Expressing the Future

building blocksExpressing the Future

Introduction

While the English language has past and present tenses, it does not have a future tense. To say what will happen in the future, you can use the modal auxiliary will (plus the base form of the main verb), the verb phrase be going to (plus the base form of the main verb, the present simple or the present progressive, but be careful. There are times when one is preferred over the others.

The Present Simple Tense for Future Events

The present simple tense is used to talk about future events that have been scheduled. Examples would be meetings, timetables, airline schedules, etc. See the examples below.
Hurry up! I don't want to miss any of the game. It starts at 1:00.
The meeting is in the boardroom. It begins at 10:00.
He'll be here soon. His plane arrives at 6:45.

The Present Progressive Tense for Future Events

In English, we often use the present progressive (be + verb + ing) to talk about future events which have already been planned. Time words in the sentence, such as next week, next year, tomorrow, etc., make it clear that the action is not happening at this moment.
Be careful. Verbs that describe states rather than actions are not used in the progressive form. These include words like know, believe, hear, love seem own and need. Study the examples below.
I'm playing golf with some friends on Saturday. (correct)
I'm needing a ride to work tomorrow. (incorrect)
In the first example, the speaker is talking about an action that has been planned. The use of the words on Saturday tell us that the action is not happening now. The use of the verb need in the second example is incorrect. Need is used to show a state or condition rather than an action. Therefore, it is wrong to use it in the progressive form. The chart below shows more words that are not used in the progressive form.

Verbs Not Used in the Progressive

(a) Verbs describing feelings or attitude like, prefer, appear, seem, want, look, love, hate, appreciate, dislike, need
(b) Verbs showing ownership possess, belong, own, have
(c) Verbs associated with the senses smell, see, hear, taste
(d) Verbs concerning mental activity forget, remember, understand, know, believe, mean, recognize, think
Note: Some of these words can be used in the progressive form with changes in meaning.
I have been meaning to write her. (The speaker was intending to write to her.)
I'm sorry. Miss Jones is seeing a client at the moment. Would you mind waiting? (Miss Jones is with a client.)
You will be hearing from my attorney! (My attorney will be contacting you.)

Will or Be Going To?

When English speakers predict what they think will happen or become true in the future, they can use either will or be going to. Look at the example sentences below.
We'd better cancel the picnic. The weather person says we will have heavy rain on the weekend.
We'd better cancel the picnic. The weather person says we are going to have heavy rain on the weekend.
In both cases, the speakers are making predictions about the weather on the weekend. There is no difference in meaning between the first example and the second. However, there are a number of situations when it is better to use will than be going to, and vice versa.

Expressing Future Events with Will

We use will + the base form of the main verb in these situations.
Use “Will” Example Explanation
To talk about things that we think will happen
(In such cases we often use words such as “I think” or “probably”.)		 James will probably study history at university. I know James is interested in history. Therefore I guess or predict that he will study history in the future.
For official or formal announcements concerning future events The graduation dinner will take place on June 3rd of this year. Any type of ceremony, including a graduation ceremony, is a formal or important event. Therefore, the use of will is appropriate here.
For promises or offers related to the future
(In such cases, we are expressing willingness.)		 You forgot your wallet. Don't worry. I'll lend you some money.

The phone is ringing. Don't get up. I'll answer it.		 In each case, the speaker is expressing a willingness to help the listener.
For decisions concerning future events that are made while talking Person A: The car is very dirty.
Person B: You're right. I'll wash it after lunch.		 Before this conversation, Person B was not planning to wash the car after lunch. He decided to do so because of something Person A said. In other words, he made his decision to wash the car during the conversation.
When making serious promises Don't worry. I won't forget to pay you back the money.

I'll take care of your house while you're out of the country. Don't worry about a thing.

I'll never forgive him! 		In each case, the speaker is expressing a promise to do something in the future.

Shall

Shall was used in the past for the affirmative will. Today however, the forms I will or we will are preferred. Nevertheless, shall is still used in questions about the future that make offers and suggestions or ask for advice.
What shall we do if they don't come soon? (asking for advice.)
It's hot in here. Shall I open a window? (making an offer)
Shall we try to finish the project today? (making a suggestion)

Using Be Going To

We use be going to + the base form of the main verb in these situations.
Use “Be Going To” Example Explanation
For prediction —
We use be going to + the base form of the main verb to make a prediction about the future based on our sense of sight, smell, taste, hearing or touch. In other words, something about the present causes us to think an action will happen very soon or immediately.		 Something smells good. Dinner is going to be delicious. The speaker is making a prediction about a future meal based on what his sense of smell tells him in the present.
The sun is shining and there's not a single cloud in the sky. It's going to be a nice day. The speaker is making a prediction based on what (s)he sees.
For a plan —
We use be going to + the base form of the main verb to talk about future events which have already been planned.		 Last year we went to Hawaii for our vacation. This year we are going to take a cruise to Alaska. After work I'm going to play squash with a friend. The speaker is talking about a planned event.
For informal situations —
We use be going to + the base form of the main verb when we talk about informal situations involving future actions.		 Mom and Dad are going to be angry when they see the mess you've made. You'd better clean it up before they get home. This is an informal situation between two siblings.
When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises.

Expressing the Future 1

Choose the answer that best completes each sentence.

Click on the button beside the best answer.
  1. PERSON A: Your wife phoned while you were teaching your class.
    PERSON B: Thanks for telling me. I __________ her back in a few minutes.
    1.   must to call
    2.   will call
    3.   am calling
    4.   called
  2. PERSON A: Do you have any plans for the weekend?
    PERSON B: Yes, I __________ the sun deck.
    1.   must painting
    2.   paint
    3.   am painting
    4.   will paint
  3. Look. That driver is going the wrong way! He __________ an accident.
    1.   is going to cause
    2.   is causing
    3.   is going to be causing
    4.   will cause
  4. Look at all those dark clouds. It looks like it __________ soon.
    1.   is raining
    2.   will rain
    3.   is going to rain
    4.   will be rain
  5. PERSON A: My son, who is an engineer, just finished building a new bridge.
    PERSON B: Really? What __________ next?
    1.   does he do
    2.   is he do
    3.   must he be doing
    4.   is he going to do
  6. That bag of groceries looks heavy. I __________ it for you.
    1.   am going to carry
    2.   am carrying
    3.   will carry
    4.   will be carry
  7. I expect the company president __________ us of his decision at the meeting.
    1.   will be inform
    2.   will inform
    3.   does inform
    4.   will to informing
  8. PERSON A: I was going to make a sandwich, but we're out of bread.
    PERSON B: No problem. I __________ to the store and buy a couple of loaves.
    1.   am going to go
    2.   am go
    3.   will go
    4.   am going
  9. You must be hungry. I __________ you a sandwich.
    1.   am making
    2.   will make
    3.   must to make
    4.   make
  10. My cousin is in town for a few days. __________ him to dinner?
    1.   I am going to invite
    2.   Shall I invite
    3.   Must I to invite
    4.   Will we to invite

      5. Expressing the Future 2

      Choose the answer that best completes each sentence.

Click on the button beside the best answer.
  1. PERSON A: I need to get to the airport quickly, but my car won't start.
    PERSON B: OK. I __________ you.
    1.   am driving
    2.   am going to drive
    3.   must drive
    4.   will drive
  2. PERSON A: There's someone at the door, but I'm washing the dishes at the moment.
    PERSON B: OK. I __________ who it is.
    1.   am going to see
    2.   am seeing
    3.   will see
    4.   must see
  3. PERSON A: Why are you carrying that hammer?
    PERSON B: I __________ some pictures on the wall.
    1.   am going to hang
    2.   am hanging
    3.   will hang
    4.   must hanging
  4. There is a lot of work to do yet, but I think I __________ the report by Monday.
    1.   will probably finish
    2.   am probably finishing
    3.   am probably going to finish
    4.   will finish probably
  5. We __________ to a new Japanese restaurant tomorrow night. Would you like to join us?
    1.   will go
    2.   going
    3.   are going
    4.   will be go
  6. The person that we need to speak to won't be available until 1:30. __________ we come back then?
    1.   Shall
    2.   Are we coming
    3.   Let's
    4.   Will
  7. HIKER A: That old bridge is in terrible condition.
    HIKER B: Right. It looks as though it __________ down if we try to cross it.
    1.   is falling
    2.   is going to fall
    3.   will fall
    4.   must to fall
  8. Customer: This shirt is the wrong size. Do you have any that are larger?
    Sales Person: Just a minute, sir. I __________ in the back of the store.
    1.   will look
    2.   will looking
    3.   am looking
    4.   am going to look
  9. May I have your attention, please? There __________ an important meeting in my office for all management staff at 11:00.
    1.   is being
    2.   will have
    3.   is going to be
    4.   will be
  10. WIFE: Did you remember to pick up some milk on the way home from work?
    HUSBAND: Sorry, I completely forgot, but I __________ get some now.
    1.   am going to
    2.   will go
    3.   will to go
    4.   going



    building blocksFuture: Forms

    Introduction

    In English, there are many ways of talking about events in the future. Many students find it difficult to decide which form to use in a particular situation. This page explains the differences between main forms which we use when talking about future time.

    1. Basic meanings of the forms

    Most students know that “will” and “going to” are used to talk about future time in English. However, we also use the present progressive (“be” + ING) and the present simple tense. Here are the basic rules.
    Form Meaning / Usage Example
    “Will” volunteering to do something
    deciding at the time of speaking to do something     		Angelo: I need a pencil.
    Sarah: I'll lend you mine.
    “Going to” talking about something that is already decided Angelo: Have you registered for the class yet?
    Sarah: Not yet. I'm going to register tomorrow.
    Present Continuous talking about something that is already arranged Angelo: Do you want to go to the movies tonight?
    Sarah: Sorry, I can't. I'm playing soccer.
    Present simple talking about a schedule, timetable or program Angelo: What time does the next bus leave?
    Sarah: It leaves at six.

    2. Predicting the future

    When you are predicting what you think will happen in the future, you should choose the form based on how certain you are. If you're not too sure, it's fine to use “will”, but if you're nearly certain about something, it's best to use “going to”.
    I think it will rain.
    (I'm not sure, but it looks like it might.)

    It's going to rain.
    (I'm sure it's going to rain — I can see black clouds in the sky.)
    When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises.

    Future: Forms 1

    Each question has a sentence referring to future time. In each question, think about the context and meaning of what the person is saying, and choose which verb form you think would be best.

    Click on the button beside the correct answer.

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