Future forms

Unit 3
Future forms
The form we choose for the future depends on our relationship to a future event
The form used will depend on a person’s intentions, how certain they are that something will happen, and how much control they have over what will happen.
I. Predictions
1. Future will
2. Future going to
3. Future continuous
4. Future Perfect
1. We use will to predict or make guesses about future events.
Who do you think will win the match?
It will rain early in the morning and then (will) clear up later in the day.
Who’s that latter from? It’ll be from the bank I expect.
When we have external evidence or support for what we are saying, we often use going to.
Be careful! You’re going to break it. (You can see the object slipping)

Don’t give it to the baby, she’ll only break it. (Based on your knowledge of children)
The Future Continuous is used for actions that are going on now and which we think will progress into the future.

Ex: They’ll be working on this project till next spring.
The Future Continuous is also used when we project ourselves into the future and see something happening.
Ex: This time next week we’ll be lying on the beach in Tenerife
We use the Future Perfect when we project ourselves into the future and look back to say whether an action has been completed.

Ex: Will you have finished writing the report by the time I get back?
The Future Perfect is also used to speculate about the present.
Ex: Do you think they will have left by now or will they still be at home?
II. Scheduled events
1. Present Simple
2. Future will
1. Simple Present
We usually talk about scheduled future events outside our control using the Present Simple.

The election booths close at midnight.
The new TV drama starts at eight –thirty.
The train leaves in half an hour.
2. Future will
We can talk about official future events using the Present Simple or Will.

Ex:
The ceremony begins/ will begin in a few minutes.
III. Decisions - will
We use will to react to events that have just happened or something that has just been said.

The phone’s ringing, can someone answer it? OK, I’ll get it.
What would you like to drink? I’ll have a beer, please.
IV. Intensions and decisions
Going to
Future Continuous
1. Going to
We use going to when we have already made a decision, or to talk about intensions.

Ex: I’m going to apply for another job.
Are you going to carry on using the computer or can I turn it off?
2. Future Continuous
Using the Future Continuous is a polite way to ask other people about their intensions without trying to influence them.

Will you be needing any more help with this, or can I go home now?
Will you be seeing Michael next week? If so, could you give him this?
V. Plans and arrangements
1. Present Continuous
2. Future Continuous
1. Present Continuous
The Present Continuous is used to talk or ask about plans and arrangements.
Ex:
I’m selling my house my house. We’re moving to Brighton.
Are you doing anything interesting this weekend?
2. Future Continuous
We use the Future Continuous to talk about situations outside our control.
Ex:
Ms Southern will be arriving on the six o’clock flight.
The company won’t be closing down till the end of the year.