1.
Use of Future Tenses in English
Simple Present Future Future
will-future going to-future
Present Progressive Progressive Perfect
future
actions
planned
happen sth. will
action in the already
without the
future action will
speaker's future have
planned definitely
action is happened
intention logical action in the happen (it
fixed (e.g. before a
near future usually
consequence timetable) certain
prediction, happens)
(sth. is going time in the
assumption future
to happen)
spontaneous
action
There is often very little difference between the future tenses. It often depends where you live (in
Britain or the USA) and when you use the sentence (in spoken or written communication).
In newsapapers we often use the will-future, when the going to-future is used in oral
communication.
newspaper:
The headmaster will close the old gym.
oral:
The headmaster is going to close the old gym.
We can substitute the going to-future with the Present Progressive when using an expression of
time.
She is going to see Frank at the airport at 8.30. = She is seeing Frank at the airport at 8.30.
2. Signal words
There are no unambiguous signal words for the future tenses. That's why you should analyse the
actions carefully and then define the tense.
3. Form
going to- Simple Present Future Future
will-future
future Present Progressive Progressive Perfect
infinitive
to be to be
3rd person
(am, are, i (am, are, is
will + infinit singular (he, will + be + infiniti will + have + p
s) + going )
ive she, ve + -ing ast participle
to + infinit + infinitive
it) infinitive
ive + -ing
+ -s
4. Examples.1. Affirmative sentences
Present
going to- Simple Future Future
will-future Progressiv
future Present Progressive Perfect
e
We are goi They will She will
The The I am going
ng to fly to be playing foot have written
sun will shine tomor train leaves to a party
Leeds in ball on Sunday the letter by
row. at 6.45. tonight.
summer. afternoon. tomorrow.
4.2. Negative sentences
Present
going to- Simple Future
will-future Progressi Future Perfect
future Present Progressive
ve
We are n
The I am not She will not hav
The ot going They will not be p
train does n going to a e written the
sun will not shi to fly to laying football on
ot leave at party letter by
ne tomorrow. Leeds in Sunday afternoon.
6.45. tonight. tomorrow.
summer.
4.3. Questions
Present
going to- Simple
will-future Progressi Future Progressive Future Perfect
future Present
ve
Are we g
Does the Am I goin
Will the oing Will they be playing Will she have wri
train leav g to a
sun shine tomo to fly to football on Sunday tten the letter by
e at party
rrow? Leeds in afternoon. tomorrow.
6.45? tonight?
summer?
FUTURE FORMS PRACTICE
Use the verbs in brackets in the correct future tenses – will-future, going to-future, Simple
Present or Present Progressive.
The train at 11:45. (to leave)
1. We dinner at a nice restaurant on Saturday, but we have't booked a
table yet. (to have)
2. My ski instructor believes it in the mountains tomorrow evening. (to
snow)
3. On Sunday at 8 o'clock I my friend. (to meet)
4. They to London on Friday evening at 8:15. (to fly)
5. Wait! I you to the station. (to drive)
6. The English lesson at 8:45. (to start)
7. I my sister in April. (to see)
8. Look at the clouds - it in a few minutes. (to rain)
9. Listen! There's someone at the door. I the door for you. (to open)
Check Show answ er
Put in the verbs in brackets into the gaps. Use
will-future, going to-future, Simple Present, Present Progressive, Future
Progressive or Future Perfect.
Show example
Do you need help?
Future Tenses in English – contrasted
Lisa has sold her car. She a bike. (to buy)
1. The museum at 10 am daily. (to open)
2. How old in 2050? (Harry/to be)
3. What time ? (the show/to begin)
4. What tomorrow evening? (you/to do)
5. These boxes are so heavy. them for me, please? (you/to carry)
6. What time Gerry? (he/to meet)
7. This lesson at 11:30 but at 11:40. (not/to end)
8. This time tomorrow we to York. (to drive)
9. The students their essays by the end of next week. (to write)
ANSWERS
1. The train leaves at 11:45.
2. We are going to have dinner at a nice restaurant on Saturday, but we have't booked a table yet.
3. My ski instructor believes it will snow in the mountains tomorrow evening.
4. On Sunday at 8 o'clock I am meeting my friend.
5. They are flying to London on Friday evening at 8:15.
6. Wait! I will drive you to the station.
7. The English lesson starts at 8:45.
8. I am going to see my sister in April.
9. Look at the clouds - it is going to rain in a few minutes.
10. Listen! There's someone at the door. I will open the door for you.
11. Lisa has sold her car. She is going to buy a bike.
12. The museum opens at 10 am daily.
13. How old will Harry be in 2050?
14. What time does the show begin?
15. What are you going to do tomorrow evening?
16. These boxes are so heavy. Will you carry them for me, please?
17. What time is he going to meet Gerry?
18. This lesson does not end at 11:30 but at 11:40.
19. This time tomorrow we will be driving to York.
20. The students will have written their essays by the end of next week.
Repeat exercise