ge11-3.2· Unit 3: Tenses & Verb Forms· ~14 min

Future forms

Choosing between will, be going to, present forms, future continuous and future perfect.

English has several ways to talk about the future, and the right one depends on meaning, not just on time. We use 'will' for instant decisions, predictions and promises, and 'be going to' for plans we have already made and for predictions based on present evidence. Fixed arrangements with other people are usually expressed with the present continuous (I am meeting Tom at six), while timetables and schedules use the present simple (the train leaves at nine). For actions in progress at a future moment we use the future continuous (will be doing), and for actions completed before a future point we use the future perfect (will have done) or the future perfect continuous (will have been doing) to stress duration. After time words such as when, as soon as, until, before and after, we do NOT use 'will'; we use a present tense instead. For example: 'I'll call you as soon as I arrive' (not 'as soon as I will arrive').

Key terms

will — Used for instant decisions made at the moment of speaking, predictions, offers and promises (I'll answer it; I won't tell anyone).
be going to — Used for plans decided in advance and for predictions based on present evidence (I'm going to study medicine; Look at those clouds, it's going to rain).
Present continuous for arrangements — Used for fixed personal arrangements, usually with other people and a definite time (I'm meeting Sarah at 7 p.m. tomorrow).
Present simple for timetables — Used for scheduled events such as trains, schools and programmes (The train leaves at 9:15; The museum closes at 6 p.m.).
Future continuous — will be + -ing — an action that will be in progress at a particular future moment (This time tomorrow we will be flying over the Atlantic).
Future perfect — will have + past participle — an action completed before a future point (By the end of this year she will have finished her novel).
Future forms at a glance
FormUseExample
will + infinitivePrediction, instant decision, offer, promiseDon't worry, I will answer it.
be going to + infinitivePlan made earlier, evidence-based predictionIt is going to rain.
Present continuousFixed personal arrangementI am meeting Sarah at 7 p.m. tomorrow.
Present simpleTimetable or scheduleThe train leaves at 9:15.
Future continuous (will be + -ing)Action in progress at a future momentThis time tomorrow we will be flying.
Future perfect (will have + V3)Action completed before a future pointBy the end of this year she will have finished it.
Choosing the right form: common contrasts
SituationWrong choiceCorrect choice
A spontaneous offer or decisionbe going towill (Here, I will carry it for you.)
A plan made in advancewillbe going to (We are going to travel to Italy next week.)
A fixed arrangement with someonewillpresent continuous (I am having dinner with my cousins.)
A fixed schedule or timetablepresent continuous / willpresent simple (The museum closes at 6 p.m.)
In progress at a future momentwill + infinitivefuture continuous (At 10 a.m. they will be sitting their exam.)
After when, as soon as, until, before, afterwilla present tense (I'll call you as soon as I arrive.)
✎will or be going to? An offer vs a plan
  1. 1Sentence A: "This bag looks heavy." "Here, I ___ carry it for you."
  2. 2Decide: The offer is decided on the spot, at the moment of speaking, so this is an instant decision.
  3. 3Answer A: Use will: Here, I will carry it for you.
  4. 4Sentence B: We've bought the tickets and packed our bags; we ___ travel to Italy next week.
  5. 5Decide: The trip was clearly planned in advance, so this is a prior plan, not a now-decision.
  6. 6Answer B: Use be going to: we are going to travel to Italy next week.
✎Future continuous vs future perfect
  1. 1In progress: Don't call me at 8 p.m. - I ___ dinner with my family then. The action is ongoing at that future moment.
  2. 2Answer: Future continuous: I will be having dinner then.
  3. 3Completed before: By the end of this year, she ___ her first novel. The action is finished before a future point.
  4. 4Answer: Future perfect: she will have finished her first novel.
🚫Common mistake

A fixed arrangement with another person takes the present continuous, not 'will'. Say 'I am having dinner with my cousins; it's already arranged', not 'I will have dinner'.

🚫Common mistake

A timetable or schedule takes the present simple, not the present continuous or 'will'. Say 'The museum closes at 6 p.m. every evening', not 'is closing' or 'will close'.

🚫Common mistake

Use 'will' for a decision made now and 'be going to' for a plan made earlier. An offer made on the spot is 'will' (I will carry it); a trip planned in advance is 'be going to' (we are going to travel).

⚠️Caution

After when, as soon as, until, before, after and once, do NOT use 'will'; use a present tense. Say 'I'll call you as soon as I arrive', not 'as soon as I will arrive'.

Rules

  1. 1Use 'will' for instant decisions, predictions and promises; use 'be going to' for prior plans and evidence-based predictions.
  2. 2Use the present continuous for fixed personal arrangements and the present simple for timetables/schedules.
  3. 3Future continuous (will be + -ing) describes an action in progress at a future time; future perfect (will have + past participle) describes an action finished before a future time.
  4. 4Future perfect continuous (will have been + -ing) stresses how long an action will have lasted by a future point.
  5. 5After when, as soon as, until, before, after and once, use a present tense, not 'will'; use 'be about to' for the very near future.

Practice

15 easy · 15 medium · 15 hard

10 random questions per test

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