Will for predictions

1. Most of the time, will is used to express an upcoming event/fact that will
happen in the future
a. I’ll walk my dog after I get home.
b. I will be having classes shortly.
c. This winter it will snow heavily, according to the news.
2. Will can also be used to express an opinion. In this case, it’ll be often followed
by phrases like I’m not sure…, I think…, In my opinion… .
a. In my opinion, after the previous movies, this one will be the biggest in
the series.
b. I’m not sure if it will rain tomorrow.
c. I think you’ll be a great doctor one day.
3. In expressions that shows consequences (conditions), will is used to connect
the outcome.
a. If I don’t find the keys, someone will have a problem.
b. I’ll make a checklist of the things we need to buy before leaving.
c. I won’t drive if I start to drink.

Going to for prediction

In this instance, going to can express certainty about the future. There’s evidence in

the present that something probably will happen in the future. Although will and going
to can be similar, the most notable distinction is that while will expresses chance that
something will happen in the future without evidence backing it up, going to is based
on evidence that an event will certainly happen.

 The train is leaving! We’re going to have to run to catch it in time!

 We are in Christmas season, so every movie is going to be about Christmas.
o I don’t believe Carlos will be able to go to the trip with us. (= my
opinion)
o Carlos is working in a full-time job. He’s not going to be able to travel
with us. (= prediction with evidence)

Decisions and intensions – will and going to

 Will is used to express an intention made while speaking.

o “Who’s going to buy us ice cream?” “I’ll go buy them”
o I’ll tell her that you said hi.
o We’ll go eat something nice after I finish my stuff.
 Going to is used to express a decision/intention made before the moment of
speaking.
o We’re going to travel in the summer.
o He’s going to be a great father.
Other uses of will

Will can also be used to express a meaningless future situation or be used to express a
variety of meanings depending on the verb’s meaning.

 I’ll have to ask you to leave (= request)

 The door won’t open (= refusal)
 I’ll help you out (= promise)

Present Continuous for arrangements

The Present Continuous form expresses arrangements between people and fixed
plans, when something is sure to happen. The event is decided and happening in the
future or near future. It’s not used to express events out of people’s control.

 I’m going to the party tomorrow

 What are you having for dinner?
 When are you leaving town?

The biggest difference between Present Continuous and going to is that the prior
focuses on a plan happening at near future, while the latter emphasizes a person’s
intentions.

 I’m seeing my friend today. (= fixed plan with time frame)

 I’m going to see what’s up with my friend (= I will check the problem that my
friend has)

Present Simple for timetables

1. Used when referring to an event on a timetable or calendar.

a. My plane leaves at 11:00
b. Vacations end on August 15.
c. It’s exam’s week next week.
2. Also used with conjunction such as if, when, unless, etc.
a. When I get the vaccine, I’ll go eat outside
b. Unless he really takes the test, he won’t be attending the university he
wants.
c. We’ll have barbecue if Jonas remembers to buy stakes.

Future Continuous

This tense expresses an activity that is happening before and after a time in the future,
and used to refer to events that are bound to happen as time goes on.

 I’ll be reading at 9:00, so don’t interrupt me.

 This time tomorrow I’ll be exercising at the gym.
 The celebration will be happening after the new year arrives (New Year’s Eve)
Future Perfect

Used when referring to an activity that’ll be completed before a defined time in the
future/before a deadline.

 By morning, I’ll have fixed everything in the workshop.

 I’ll have gotten the medicine before anything worse happen.
 I’ll have graded all the papers by midnight