THE FUTURE

the future

Will, going to, present continuous, present simple, future continuous, future perfect

start

the future: will

form

The future simple with will is formed using will + the infinitive.

AFFIRMATIVE

Subject + will + infinitiveThey will go to yoga.

QUESTION

Will + subject + verb? Will they go to yoga?

NEGATIVE

Subject + will + not + infinitive They will not go to yoga.

the future: will

Predictions

We use the future simple to make predictions. I think you should try snowboarding. You'll love it.

spontaneous decisions

We use will when we make a decision at the time we are speaking. ‘Oh, I forgot! I’ve got dance class in ten minutes.’ ‘I’ll walk you to the gym.’

offering to do something

We use will when we are offering to do something. That bag looks heavy. I'll help you carry it.

the future: GOING TO

form

We form be going to by using the correct form of be and the infinitive of the main verb.

AFFIRMATIVE

Subject + be + going to + infinitiveI am going to do sports.

QUESTION

Be + subject + going to + verb? Are you going to do sports?

NEGATIVE

Subject + be + not + going to + infinitive I'm not going to do sports.

the future: GOING TO

FUTURE PLANS AND INTENTIONS

We use be going to to talk about future plans and intentions. I’m going to get new gym clothes.

MAKING PREDICTIONS

We use be going to to make predictions when there is strong present or past evidence that something is going to happen. They’re not going to win the league this year – they don’t have enough points.

the future: present simple and continuous

present simple

present continuous

We use the present simple to talk about things which are scheduled for the future, for example, bus, train and flight times. Day 1: Flight from London to Barcelona. We arrive in Barcelona at 12.00, lunch on board the ship and a free afternoon to discover Barcelona. The ship leaves Barcelona at 20.00.

We use the present continuous to talk about future events which are already planned. I’m meeting Jamie on Saturday. Sometimes there is very little difference in meaning between the present continuous for the future and be going to.

+ info

the future: future continuous

form

We form the future continuous with will be and the gerund form of the main verb.

AFFIRMATIVE

Subject + will be + gerundWe will be playing tennis.

QUESTION

Will + subject + be + gerund? Will we be playing tennis?

NEGATIVE

Subject + will + not + be + gerund We will not be playing tennis.

the future: future continuous

actions in progress in the future

We use the future continuous to talk about actions that will be in progress in the future. This time next week I’ll be swimming in the Atlantic.

future events

We use the future continuous to talk about a future event which has already been decided. I will be seeing Marta on Saturday. (I have already arranged to meet her.)

the future: future perfect

form

We form the future perfect with will have and the past participle form of the main verb.

AFFIRMATIVE

Subject + will have + participleThey will have played tennis.

QUESTION

Will + subject + have + participle? Will they have played tennis?

NEGATIVE

Subject + will + not + have + participle We will not have played tennis.

the future: future perfect

USE

We use the future perfect to talk about things that will be finished before a certain time in the future. Let’s do our homework now. Then we’ll have finished before the tennis match starts. In September, I will have studied English for three years.

BY

We often use by with the future continuous and future perfect tenses. By or by the time used in this way mean ‘not later than’ or ‘before’. By the time you’re twenty-one, you’ll be playing football in the Premier League. Your running will have improved by the next race.