Future forms



Present simple - schedules
•We can use present simple for future if the event in the future is regular
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•Hurry, the train leaves at 11:40.
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•We should go, the meeting starts at 15:00.
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•In both cases, the event is in the future, but we know by the tense that it always happens at this
time.

Present continuous – near future
•We can use present continuous to speak about near future events and appointments.
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•I am going to a party tonight / this weekend.
•- the event is near
•I am going to a doctor this afternoon.
•- the event is an appointment

Will
•1. on spot decisions (often during conversations)
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•Wait, I will close the door.
•- I got this idea right now
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•2. predictions without evidence (emotional, general)
•I think it will rain.
•- It is just a guess and a feeling when used with will (words such as think, believe often
preceed)

Be going to
•1. Future decisions and plans that we have already made, distant future
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•I am going to Italy next summer.
•- I have already decided/planned this
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•2. predictions with evidence
•It is going to rain soon.
•- I have some evidence (there are clouds, I watched the weather forecast and such)

Future continuous
•Activities that will be in progress in the particular moment in future.
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•Next month at this time, I will be sailing on the ocean.
•- it is happening in that moment in future

Future perfect - deadlines
•We use this tense to talk about deadlines in the future and about activities what will finish at
some point in future.
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•I will have submitted the assignment by Sunday. •- I do not know when I will submit, but
definitely by Sunday.

Future perfect continuous
•We use this tense to talk about how long something will be happening for in future.
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•I will have been studying for 4 years by September. •- at that time in future (September) the
activity will now be happening for 4 years.

For more, please see the handout!
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