Future Time

Definite Arrangement
We use the Present Continuous to talk about definite arrangements for the future something we have already decided on for the future.
Sorry, I cant help you. Im leaving in the morning.

 Beth: Do you want to go to the beach tomorrow? Jenny: Id love to, but not before 4 oclock. Beth: Why? What are you doing in the morning? Jenny: Oh, Im doing a million things. At 8 oclock Im going to the dentist. Then Im meeting my mother and helping her with the shopping. After that Im taking my dog to the vet and rushing back to meet Sarah at the airport.

Schedules and timetables

We use the Present Simple to talk about schedules or timetables in the future. The bus leaves at midnight and arrives in Edinburgh at five. The concert tonight starts at 8.30. What time does the plane land?

Plans and Intentions

We use going to + infinitive to talk about future plans or intentions something we have a plan for.
Im going to fix television tomorrow. Why are you going to buy a new bike?

Present Continuous / going to

When it is clear that we mean the future, the Present Continuous and going to + infinitive are often interchangeable. But generally we use the Present Continuous to show that something has been arranged for the future, while we use going to to show that we intend to do something in the future.

 We are travelling around Europe after we finish school. Weve already bought the tickets. (ARRANGEMENT) We are going to travel around Europe after we finish school. At least thats what we plan to do. (INTENTION)

Without a time context the choice of the Present Continuous or going to changes the meaning. I hear that Josh is travelling round the world. (PRESENT) I hear that Josh is going to travel round the world. (FUTURE)

Predictions from Evidence

We also use going to + infinitive for predictions, often about the near future. Usually there is some evidence in the present situation that tells us about the future. Henry hasnt studied at all. Hes going to fail the exam tomorrow. Look at those clouds. Its going to rain.

Near Future Intentions or Predictions

We can use to be about to + infinitive for intentions and predictions about the very near future. We often use the word just to show even greater immediacy. Im just about to leave. Can I phone you back? I think we should get inside quickly. Its about to rain.

Note the difference:

Jim is going to dive into the pool. (SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE) Jim is about to dive into the pool. (IMMEDIATELY)

Decisions Made at the Moment

When, at the moment of speaking, we decide to do something in the future, or express willingness to do so, we use the Future Simple (will + infinitive). Contractions are common with will: I will =Ill he will =hell we will = well they will = theyll

Examples
Ive forgotten to buy bread. Ill go out again to get some for you. Would you like tea or coffee? Ill have coffee, please. Promise/Offer: Ill phone you as soon as I get back. Ill help you with your work tonight.

Interrogative and Negative Forms

Will I/he/she/it/we/you/they come? will not = wont I/He/She/It/ We/You/They wont come.

Speculations and Guesses

We use will (Future Simple) to make speculations and guesses about things we cant control in the future. There will be big changes in this country over the next few years. I have a feeling that your brother will win first place. Do you think our team will win the cup?

Formal English: Definite Plan

We use will to talk about definite plans in formal situations.
The Managing Director of the company will visit this country next month. He will bring with him his deputy, Mr. Rosse. In everyday English we use the Present Continuous for definite plans.

Will or going to?

If at the time of speaking we decide about something in the future, we use will.

Do we have any cola? No, we dont, but Ill get some later. Ive decided. Ill have the salad plate.

Will or going to?

cont.

For many predictions we can use either will or going to. According to the weather report, it will be /is going to be cold next week.

Shall
Shall can be used instead of will with I and we, especially in more formal English. Shall is more frequent in British English. I shall be there at 10 oclock. shall not = shant We shant be able to come.

In British English shall / shant can also be used for:

Shall I bring some tea? (offer) Shall we meet at eight? (suggestion) Im lost. What shall I do? (asking for advice) I shant do anything till I hear from you. (promise)

The Future Continuous

We use will be + ing for an activity that will be in progress at a time in the future.
Next year, Ruth will be studying art in Paris. Ill be waiting for you at the entrance at 2 oclock.

The Future Continuous

We use will be + ing for questions about peoples future plans, especially when we want something or want someone to do something. Will you be going to the bank this afternoon? Will you be using the car this evening?

The Future Perfect

We use will have + past participle (The Future Perfect) for something that will be completed or will have happened before another action at a certain time in the future. By this time next week, I will have finished all my exams.

More examples
Next year I will have been here for 10 years. (Now I have been here for 9 years.) I cant hand in my project next week. I wont have finished it by then. By the time you get here, well have done all the work.

Note the difference: This time next week Ill be doing my exams. (Ill be in the middle) This time next week Ill have done my exams. (I wont have any more exams.)

The Future Perfect Continuous

We use will have been + ing (The Future Perfect Continuous) to emphasize the length of time that an action or an event will have been in progress up to a future point of time. In five minutes I will have been sitting here for two hours.

Choose the most suitable tense.

1) Do you want to go out tomorrow night? Ill phone / Im phoning you later to let you know when we can meet. 2) Joan will have /is going to have a baby. She has just told me the news. 3) Are you hot? Will / Shall I open the window?

Answers
1) Do you want to go out tomorrow night? Ill phone you later to let you know when we can meet. 2) Joan is going to have a baby. She has just told me the news. 3) Are you hot? Shall I open the window?

Choose the most suitable tense.

4) Please dont phone at 9 oclock. I am watching / I will be watching something interesting on television. 5) I wonder what we will be doing / will do this time next year. 6) I hope I am finishing / will have finished this book by this time next year.

Answers
4) Please dont phone at 9 oclock. I will be watching something interesting on television. 5) I wonder what we will be doing this time next year. 6) I hope I will have finished this book by this time next year.

Choose the most suitable tense.

7) I will go / am going to Canada in the summer. Ive already got my tickets. 8) Were late. The film is starting / will have started by the time we get there. 9) When will the doctor be free? You told me that it wouldnt take long, but soon I will have been waiting / will wait for an hour.

Answers
7) I am going to Canada in the summer. Ive already got my tickets. 8) Were late. The film will have started by the time we get there. 9) When will the doctor be free? You told me that it wouldnt take long, but soon I will have been waiting for an hour.

Choose the most suitable tense.

10) My cousin will come /is coming to visit London. I havent decided where to take her, but I think Ill take /Im taking her for the tour of the north. 11) The bus will have left / is about to leave. Hurry up! 12) He hasnt studied at all. He is failing / is going to fail this exam.

Answers
10)My cousin is coming to visit London. I havent decided where to take her, but I think Ill take her for the tour of the north. 11) The bus is about to leave. Hurry up! 12) He hasnt studied at all. He is going to fail this exam.

The Temporals (time words and expressions)

In a sentence about the future we do not use will after when or other temporals in the time clause. Instead, we use the present tense, usually the Present Simple. I will come out when you ring the bell. What will she do after she hears the news?

The temporals are:

when after before as soon as until / till by the time once the moment (that) immediately while While can be followed by the Present Continuous: Ill finish this letter while youre reading the paper.

Examples:
As soon as he receives the results, hell leave for London. You must stop writing the moment I tell you. She wont talk to you till you apologise. By the time we arrive, youll have been there for hours.

Complete the sentences using the verbs in brackets in their correct form.
1) Well leave for home as soon as it (stop) __ raining. 2) What will you do after you (leave) __ school? 3) We are leaving the moment Jo (arrive) __ . 4) Dont do anything before the police officer (tell) __ us what to do.

Answers
1) Well leave for home as soon as it stops raining. 2) What will you do after you leave school? 3) We are leaving the moment Jo arrives. 4) Dont do anything before the police officer tells us what to do.

Complete the sentences using the verbs in brackets in their correct form.
5) Can you look after the baby while I (go) __ to the shops? 6) By the time we (get) __ there, all the food will be gone. 7) Please phone me immediately you (get) __ home. 8) You must go straight home after the party (end) __.

Answers
5) Can you look after the baby while I go / am going to the shops? 6) By the time we get there, all the food will be gone. 7) Please phone me immediately you get home. 8) You must go straight home after the party ends.

The Present Perfect

can also be used after the temporals. This emphasizes that something will be finished before another action happens. Dont give Jane the present till Terry has left. When youve seen the video, Ill borrow it. Ill wait here until you have finished.