FUTURE TENSES

TENSES USED TO DESCRIBE FUTURE ARE:

SIMPLE PRESENT
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
FUTURE SIMPLE
BE GOING TO
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
FUTURE PERFECT
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

 PRESENT SIMPLE
We use it in the future meaning when we are talking about
timetables, programs (for public transportation, cinemas, etc)
something is officially planned.

- We have our weekly meeting tomorrow so I’ll present your proposal

then.
- The car comes at eleven to collect the guest speakers and they arrive a
the hall at eleven-thirty.

Although the action takes place in the future, it takes place regularly and is set by a
timetable.

 PRESENT CONTINUOUS
We use it for personal arrangements when we have already
arranged to do something, with decisions and rm plans in the
future (to be going to – very close, however, Present Continuous is
much stronger, the plans are more rm and well prepared)

- I am staying in tonight. I’ve got loads of work to do

- Are you playing golf tomorrow morning

It is common with verbs: go, come visit, have ( a party), leave.

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 FUTURE SIMPLE
The future simple is formed:
Auxiliary verb WILL + Main Verb Base form

It is used for :
Decisions made at the time of speaking.
- Oh, our guests are here. I’ll go and sort out some drinks for them.
- You look exhausted. I’ll cook dinner tonight.

Predictions based on guesswork, analysis, or judgment.

- We will still be here in twenty years.
- Will interest rates rise in the next three years?

To express statements of the fact in the future.

- Next week I will be 21.
- The sun will rise at 5.30 tomorrow morning.

In time clauses (when/once/as soon as/if/ after/ until),

we do not use WILL
- Won’t the park look good once the new trees have reached maturity?

 FUTURE CONTINUOUS
It is formed: WILL + BE + VERB + ING

For future events we see as certain because they are part of a

routine, especially when the event continues for a period of time.
- Winston will be performing with his band every night of the music
festival.
- We will be having our weekly meeting tomorrow afternoon, usual time.

To say that the event is inevitable.

- I’ll be seeing Mr. Byron at the court tomorrow -
he’s always there on Thursdays.

The future event is seen as arranged so we use this as a tactful way

of asking about someone’s plans or refusing an invitation.
- Will you be staying long?
- I’m sorry I cannot come to your wedding as I will be working on that
day.

Temporary action in progress at a particular point in the future

- This time next Tuesday afternoon I will be lying on the beach!
- Professor Craig will be giving a lecture tomorrow evening.

 FUTURE PERFECT
Form:
WILL+HAVE+PAST PARTICIPLE

To make predictions about actions which we expect to be

completed by a particular time in the future.
- He will have had the operation by May and should be a lot fitter
then.
- We will have lived in this house for twenty years in December.

 THE FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE

FORM:
WILL +HAVE +BEEN +ING FORM

USES:
To talk about an action which is still ongoing at a point in
the future, to focus on a duration of an action.
- By July they will have been building a house for a year.

With the verbs LIVE,STAY,WORK we can still use Future

Perfect
- We will have lived in this house for twenty years in December.

 GOING TO
FORM:
SUBJECT+ VERB TO BE (PRESENT)+GOING TO+ MAIN VERB

Planed events, not arranged yet, the focus is on our intention.

- We are going to see the musical at the theatre sometime next week.
- He is going to study environmental law next year.

We usually avoid BE GOING TO with the verbs GO and COME:

- Are you coming?
- I am going home now.

Present evidence to justify the prediction.

- Watch out! You are going to spill the wine.
- Look at those rainy clouds. It is going to rain.