Expressing Futurity

Four tenses commonly

used to express futurity:

1. Our bus leaves at 6 am tomorrow.

2. Jack is meeting his girlfriend after school.
3. I’ll help you with your homework.
4. Lilly is going to study medicine next year.

a. Will future (simple future)

b. ‘Going to’ future
c. Present Continuous
d. Present Simple
 Simple/Will Future

Spontaneous decisions
I'm thirsty. I'll drink a glass of water.

Predictions
I think the world will still be here in 1000 years.
- expressing own opinion about future happenings

[will + verb]

(+) You will help him later.

(?) Will you help him later?
(-) You will not help him later.
 ‘Going to’ Future
Intentions or plans:
She's going to look for a new job next year.

Predictions based on evidence:

Look at the clouds. There's going to be rain.

[am/is/are + going to + verb]

(+) You are going to meet Jude tonight.

(?) Are you going to meet Jill tonight?
(-) You are not going to meet Jill tonight.
 Present Continuous
Future arrangements:
I'm meeting my friend tomorrow morning.

- more than just a plan – something has already been arranged

[am/is/are + present participle (verb+ING)]

(+) You are watching TV.

(?) Are you watching TV?
(-) You are not watching TV.
 Present Simple

Definite schedule or timetable:

The next train to Athens leaves at 3pm.
- talking about facts that are true to everyone

[VERB] + s/es (only in third person)

(+) You speak English.

(?) Do you speak French?
(-) You do not speak French.
Think… Which tense? Why?

Train – leave – 12:00.

Car – crash. It almost flew past me!

Stop it now! He – see – you.

I – meet – Orlando Bloom – tomorrow.

Predicting the future

A teacher asked one of the boys in

her class,
"Can people predict the future with
cards?"

His response was,

"My mother can."

The teacher replied, "Really?"

The young boy was quick to explain,

"Yes, she takes one look at my report
card and tells me what will happen
when my father gets home."