1

THE FUTURE IN ENGLISH

1) Use

will-future going to-future Present Simple Present

Continuous Future Continuous Future Perfect

prediction,

assumption;

spontaneous action;

action happens

without the speaker's

intention

planned action in the

future;

logical consequence

(sth. is going to

happen)

future action is fixed

(e.g. timetable,

calendar)

planned action in

the near future with

a reference to a

future time.

action will definitely happen

(it usually happens)

sth. will already have

happened before a certain

time in the future

There is often very little difference between the future tenses. It often depends where you live (in Britain or the USA) and when you use the

sentence (in spoken or written communication).

In newspapers we often use the will-future, when the going to-future is used in oral communication.

newspaper: The headmaster will close the old gym.

oral: The headmaster is going to close the old gym.

We can substitute the going to-future with the Present Progressive when using an expression of time.

She is going to see Frank at the airport at 8.30.

She is seeing Frank at the airport at 8.30.

2) Signal words

There are no signal words that easily identify the future tenses. That's why you must understand and apply the different uses of each tense to each different circumstance.

2

3) Form

will-future going to-future Present Simple Present Continuous Future Continuous Future Perfect

will + infinitive

to be

(am, are, is)

+going

to +infinitive

infinitive

3rd person singular

(he, she,

it)infinitive + -s

to be

(am, are, is)

+infinitive + -ing

will + be +infinitive + -ing will + have + past participle

4) Examples

will-future going to-future Present Simple Present Continuous Future Continuous Future Perfect

4-1 Affirmative sentences

He will carry this

bag for you.

We are going to

fly to Leeds in

summer.

The train leaves at

6.45.

I am going to a party

tonight.

They will be playing football

on Sunday afternoon.

She will have written the

letter by tomorrow.

will-future going to-future Present Simple Present

Continuous Future Continuous Future Perfect

4-2 Negative sentences

He will not carry

this bag for you.

We are not going

to fly to Leeds in

summer.

The train does

notleave at 6.45.

I am not going to a

party tonight.

They will not be

playing football on Sunday

afternoon.

She will not have

written the letter by

tomorrow.

will-future going to-future Present Simple Present

Continuous Future Continuous Future Perfect

4-3 Questions

Will he carry this

bag for you?

Are we going

tofly to Leeds in

summer?

Does the train

leave at 6.45?

Am I going to a

party tonight?

Will they be playing football

on Sunday afternoon.

Will she have written the

letter by tomorrow.

3

THE FUTURE SIMPLE

Use

1) Future actions happen without the speaker's intention

The sun will shine tomorrow.

2) Predictions, assumptions

I think Sue will arrive in Paris at 6 pm.

3) Spontaneous actions

Hang on! I'll have a word with you.

Signal words no clear unambiguous words which differentiate the use of the future

simple

Form

will + infinitive

Examples

Affirmative sentences:

He will play football.

He'll play football.

Negative sentences:

He will not play football.

He won't play football. or He'll not play football.

Questions:

Will he play football? – Yes, he will/No, he won’t

4

GOING TO

Use

1) planned actions in the future

We are going to sing at the party.

2) You are certain that sth. is going to happen in the

future.

Look at that car! It is going to crash into the yellow one.

Signal words

no unambiguous ones

Form

to be (am, are, is) + going to + infinitive

Examples

Affirmative sentences:

I am going to play handball.

I'm going to play handball.

You are going to play handball.

You're going to play handball.

Negative sentences:

I am not going to play handball.

I'm not going to play handball.

You are not going to play handball.

You're not going to play handball.

You aren't going to play handball.

Questions:

Am I going to play handball? Are you going to play handball?

ATTENTION!!

Do not mix up with the Present Continuous!

going to-future Present Continuous

He's going to run in the marathon. He's running in the marathon next Sunday.