Expressing the Future
Introduction
While the English language has past and present tenses, it does not have a future
tense. To say what will happen in the future, you can use the modal auxiliary will (plus
the base form of the main verb), the verb phrase be going to (plus the base form of the
main verb, the present simple or the present progressive, but be careful. There are
times when one is preferred over the others.
The Present Simple Tense for Future Events
The present simple tense is used to talk about future events that have been scheduled.
Examples would be meetings, timetables, airline schedules, etc. See the examples
below.
Hurry up! I don't want to miss any of the game. It starts at 1:00.
The meeting is in the boardroom. It begins at 10:00.
He'll be here soon. His plane arrives at 6:45.
The Present Progressive Tense for Future Events
In English, we often use the present progressive (be + verb + ing) to talk about future
events which have already been planned. Time words in the sentence, such as next
week, next year, tomorrow, etc., make it clear that the action is not happening at this
moment.
Be careful. Verbs that describe states rather than actions are not used in the
progressive form. These include words like know, believe, hear, love seem own and
need. Study the examples below.
I'm playing golf with some friends on Saturday. (correct)
I'm needing a ride to work tomorrow. (incorrect)
In the first example, the speaker is talking about an action that has been planned. The
use of the words on Saturday tell us that the action is not happening now. The use of
the verb need in the second example is incorrect. Need is used to show a state or
condition rather than an action. Therefore, it is wrong to use it in the progressive form.
The chart below shows more words that are not used in the progressive form.
Verbs Not Used in the Progressive
(a) Verbs describing feelings like, prefer, appear, seem, want, look, love, hate,
or attitude appreciate, dislike, need
(b) Verbs showing ownership possess, belong, own, have
(c) Verbs associated with the
smell, see, hear, taste
senses
(d) Verbs concerning mental forget, remember, understand, know, believe, mean,
activity recognize, think
Note: Some of these words can be used in the progressive form with changes in
meaning.
I have been meaning to write her. (The speaker was intending to write to her.)
I'm sorry. Miss Jones is seeing a client at the moment. Would you mind waiting? (Miss
Jones is with a client.)
You will be hearing from my attorney! (My attorney will be contacting you.)
Will or Be Going To?
When English speakers predict what they think will happen or become true in the
future, they can use either will or be going to. Look at the example sentences below.
We'd better cancel the picnic. The weather person says we will have heavy rain on the
weekend.
We'd better cancel the picnic. The weather person says we are going to have heavy rain
on the weekend.
In both cases, the speakers are making predictions about the weather on the weekend.
There is no difference in meaning between the first example and the second. However,
there are a number of situations when it is better to use will than be going to, and vice
versa.
Expressing Future Events with Will
We use will + the base form of the main verb in these situations.
Use “Will” Example Explanation
To talk about things
that we think will
happen James will probably I know James is interested in history.
(In such cases we study history at Therefore I guess or predict that he
often use words such university. will study history in the future.
as “I think” or
“probably”.)
For official or formal The graduation Any type of ceremony, including a
announcements dinner will take graduation ceremony, is a formal or
concerning future place on June 3rd important event. Therefore, the use
events of this year. of will is appropriate here.
You forgot your
For promises or wallet. Don't worry.
offers related to the I'll lend you some
In each case, the speaker is
future money.
expressing a willingness to help the
(In such cases, we are
listener.
expressing The phone is
willingness.) ringing. Don't get
up. I'll answer it.
Before this conversation, Person B
Person A: The car is was not planning to wash the car
For decisions
very dirty. after lunch. He decided to do so
concerning future
Person B: You're because of something Person A said.
events that are made
right. I'll wash it In other words, he made his decision
while talking
after lunch. to wash the car during the
conversation.
When making serious Don't worry. I won't In each case, the speaker is
promises forget to pay you expressing a promise to do
Use “Will” Example Explanation
back the money.
I'll take care of your
house while you're
out of the country.
something in the future.
Don't worry about a
thing.
I'll never forgive
him!
Shall
Shall was used in the past for the affirmative will. Today however, the forms I will or we
will are preferred. Nevertheless, shall is still used in questions about the future that
make offers and suggestions or ask for advice.
What shall we do if they don't come soon? (asking for advice.)
It's hot in here. Shall I open a window? (making an offer)
Shall we try to finish the project today? (making a suggestion)
Using Be Going To
We use be going to + the base form of the main verb in these situations.
Use “Be Going To” Example Explanation
For prediction — The speaker is
We use be going to + the base making a prediction
Something smells
form of the main verb to make a about a future meal
good. Dinner is going
prediction about the future based based on what his
to be delicious.
on our sense of sight, smell, taste, sense of smell tells
hearing or touch. In other words, him in the present.
something about the present
causes us to think an action will The sun is shining and The speaker is
Use “Be Going To” Example Explanation
there's not a single making a prediction
cloud in the sky. It's based on what (s)he
happen very soon or immediately. going to be a nice day. sees.
Last year we went to
For a plan — Hawaii for our
We use be going to + the base vacation. This year we The speaker is
form of the main verb to talk about are going to take a talking about a
future events which have already cruise to Alaska. After planned event.
been planned. work I'm going to play
squash with a friend.
Mom and Dad are
For informal situations — going to be angry
We use be going to + the base when they see the This is an informal
form of the main verb when we talk mess you've made. situation between
about informal situations involving You'd better clean it two siblings.
future actions. up before they get
home.
When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the
exercises.
Continue with the exercises
