EXPLANATION – Future Tenses

1. Simple future:
Formula: will + Verb
Usage: We use simple future tense (1) to make predictions, usually based on our opinions or our past
experience; (2) to talk about future events that we haven’t arranged yet; or (3) to talk bout something we
decide to do at the time of speaking.
Example:
* (1) I think it will be extremely hot here (2) We’ll probably stay in a motel there.
* (3) Tell me all about it and I will pass on the information to the rest of the team.
2. Future perfect:
Formula: will + have PP
Usage: we use future perfect tense to talk about a future event that will finish before a specified time in the
future, often with before, by + fixed time, or in + amount of time
Example:
* By the end of the year I will have given the same talk at 6 conferences!
* In a week time I’ll have written the report.
3. Future Continuous
Formula: will be + V-ing
Usage: we use the future continuous tense to describe or predict events or situations continuing at a
particular point in the future or over a period of time in the future
Example:
* I’ll be working on the report all next week.
4. Future perfect Continuous:
Formula: will + have been + V-ing
Usage: we use future perfect continuous tense to show how long an activity or situation has been in
progress before a specified time in the future. We usually mentioned the length of time
Example:
* By the end of the month, I’ll have been working here for 3 years.
5. Note: we do not use future tenses after conjunctions of time.
GRAMMAR EXERCISE
Choose the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence.
1. Oh, no! I’ve broken the vase. What (will I say/ am I going to say)?
2. By the time you arrive, I’ll (have been / be) working for 2 hours.
3. We will go out for dinner when he (gets / will get) in.
4. (I will be studying / I will have studied) at 9 tomorrow evening.
5. (We will have finished / We will finish) by 9 o'clock.
6. The fire has gone out! I (will go / go) and get some sticks.
7. The train (will leave / will have left) before we reach the station.
8. By the time we get to Chicago this evening, we (will be driving /
will have been driving) more than four hundred miles.
9. Frank just changed jobs again. If he keeps this up, he (will have
changed / will have been changing) jobs at least four or five times
by the end of the year.
10. Come over to my house around 9 o’clock. By then, I (will
complete / will have completed) my history essay and we can go
see a movie.
 Quick reaction with the formula
• I will do my assignments next week
• I will be doing my assignments in the next 2
weeks
• In 2 weeks time I will have done assignments
• I will have been doing my assignments for a
week before handing in them
QUICK REACTION PRACTICE
1. To work in teaching
Simple future: I will attend the university of Education next year.
Future continuous: I will be studying in the university in the next 4 years.
Future prefect: In 4 years time I will have finished the teacher training program.
Future perfect continuous: I will have been teaching for 2 years to gain some experience before
applying for a Post Graduated Certificate in Education course.
2. To work in media – major in Public Relationship in University next year – get relevant skills in the
first or second year – in 3 years time prepare a media CV – ring up newspaper editors to ask for
unpaid work experience for the first 3 months before looking for a decent job
3. To work as an accountant – attend the university of economics – try to get a good academic
record in all semesters – in 4 years time equip myself with good communication and team work skills
– work in private practice for a few years before moving to industry or other areas
4. To work in selling – choose to study marketing or business – improve communication skills and get
practical experience during the time at university – in 4 years time learn how to maintain relationships
with clients, negotiate prices – work part time for at least 2 years before graduation
QUICK REACTION PRACTICE

1. I will get married next 5 years

2. I will be looking for the love of my
life in the next 2 years
3. I will have bought a house in HCMC
before getting married
4. I will have been saving money for 1
year before my wedding
QUICK REACTION TEST: 5 MINUTES
Teacher: What (you/do) …will
… …you
……be…doing
… … … this semester?

Student : Well, that’s difficult to say but I hope that I (travel) …will
… be…… … … … … … round the
traveling

will…have
world. Before then hopefully I (save up) … … … … saved
… … …up… enough money for the

ticket. I plan to end up in Australia and when I (get) …get

… … there, I’ll get a job and earn

will
some money. So, in a year’s time I (probably / travel) … … probably
… … … …have
… … been
……… traveling
………

will
… for a few months already. I hope that I (visit) … … have
……… visited
… … … … quite a lot of

different countries by then too.

Teacher: What do you plan to do when you graduate?

Student: Well, my plan has changed a bit. I (do) … was

… …going
……… to …
do… … a journalism course, but I
will start
didn’t get accepted. So I’ve sorted something else out and I (start) … … … … … …

won’t
a hospitality tomorrow, actually. It’s for six months, so I (not finish) … … …have
… … finished
………

in time to go traveling next spring. However, as soon as I (find out) …find

… …out
… if I ‘ve

passed the course, I can apply for a job in a hotel in Australia.