Future Tenses

The Future Tenses

The future can be expressed in English using different forms depending on the situation, intention, or certainty. The three most common ways are will, be going to, and the present continuous.

1. When Do We Use the Future Tenses?

  • Will: Used for spontaneous decisions, promises, offers, or predictions based on opinion.
    • I will call you tomorrow.
  • Be Going To: Used for planned actions or predictions based on evidence.
    • Look at those clouds; it’s going to rain.
  • Present Continuous: Used for fixed arrangements in the near future.
    • I’m meeting my friend at 5 PM.

2. Forming the Future Tenses

Will

  • Affirmative: Subject + will + base form of the verb
    • I will travel next week.
  • Negative: Subject + will not (won’t) + base form of the verb
    • She won’t attend the meeting.
  • Questions: Will + subject + base form of the verb?
    • Will they join us for dinner?
       

Be Going To

  • Affirmative: Subject + be (am/is/are) + going to + base form of the verb
    • We are going to visit Paris this summer.
  • Negative: Subject + be (am/is/are) + not + going to + base form of the verb
    • He isn’t going to study tonight.
  • Questions: Be (am/is/are) + subject + going to + base form of the verb?
    • Are you going to watch the game?
       

Present Continuous

  • Affirmative: Subject + be (am/is/are) + verb-ing
    • I am meeting Sarah tomorrow.
  • Negative: Subject + be (am/is/are) + not + verb-ing
    • They are not coming to the party.
  • Questions: Be (am/is/are) + subject + verb-ing?
    • Is he playing football this weekend?

3. Common Uses

Will:

  • Spontaneous Decisions:
    • I’ll answer the phone.
  • Promises:
    • I will always love you.
  • Offers:
    • We’ll carry your bags for you.
  • Predictions (based on opinion):
    • It will be a great day tomorrow.

Be Going To:

  • Plans/Intentions:
    • I’m going to start exercising next week.
  • Predictions (based on evidence):
    • Look at the sky; it’s going to rain.

Present Continuous:

  • Fixed Arrangements:
    • I’m meeting my friend at 4 PM.
  • Plans Already Made:
    • We’re visiting our grandparents this weekend.

4. Common Time Expressions

Use these words with the Future Tenses:

  • Tomorrow:
    • I will travel to Paris tomorrow.
  • The day after tomorrow:
    • We are going to have a meeting the day after tomorrow.
  • Next week/month/year:
    • I am visiting my grandparents next week.
  • This week/month/year:
    • I’ll have a doctor’s appointment this week.
  • On Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/etc.:
    • The concert is going to start on Tuesday.
  • At 5 o’clock/in the morning/in the afternoon/in the evening:
    • The train is leaving at 5 o’clock.

5. Examples

Will:

  • Affirmative:
    • I will help you with your homework.
    • She will win the competition.
  • Negative:
    • He won’t eat vegetables.
    • We will not go out tonight.
  • Questions:
    • Will you come to the party?
    • Will they finish the project on time?

Be Going To:

  • Affirmative:
    • I’m going to start a new course next month.
    • They are going to paint the house.
  • Negative:
    • He isn’t going to take the exam.
    • We are not going to travel this weekend.
  • Questions:
    • Are you going to cook dinner?
    • Is she going to call him later?

Present Continuous:

  • Affirmative:
    • I’m having lunch with my boss tomorrow.
    • They are flying to New York next week.
  • Negative:
    • She isn’t meeting her friends later.
    • We’re not attending the concert tonight.
  • Questions:
    • Are you visiting your parents this weekend?
    • Is he playing tennis tomorrow morning?
 
Exercise 1

Future Tenses

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