FUTURE TENSE

1. FUTURE SIMPLE: Will + infinitive

The simple future refers to a time later than now, and expresses facts or certainty.
Affirmative Negative Interrogative
I will / shall* survive I won't survive Will I survive?
You will survive You won't survive Will you survive?
He will survive He won't survive Will he survive?
She will survive She won't survive Will she survive?
It will survive It won't survive Will it survive?
We will/shall survive We won't survive Will we survive?
You will survive You won't survive Will you survive?
They will survive They won't survive Will they survive?

NOTE: In modern English will is preferred to shall.

Shall is mainly used with I and we to make an offer or suggestion: Shall I open the window?
With the other persons (you, he, she, they) shall is only used in literary or poetic situations, e.g.
"With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, She shall have music wherever she goes."
Uses Examples

To refer to events that will certainly happen in I will certainly remember you to my family
the future

Instant decisions Ok, I'll see you on Friday

The prices of petrol will rise by the end of the year

Predictions based on what we think or imagine
Tomorrow will be sunny and hot

Promises and offers Don't worry, I have time, I' ll go and buy some food for you

2. PRESENT CONTINUOUS FOR FUTURE EVENTS

Form: subject + present simple of to be + gerund (-ing): She is meeting

Use: The present continuous is used to talk about arrangements for events at a time later than now.
There is a suggestion that more than one person is aware of the event, and that some preparation has already
happened. e.g.
a. I'm meeting Jim at the airport = and both Jim and I have discussed this.
b. I am leaving tomorrow. = and I've already bought my train ticket.
c. We're having a staff meeting next Monday = and all members of staff have been told about it.

NOTE: BE CAREFUL! The simple present is used when a future event is part of a programme or timetable. Notice the
difference between:
a. We're having a staff meeting next Monday.
b. We have a staff meeting next Monday.(= we have a meeting every Monday, it's on the time-table.)

3. FUTURE WITH “GOING TO”

The use of 'going to' to refer to future events suggests a very strong association with the present. The time is not
important - it is later than now, but the attitude.
Affirmative Negative Interrogative
I'm going to travel I'm not going to travel Am I going to travel ?
You're going to travel You aren't going to travel Are you going to travel?
He's going to travel He isn't going to travel Is he going to travel?
She's going to travel She isn't going to travel Is she going to travel?
It's going to travel It isn't going to travel Is it going to travel?
We're going to travel We aren't going to travel Are we going to travel?
You're going to travel You aren't going to travel Are you going to travel?
They're going to travel They aren't going to travel Are they going to travel?

Note: In everyday speech, 'going to' is often shortened to 'gonna', especially in American English.

Uses Examples

Future plans and intentions (= the plan is in mind now) I'm going to buy a new mobile phone next week

Predictions based on what we can see at that moment Look at that car! it is going to crash into the lamp post
4. FUTURE CONTINUOUS
The future continuous refers to an unfinished action or event that will be in progress at a time later than now

Form: The future continuous is made up of two elements: the simple future of the verb 'to be' + the present participle
(base+ing)
Affirmative
I will be staying
You will be staying
He, she, it will be staying
We will be staying
You will be staying
They will be staying
Use:
Negative Interrogative
I won't be staying Will I be staying?
You won't be staying Will you be staying?
He won't be staying Will she be staying?
We won't be staying Will we be staying?
You won't be staying Will you be staying?
They won't be staying Will they be staying?

To project ourselves into the future and see something happening: This time next week I will be sun-bathing in
Bali.

To refer to actions/events that will happen in the future: I'll be seeing Jim at the conference next week.

In the interrogative form, especially with 'you', to distinguish between a simple request for information and an
invitation: Will you be coming to the party tonight? (= request for information) Will you come to the party? (= invitation)

5. FUTURE PERFECT
The future perfect refers to a completed action in the future.

Form: The future perfect is composed of two elements: the simple future of the verb to have (will have) + the past
participle of the main verb:
Affirmative Negative Interrogative
I'll have arrived I won't have arrived Will I have arrived?
You'll have arrived You won't have arrived Will you have arrived?
He'll have arrived She won't have arrived Will it have arrived?
We'll have arrived We won't have arrived Will we have arrived?
You'll have arrived You won't have arrived Will you have arrived?
They'll have arrived They won't have arrived Will they have arrived?

Use: When we use this tense we are projecting ourselves forward into the future and looking back at an action that will
be completed some time later than now.
It is often used with a time expression using by + a point in future time.
a. I'll have been here for six months on June 23rd.
b. By the time you read this I'll have left.
c. You will have finished your work by this time next week.

1. Exercise: Simple Present/Simple Future /Present Continuous / Future Continuous. Using the words in parentheses,
complete the text below with the appropriate tenses, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.

Right now, I am watching TV. Tomorrow at this time, I (watch)___________________ TV as well.

Tomorrow after school, I (go) _____________ to the beach. I am going on a dream vacation to Tahiti. While you
(do)____________ paperwork and (talk) _________ to annoying customers on the phone, I (lie)_________ on a sunny,
tropical beach. Are you jealous?
We (hide)_______ when Tony (arrive)___________ at his surprise party. As soon as he opens the door, we (jump)
________ out and (scream) ______________ "Surprise!"
We work out at the fitness centre every day after work. If you (come)__________ over while we (work__________ out,
we will not be able to let you into the house. Just to be safe, we (leave)___________ a key under the welcome mat so
you will not have to wait outside.
While you (study) ______________ at home, Magda (be) ___________ in class.
When I (get) ____________ to the party, Sally and Doug (dance) _____________ John (make) _____________ drinks,
Sue and Frank (discuss)____________ something controversial, and Mary (complain)_________ about something
unimportant. They are always doing the same things. They are so predictable.