Future Tenses

Future Tense

There are  many ways to describe the future and I list them all below:

1.

Present Simple

 We use the present simple to talk about a timetable or a programme

Examples:

The train leaves at 8am tomorrow morning

What time does your flight leave tomorrow?

My flight doesn’t leave till noon tomorrow

Programme:

The meeting starts at 9am 2morrow

Your class starts at 10pm on Friday

The movie starts at 8pm tonight

2.

Present Continuous

We use the present continuous to talk about a fixed arrangement in the future.

Examples:

I am meeting my friend tonight at 9pm

I am going to the cinema with a friend on Friday

I am seeing the doctor on Friday at 3pm

Exercise:

Days of the week	Fixed arrangements
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

3.

Going to + bare infinitive

We use going to + infinitive to talk about what we intend to do (intention) or have already decided to do.

Examples:

I am going to study Chinese next year

Are you going to apply for that new job advertised recently by Google?

Are you going to study at Trinity College next year?

We are going to lower our prices next month

It’s Pat’s birthday tomorrow; I’m going to buy her a new camera

b)        We also use the going to + infinitive for future predictions when we have evidence

Examples:

There are big black clouds in the sky – It’s going to rain

She’s going to have a baby (evidence – fat tummy)

He’s going to fall off his bike (looks like he’s going to fall)

4.

Will + Infinitive

a.

We use will + infinitive to talk about something we have decided at the moment of speaking (quick / spontaneous decisions)

Examples:

Speaker 1. ‘ I’m hungry’

Speaker 3 ‘ I’ll make you a sandwich’

b.

We use will + infinitive to say something we think or believe will happen in the future (prediction with no evidence)

Examples:

I think Brazil will win the world cup in 2014

I don’t think it will snow tomorrow

c.

We use will + infinitive when we promise or offer to do something for someone.

Examples:

I promise I’ll write to you when you return home

I’ll pick you up at the airport (if you like)