Future Tenses

FUTURETENSES

Batx. Neus Barrera

Contents

Present Simple

Present Continuous

Future Simple

Be going to

Future Continuous

Future Perfect

Future in the past

Present Simplefor future meaning

Present Simple for future meaning

We can use the present simple for future events that are in a timetable, schedule or calendar.

Present Simple for future meaning

Examples

The Apple store closes at half past eight.

The flight leaves at three o'clock.

Does the train leave at four? Yes, it does.

The bank opens at 9 am.

The meeting is in the boardroom. It starts in 10 minutes.

The English lesson starts at 10:30 am.

Present Continuousfor future meaning

Present Continuous for futue meaning

We can use the present continuous for fixed plans, especially when the time and place have been decided.

Present Continuous for future meaning

Examples

They are going on holiday next month.

We are taking the train to London tomorrow.

I'm playing golf with some friends on Saturday.

We aren't going to school next week.

Are you playing batminton tomorrow? Yes, I am.

She is visiting her friend tomorrow.

Future Simple

Future Simple

We use the Future Simple for:

• Predictions based on opinions, hopes and expectations.
• Decisions made at the moment of speaking.

Future Simple

FORM

Future Simple

TIME EXPRESSIONS

• Next weekend
• Tomorrow
• In the summer
• In the future
• In 2 year's time
• ...

Future Simple

Language

• I think...
• I hope...
• I believe....

Future simple

Examples

I hope they will have a good time at the party. (prediction based on hope)

I don't want to be late. So I'll take the bus. (spontaneous decision)

I think they will be happy to see you. (prediction based on opinion)

The phone rings. I'll answer it! (spontaneous decision)

I forgot to call mum. I'll do it after dinner. (spontaneous decision)

I hope we will win tomorrow!)(prediction based on expectation

Be Going To

Be Going To

We use the form Be Going to for:

• intentions and plans we have made.
• predictions based on evidence (something that is clear or that we can see).

Be Going to

FORM

Be Going to

Examples

Don't drive so fast. We are going to have an accident!. (prediction based on evidence)

She is going to complain to the school. (intention)

They haven't been practising. They aren't going to win this match. (prediction based on evidence)

We are going to have a drink after work. Do you want to come? (plan)

Watch Out

Be Going to

vs

WILL:

• To give an opinion about an event in the future.
• Eg: The world will be a better place in the future. (opinion)

• For spontaneous decisions made at the moment of speaking, without any previous intention.
• Eg: I think I'll go shopping this weekend. (decision just made)

BE GOING TO:

• For intentions and plans, and to make predictions made on evidence.
• Eg: Jeff is studying medicine. He's going to be a doctor. (intention)
• Eg: There is going to be a storm, I can hear thunder. (evidence)

Watch Out

Be Going to

vs

PRESENT CONTINUOUS:

• Stresses the idea of an arrangement , especially when the time and place have been decided.
• Eg: We are travelling around India next summer (Your plan. You've probably bought the tickets)

BE GOING TO:

• Emphasises the idea of an intention
• Eg: I'm going to buy some clothes soon. (Your intention, but the time hasn't been decided yet)

Future Continuous

Future Continuous

We use the Future Continuous for actions that will be in progress at or around a particular moment in the future.

Future Continuous

FORM

Future Continuous

TIME EXPRESSIONS

• This time tomorrow
• This time next week
• At 5 o'clock on Saturday
• By Christmas
• At this moment next year
• ...

Future Continuous

Examples

This time next week I'll be sun-bathing in Bali

Tomorrow morning I'll be giving a presentation.

She'll be visiting her cousins next month.

Tonight I'll be watching the premiere of last season.

Future Perfect

Future Perfect

We use the Future Perfect :

• To say that something will or won't have been done or completed by a certain time in the future.

Future Perfect

FORM

Future Perfect

TIME EXPRESSIONS

• By this time week
• By tomorrow
• On Friday
• ...

Future Perfect

Examples

By the time you read this, I will have left.

We will have finished our exams on Friday.

I won't have completed the course by the time I come back.

They will have studied the lesson by Saturday.

Future in the Past

Future in the Past

When talking about the past, we can refer to an event in the future using: - was/were + going to + infinitive - would + infinitive - Past Continuous

Future in the Past

Examples

I couldn't believe I was meeting the President in 2 days' time!

We were going to call him but we were very busy.

I knew he wouldn't come to Barcelona with us.

That's all!