Future forms- B1

TENSE

“Your future is whatever you make it, so make it a good one.”

Doc Brown, Back to the future.

Take a look at the four main future tenses in English and how they’re used in a sentence:

be going to

future simple

present continuous

present simple

will vs going to

will

Find a station and practise the future forms in group

+ info

drawing the future

present simple vs. continuous

Future simple (will)

Uses and examples

• Instant or spontaneous decisions – I’m hungry. I think I’ll make a sandwich.
• Future predictions based on a belief – I’m sure you’ll pass the test.
• Promises – I won’t tell anyone your secret.
• Offers – I’ll carry your bags for you.
• Requests – Will you tell Henry I called?
• Threats – If you do that again, I’ll tell Mum.

• Future facts – I’ll be back later tonight.

Present continuous (be+-verb-ing)

Arrangements

We often use the present continuous to talk about future events that are already planned or decided. When we use the present continuous for arrangements, we must always include when (at 7, this evening, next month, etc.) in the sentence. I’m seeing the dentist at 6. We are getting married next week. I’m flying to New York tomorrow morning.

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Be going to

Predictions

We use be going to to talk about something that is very near to happen or that we see is going to happen (there is present evidence) Don’t drive like a crazy man. We’re going to have an accident! The doctor said I’m going to have a girl.

Decisions already taken

We use be going to for decisions that we have already taken at the moment of speaking (intentions or plans).‘Why are you undressing?’ ‘Because I’m going to go to the swimming pool.’

Arrangements

We can also use be going to for future arrangements. I’m going to play tennis with Elisabeth today.

Present simple

Schedule- timetable

We use the present simple for something scheduled: We have a lesson next Monday. The train arrives at 6.30 in the morning. The holidays start next week. It's my birthday tomorrow.