THE FUTURE

FORM

USAGE

COMMENTS

EXAMPLES

* You cannot use the

present simple in these
sentences

A: Did you phone Lucy? B: Oh

no, I forgot. Ill phone her
now.

INTENTION
When we decide to do
sth at the time of
speaking

-We often use I think Ill

and I dont think Ill

I feel a bit hungry. I think

Ill have something to eat.

That

bag

looks

heavy.

Ill

help you with it.

will

Offering
to do sth

Agreeing
to do sth

A: Can you give Tim this book?

B: Sure, Ill give it to him as
soon as I see him.
I

wont

tell

anyone

happened, I promise.
Promising to do sth

what

Asking sb to do sth

You can use wont to say

that sb refuses to do sth.
We can also use wont
when the subject is not a
person.

Will

please

you

turn

the

stereo down? Im trying to

concentrate.
Ive tried to give her advice,
but she wont listen. / The car
wont start.

PREDICTION
When we are simply giving
information about the
future, or predicting future
events which are not
already decided (based
on our opinion or
experience) (there is no
reason to use a present
continuous or going to)

We often use will with:

-probably/perhaps
-I expect
-(Im) sure/afraid
-(I) think
-(I) dont think
-I wonder

Ill

be

probably

tonight

home

late

havent

seen

Carol today. I expect shell

this

phone

evening

Dont

worry about the exam. Im

sure youll pass / A: Do you
Kate

think

will

pass

the

exam? - B: Yes, shell pass

easily. / I wonder what will
happen
*After
I
hope,
we
generally use the present
(will is also possible)

hope

it

doesnt

rain

tomorrow (or I hope it wont

rain )
Look at
Its

be going to

PREDICTION
When we say that sth is
going to happen, the
situation NOW makes it
clear.

those black clouds!

going

to

rain

The

economic situation is bad now

and things are going to get
worse.

INTENTION
When we have already
decided to do sth, we
intend to do it.

present
continuous

begin to do it.
When we talk about
timetables, programmes,
etc. (for public transport,
cinemas, )
You can use the present
simple to talk about
people if their plans are
fixed like a timetable

A: I hear Sarah has won some

money. What is she going to do
with it? B: Shes going to buy
a new car.

What time are you meeting

When we have arranged

to do sth, e. g., arranged
to meet sb, arranged to
go somewhere. We often
give the time, date
and/or place. As it refers
to personal arrangements,
the subject of the verb
should be a person or
people and not a thing.
You can also use the
present continuous for an
action just before you

present
simple

Often the difference is

very small and either
form is possible, but the
present continuous is
more
natural
for
arrangements.

Ann

this

evening?

Im

leaving tomorrow. Ive got my

plane ticket.

This happens especially

with verbs of movement
(go/come/leave etc.)

Im tired. Im going to bed

now / A: Tina, dinners ready
B: Coming!
My train leaves at 11.30 and
arrives in Paris at 20.45 /
Tomorrow is Sunday
What time do you finish work
tomorrow? / Helen starts her
new job on Monday.