Talking about the Future

In the English language, there are several ways to talk about the future using different tenses and auxiliaries. However, grammarians often claim that English has no 'future tense.'
Let's see how we can talk about the future in English:

When we want to talk about plans, we can use the Present Continuous. The 'present continuous' tense is mostly used to talk about what is happening now, when we want to talk about the future and not the present, we should use a future time expression. Compare these examples:

You can also use the form 'be going to' without any difference in the meaning of the sentence.

When we want to talk about timetables, schedules, etc. we use the Simple Present tense, for example when we want to talk about times at which buses, trains, planes arrive and leave, movie times, classes, etc.

When we want to talk about a spontaneous decision (when we decide to do something at the very moment of speaking) We use 'will.' Look at the examples:

'Going to' and the 'present continuous' structures are also used to talk about decisions, but we use 'will' when we are making a spontaneous decision. Do not use 'will' to talk about future plans that have already been decided. Let's compare these sentences:

When we want to predict the future based on evidence and facts, we use 'be going to.' For example:

But, sometimes when we want to predict something about the future, it is not based on facts. We are only making subjective personal predictions based on our intuition or what we believe. In this case, use 'will' instead of 'be going to.' Check out the examples:

It is possible to use 'will' to talk about things that we are able or free to do in the very near future. Look at the examples:

We usually use 'will' instead of 'be going to' to show that we are willing to do something right away or as soon as we can. If we use 'be going to,' it sounds more like we plan to do it, but not right away. For example:

We use 'will' when we are making offers or suggestions. For example:

When we want to make people do or not do things in the near future or at the time of speaking, we can use the present continuous.

The present continuous is also used when someone invites us to do something, and we want to refuse. Check out the examples:

When we want to confirm a future plan or appointment, we can use the future continuous.
You can use phrases like 'just to confirm' or 'just to make sure' to let people know your future plans. For example:

When we want to complain about a service or a product and we want to show that we will be taking some kind of action we can use the future continuous. Here are the examples:

The future continuous is also used to make a promise or to let people know that you will be doing what you said you would do. For example:

If you want to talk about what you will have done by a certain time in the future or something that will be finished by a certain time, you can use the future perfect. Look at the examples:

The future perfect can also be used when you want to talk about your dreams or things you wish you will have done or experienced by the end of a certain period. Here are the examples:

There are different ways to talk about the future in English. Let us see what options there are to use, in each situation. Check out the table below: