Talking about the Future
How to Talk about the Future?
In the English language, there are several ways to talk about the future using different tenses and auxiliaries. However, some grammarians believe that the future is not a tense, but a modality. Let's see how we can talk about the future in English:
Plans and Arrangements
Present continuous
Going to
Future continuous
When we want to talk about plans, we can use the Present Continuous tense. The 'present continuous' tense is mostly used to talk about what is happening now. However, when we want to talk about the future instead of the present we should use a future time expression. Compare these examples:
I am making lasagna. → present time → this is happening at the moment of speaking
I am making lasagna tomorrow night. → future → this is what the speaker is going to do tomorrow night
You can also use 'be going to' to talk about plans without any difference in the meaning of the sentence.
I'm going to make lasagna.
She's going to buy a car.
While the future simple tense is not commonly used in this case, the future continuous tense is used to talk about future plans and decisions. It indicates our intention or commitment to an ongoing action or event at some point in the future. Look at the examples:
By summer, Jack and I will be moving to Europe.
I will be talking to him this time tomorrow.
Spontaneous Decisions
Future simple with 'will'
We use 'will' to talk about spontaneous decisions made at the moment of speaking. For example:
Wait here. I'll go get some help.
I forgot to call my boyfriend. I'll do it after dinner.
We do not use 'be going to' and the present continuous tense to talk about decisions. Similarly, 'will' should not be used to talk about plans and arranged actions. Let's compare these sentences:
I'm wearing that dress tonight. → I've made a planned decision to wear that dress tonight. → Present continuous
I'm going to wear that dress tonight. → I've made a planned decision to wear that dress tonight. → 'Be going to'
I'll wear that dress tonight. → I just decided right now to wear that dress tonight. → Future simple with 'will'
Timetables and Schedules
Simple present
Be going to
Future continous
When we want to talk about timetables and schedules, we use the Simple Present tense, for example when we want to talk about the time something starts or happens.
My algebra class starts on Tuesday.
The plane to Moscow leaves at 7:15.
Keep in mind that present simple is used when referring to an officially decided and announced schedule. However, when talking about a more flexible and personal arrangement, we can use 'be going to.'
We are going to leave at 6:00.
We use the future continuous tense to talk about planned or scheduled events in the future, often as a reminder or warning. For example:
Just to confirm, the waiter will be bringing your dinner to your room at 8:00 p.m.
We'll be delivering you a package in an hour.
Predictions
Future simple with 'will'
Be going to
Future continuous
When making subjective, personal predictions based on our intuition or what we believe rather than objective facts, we use 'will.' Check out the examples:
If you go on an African Safari, you will probably see hippos.
Stop worrying about the wedding. It will be fine. You'll look great.
On the other hand, when we are predicting something based on evidence and facts, we use 'be going to.' For example:
Marta is pregnant. They're going to have a baby.
Look at all these dark clouds in the sky, I think it's going to rain.
The future continuous tense is also used to predict future events. It is commonly used when we are not completely sure that something will happen, but we think it is likely.
You'll be feeling tired after working all day.
I guess they'll be visiting us in London.
Promises & Offers
Future simple with 'will'
We can also use 'will' when making a promise or commitment to do something in very near future. Look at the examples:
Of course I will help you.
I'll call him to make sure.
We use 'will' when we are making offers or suggestions. For example:
Are you tired? I will make you a cup of tea.
Do you need that? I will buy it for you.
Kevin will help with the cleaning.
We also use 'will' to make polite requests in the form of questions. Look at the examples below:
Will you marry me?
Will you please answer the phone?
Ongoing Actions in the Future
Future continuous
The future continuous is a form of the verb that shows the action will be in progress at a certain point in the future. Look at the examples:
At 8 PM tonight, I will be watching the game.
This time next week, we will be lying on the beach!
Temporary Future States
Future Continuous
Future Perfect Continuous
While stative verbs are not typically used progressively, a few of them, such as 'live,' 'love,' 'expect,' 'stay,' 'enjoy,' 'feel,' and 'have' (in the sense of experiencing) can be used in continuous tenses to show a temporary state. The difference between future continuous and future perfect continuous in this case is that the future perfect continuous tense focuses on how long the state was experienced.
They will be living under difficult circumstances.
By next month, I will have been having trouble sleeping for a year.
Completed Action Before a Future Time
Future perfect
We use the future perfect tense to talk about an action that will be completed before a certain time in the future. In this case, the exact time of completion of action is not specified, just a deadline before which the action will be complete. Look at the examples:
By the time you read this, I will have left.
I will have finished my report by this time next week.
The future perfect can also be used when you want to predict the things you will have or hope you will have done or experienced by the end of a certain period. Here are the examples:
After this trip, we will have been to 4 different places.
After this job, you will have earned so much money.
I hope that, by the end of this year, I'll have met the love of my life.
Duration Before a Future Moment
Future perfect
Future perfect continuous
Both future perfect and future perfect continuous tenses can show the duration of an action that starts before and continues up to another action or time in the future. Their difference lies in their focus. While future perfect focuses on duration of a completed action before the moment in future, the future perfect continuous emphasizes the ongoing nature and continuity of the action. Compare the examples:
She will have worked at the company for 5 years by June.
Focus on completion.
They will have been building the bridge for 2 years by next summer.
Focus on continuous process.
Review
There are many ways to discuss future events and plans in English. Both present and future tenses can refer to future events. The table below summarizes the different tenses and their uses.
Present simple | Present continuous | Future simple | Future continuous | Future perfect | Future perfect continuous | Be going to | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plans and Arrangements | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Timetables and Schedules | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Predictions | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Promises & Offers | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Ongoing Actions in the Future | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Temporary Future States | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
Completed Action Before a Future Time | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
Duration Before a Future Moment | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
Quiz:
Which sentence correctly uses the Present Continuous for a future plan?
They are visiting Paris next month.
She is eating lunch right now.
I am going to call him in the morning.
I'm feeling a little dizzy.
Which sentence correctly expresses completion before a specific time in future?
By 2025, she will graduate.
She will be graduating in 2025.
By 2025, she will have graduated.
She is going to graduate in 2025.
Match each tense with the correct description of its use.
Read each statement and decide if it is True or False.
We use 'will' to talk about planned actions and arrangements for the future. | |
'Be going to' can only be used for future plans. | |
The future continuous tense is never used for predictions. | |
The future perfect tense is used to talk about actions that will be completed before a certain time in the future. |
Fill in each blank with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
I
(meet) Sarah at the café at 3 PM tomorrow.
The conference
(begin) at 9:00 AM sharp.
This time next week, I
(sunbathe) in Hawaii!
By 2025, she
(finish) writing her book.
By June, we
(work) on this project for two years.
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