Simple Continuous

Present - timetables/programs (future meaning) - fixed arrangements in the near future

The plane _____________________(reach) London She ____________________ (see) her dentist
at 9:45 this week

(Will+be+Ving)

- decisions taken at the moment of speaking (on-
the-spot) decisions
Since it’s getting dark, I_____________(turn
on) the lights
-hopes, fears, threats, promises, warnings,
predictions, requests, comments, esp. with:
Future expect, hope, believe, I’m sure, I’m afraid,
probably
(will) I’m afraid I____________(be) a little late
-actions or predictions which may (not) happen
in the future
She _________________________
(probably/buy) the dress
-actions which we cannot control and will
inevitably happen
He _____________(be) ten next
-things we are not sure about or haven’t
decided yet
She ________________________________
(probably/be) promoted
-actions in progress at a stated future time
He __________________________
(sunbathe) in Hawaii this time next year
- actions which are a result of a routine
(instead of Present Continuous)
I ______________________ (see) John
tomorrow
-when we ask politely about people’s
arrangements to see if they can smth for us
because we want to offer to do smth for
them
____________________________________
(go) to the supermarket? Can you buy me
some soda?

-actions intended to be performed in the near

future
She __________________________(visit) her
parents tomorrow
Future -planned actions or intentions
(to be Now that they have moved to their new
house, they
going ____________________________(have) a party
_____________________________________

to) -evidence that something will definitely happen

in the near future
Ann ____________________ (have) a baby
-things we are sure about or we have already
decided to do in the near future
He ______________________________ (be)
promoted

(will+have+Ved/V3) (will+ have+been+Ving)

-actions which will be finished before a stated
future time
Future She __________________________________
Perfect (come back) by the end of July
(note: by or not….until/till are used in Future
Perfect. Until/till are normally used in negative
sentences
She ________________________________
-duration of an action up to a certain time in
the future
By the end of this year she
___________________________________
(work) here for two years
(finish) by 8 o’clock (not until/till)
She _____________________________
(not/finish) until 8 o’clock