start.' Understanding these nuances will help you communicate effectively in both written and spoken English.

Introduction

Two sentences in question are:
1. Everybody knows that Bhutan is the most peaceful of all the countries of the world.
2. Everybody knows that Bhutan is the most peaceful of all countries of the world.

The [original text] raises questions about choosing between these two sentences, especially in a context like a scheduled event.

Understanding the Context: My English Class Starts in an Hour and a Half

My English class starts in an hour and a half.
Another version of the statement is: In an hour and a half my English class starts.
Both of these sentences are grammatically sound, but when it comes to expressing future events, there are standard choices that are more commonly used in spoken and written English.

Selecting the Correct Future Tense: 'Starts' vs. 'Will Start'

The first sentence In an hour and a half my English class starts, uses the simple present tense. The simple present can sometimes be used to talk about something that is scheduled or planned. However, using the simple present in this context might not always be the best choice, especially for events that are scheduled for the immediate future.

The second sentence In an hour and a half my English class will start uses the future tense. This is a more common choice for expressing a scheduled future event. Another variation is: In an hour and a half my English class is going to start. Both will start and is going to start are correct and commonly used in English. However, will start is more frequently used for scheduled/planned events.

Preferred and Clearer Versions

It is recommended to use phrases that add clarity and make the sentence more explicit. Therefore, the preferred versions are:

My English class starts/ will start in one and a half hours' time. My English class will start in an hour and a half.

These versions are clear, concise, and commonly used in both formal and informal English.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In an hour and a half my English class will start. This is the most common and clear choice for indicating a scheduled future event.

When talking about future events, both will start and is going to start are acceptable. However, for scheduled events, using will start is more common and can be recommended as it makes the event more clear and understood.

Both will start and is going to start are grammatically correct, but if you want to be certain and clear, using will start is the best choice.