FUTURE FORMS

There is no future in learning English anon

The above quote is a play on words (a joke with two possible meanings). The hidden
meaning here is that we dont conjugate verbs to make statements about the future. Instead
we use other words or tenses to show that we are talking about the future.
The future forms here are presented in order of likelihood, from the weakest to the most
definite.
Will-

I/you/he/she/it/we/they/you

will

do

Will is used when we make a decision for the future at the time of speaking.
I will answer the phone.
We will come to your house tonight.
They say that they will arrive late.
decision
action
|-----------------*
Past---------------------------------------Now-------------------------------------Future
Be Going To-

I
you/we/they/you
he/she/it

am
are
is

going to

+ do

be going to is used when we have made decision for the future previous to the time of
speaking.
We are going to meet our manager on Sunday.
Joyce is going to move tomorrow.
They said that they are going to arrive late.
decision
action
|---------------------------------*
Past---------------------------------------Now-------------------------------------Future

ELTC Cardiff Metropolitan University

Task 1
Form sentences using will or going to.
1. I / think /have a cup of coffee.
2. Its snowing and I / not / go out today.
3. Where / you be in ten years time?
4. If you are in, we / see you at seven.
5. Those two cars are driving too quickly, they / crash!
6. Ann wrote me a letter saying that she / come to visit.
7. Someones knocking at the door. I / answer it.
8. She / bring her sister?
9. You / take a holiday in Turkey?
10. Oh no! The heating has broken, what / we / do?

ELTC Cardiff Metropolitan University

Present Continuous-

(see present continuous)

When we want to suggest that a previously made plan is very likely we use the present
continuous.
I am meeting Sally at 1pm on Thursday
She is having a party next week
plan
action
|---------------------------------*
Past---------------------------------------Now-------------------------------------Future
Task 2
Increase the probability of these statements by changing them into the present continuous
1. I am going to watch a film tonight.
2. She is going to have dinner with her husband on Friday.
3. They are going to move house on the weekend.
4. He is going to phone the cable company later.
5. They are going to climb Everest next year.
6. My cousin is going to come here for a couple of weeks.

Present Simple-

(see present simple)

The most definite plan for the future is suggested by the use of the present simple. Usually
this is used for timetables or set dates in the future.
The Queen arrives at 9pm tonight
James and Amy return next month
Christmas is on a Monday next year
timetabled arrangement
action
|---------------------------------*
Past---------------------------------------Now-------------------------------------Future

ELTC Cardiff Metropolitan University

Task 3
This is Alexs diary, use the present simple to write full sentences about his week

1. On Monday Alex goes to the doctor.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

ELTC Cardiff Metropolitan University

If we want to focus on the estimated duration or outcome of a future action we can use
the future continuous or the future perfect
Future ContinuousI/you/ he/she/it/we/they/you

+
will
+
am/is/are going to

be

doing

When we want to talk about an action that will be in progress at a given time in the future
we use this form.
Come here at 8pm, we will be eating at 7pm He will be working all day on Saturday They
are going to be traveling at this time tomorrow
************
Past---------------------------------------Now-------------------------------------Future

Task 4
Write sentences about yourself using the future continuous.
1. This time tomorrow

2. Next Saturday

3. Tonight

4. In the summer

5. Next month

6. On my birthday...

7. In five years time

8. This time next year

ELTC Cardiff Metropolitan University

Future PerfectI/you/ he/she/it/we/they/you

+
will
+
am/is/are going to

have

done

Again, the perfect tense can present problems, as with the past perfect, if you consider it as
being the present perfect tense set in the future you will find it easier to understand.
It is used to give estimates of a future outcome and round numbers up
I will have finished this by 10.15 She is going to have completed three courses by the end
of this semester I have worked here for eleven months, next month I will have worked here
for exactly a year
outcome
point in the future
*..*
Past---------------------------------------Now-------------------------------------Future

Task 5
Write sentences about yourself using the future perfect.
1. This time tomorrow

2. Next Saturday

3. Tonight

4. In the summer

5. Next month

6. On my birthday...

7. In five years time

8. This time next year

ELTC Cardiff Metropolitan University

Future Perfect ContinuousI/you/ he/she/it/we/they/you

+
will
+
am/is/are going to

have +

been

doing

Finally, this form is very similar to the future perfect but, as with all of the continuous tenses, it
focuses more on the duration of the action.
They will have been trying to do this for three years She is going to have been studying for
five years by the end of this month Next month I will have been working here for exactly a
year
outcome
point in the future
duration of action
*..*
Past---------------------------------------Now-------------------------------------Future
Task 6
Write sentences about yourself using the future continuous.
1. This time tomorrow

2. Next Saturday

3. Tonight

4. In the summer

5. Next month

6. On my birthday...

7. In five years time

8. This time next year

ELTC Cardiff Metropolitan University