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Future Forms

Future tenses in English are expressed using will + infinitive, present continuous, and be going to + infinitive depending on the speaker's viewpoint. Will + infinitive expresses predictions, promises, offers, requests, threats, and spontaneous decisions. Present continuous expresses future plans and arrangements. Be going to + infinitive expresses future intentions and predictions that are certain based on present evidence. Present simple is used for future events based on official schedules.

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284 views3 pages

Future Forms

Future tenses in English are expressed using will + infinitive, present continuous, and be going to + infinitive depending on the speaker's viewpoint. Will + infinitive expresses predictions, promises, offers, requests, threats, and spontaneous decisions. Present continuous expresses future plans and arrangements. Be going to + infinitive expresses future intentions and predictions that are certain based on present evidence. Present simple is used for future events based on official schedules.

Uploaded by

Raso Rasovic
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Future forms

There is not a single tense in English to express future. Future events are
expressed depending on the speakers viewpoint.
The following forms are used in English:
1. Will + infinitive is used to express:
a. prediction about something we know or believe about
I am sure you will enjoy your visit to our Head Office.
b. a promise, offer, request or threat
Ill get the report to you by tomorrow.
Ill give you a lift to the airport if you like.
Will you turn that stereo down?
Ill punish you if you dont listen.
c. decisions made at the moment of speaking
I think Ill lie down for a moment.
I like this shirt. Ill buy it.
2. Present Continuous is used when we talk about plans or future
arrangements.
Im meeting Mr. Wong next week.
We cant use will + infinitive in this case.
However, it is also possible to use future continuous in these situations.
During your internship, youll be learning about negotiation strategies.
3. Be going to + infinitive is used when we talk about future intentions.
Im going to study medicine at university.
Shes going to retire in two years time.
This use is similar to the use of Present Continuous to express future. The
difference is that Present Continuous expresses a future arrangement, while
be going to expresses future intention. In many situations these two forms
overlap, but not always. It depends on the speakers point of view which
tense will be used.

Be going to + infinitive is also used to talk about things that are certain to
happen. We know this because there is present evidence.
Look at the clouds. Its going to rain.
I feel awful. Im going to be sick.
4. Present Simple is used for future events based on an official calendar or
schedule. The event is unlikely to change between now and then.
The train leaves from Waterloo at 10.59.
Our next meeting is on Wednesday.
The class starts at 10.00.
Put the verbs in brackets into the appropriate future form
1.

A: The phone is ringing!


B: OK. I _________________ (answer) it.

2.

A: Why are you making sandwiches?


B: Because we ________________ (have) a picnic on the beach.

3.

A: Have you got toothache again?


B: Oooh! It's agony but I ___________ (see) the dentist this afternoon.

4. Tomorrow _________________ (be) warm and sunny.


5. My daughter ________________ (study) modern languages at Bristol
University.
6.

A: I've got a headache. Have you got any aspirin?


B: Yes. It's in the bathroom. I ______________ (get) it for you.

7.

A: Would you like to go out for a drink tonight?


B: Sorry, I _______________ (go) to the theatre with Peter.

8.

A: Can you meet me after work?


B: I'd love to but John ________________ (take) me out tonight.

9. I'm sure you __________________ (pass) your exam.


10. My plane ________________ (leave) in two hours and Im still at home!
11. I'm tired. I think I _________________________ (stop) reading for a while.
12. He hardly studies anymore. He ___________________ (fail) his exams.
13. She __________________ (meet) the headmaster at 6 o'clock tomorrow.

14.

A: What would you like, sir?


B: I __________________ (have) a steak and salt, please.

15.

A: What are you definitely doing tomorrow?


B: I __________________ (see) my friend Paul.

The difference between WILL, BE GOING TO and the present continuous for future events
WILL and BE GOING TO for future intentions
Will (future simple) is used to express future intentions that are decided at the time of speaking
(spontaneous offers, promises and decisions):
Come on, I'll help you with those bags. (seeing that someone is struggling with their shopping
bags)
Be going to is used to express future intentions that have already been decided before the time of
speaking:
I can't make it on Saturday. I'm going to help my parents around the house. (referring to a
decision that the speaker has made in the past)
WILL and BE GOING TO for predictions
Will (future simple) is used to make predictions that are based on personal judgement, opinion or
intuition:
I'm sure you'll have a lovely time in Italy. (opinion)
Be going to is used to make predictions that are based on present evidence. The predicted event
is either very near (and can be seen) or seems sure to happen:
My sister's going to have a baby. (we can see that she is pregnant)
BE GOING TO and present continuous for future plans
Be going to refers to future intentions that have been decided but have not been fully planned:
We're going to get married. (referring to a past decision)
The present continuous tense refers to fixed future events and emphasises that plans or
arrangements have already been made:
We are getting married next month. (the wedding has already been arranged)

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