FUTURE TENSES

SIMPLE FUTURE (WILL)

1- INSTANT DECISIONS: Oh, I don’t have any cash. I’ll have to go to the bank.

2- PREDICTIONS: We will be able to fly without machines one day.

3- HOPES: I hope you will get that job.

4- FEARS: I’m afraid I won’t pass the cycle.

5- THREATS: If you don’t apologize, I’ll never talk to you.

6- OFFERS: Are you going home? I’ll give you a lift.

7- PROMISES: I’ll invite you to my wedding.

8- WARNINGS: If you don’t wear a mask, you’ll get infected.

9- REQUESTS: Will you make me a cup of coffee?

10- AFTER THESE VERBS: hope, think, believe, expect, imagine, etc.

11- AFTER THESE EXPRESSIONS: I’m sure, I’m afraid, etc.

12- WITH THE ADVERBS: probably, perhaps

I’ll probably visit you tonight.
Perhaps, you’ll forget my name.

13- ACTIONS WHICH WILL INEVITABLY HAPPEN: Tomorrow will be another day.

14- ACTIONS WHICH MAY (NOT) HAPPEN: I’ll buy a car someday.

* Shall we eat out tonight? (suggestion)

* Shall I call a taxi? (offer)

* -One of us got 100. - That’ll be James. He always gets the highest score. (future)
* Let’s talk to the teacher. His class will have finished by now. (future perfect)
 BE GOING TO
1- PLANS/INTENTIONS/AMBITIONS: I’m going to start a new business.

2- ACTIONS IN THE NEAR FUTURE: They’re going to watch TV tonight.

3- PREDICTIONS WITH EVIDENCE: Look! That child is going to fall off his
bike.
You are going to have a baby boy.

SIMPLE PRESENT
* My bus leaves in an hour/at 8 pm. (schedules/programs)
* My favorite TV show starts at 6 pm.

PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
* I’m having dinner with my girlfriend tonight.

FUTURE PROGRESSIVE
1- ACTIONS IN PROGRESS: We’ll be working together next week.

2- ACTIONS AS A RESULT OF A ROUTINE OR ARRANGEMENT:

I’ll be reading a book before going to bed.

3- ASKING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE’S PLANS:

Will you be driving past the airport?

4- HABITS AND REPEATED ACTIONS: In 50 years, robots will be working for us.

FUTURE PERFECT
- ACTIONS THAT WILL BE FINISHED BEFORE ANOTHER FUTURE ACTION:
By this time tomorrow, I’ll have bought your birthday present.

FUTURE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

By the time I go home, my friends will have been dancing for hours.
 TIME WORDS FOLLOWED BY WILL

Do not use WILL after: while, before, until, as soon as, by the time, whenever,
once, after, when
When I finish this task, I will go home.
TIME CLAUSE
I won’t go home until I finish this task.

Use of WILL with WHEN: When will you visit me?

Other cases: I don’t know if/whether I will visit you.

(If I visit you, I’ll bring a bottle of wine.)
I doubt if I will visit you.
I wonder if I will visit you.
I don’t know what I will do tonight.

OTHER WAYS OF USING THE FUTURE

BE TO (have to): The students are to come to class early.

BE ABOUT TO: The class is about to start.

BE ON THE VERGE OF: That woman is on the verge of collapsing.

BE DUE TO: The class is due to start at 10:30 am.

(be programmed to)
BE SURE TO: My brother is sure to come in a few minutes.

BE BOUND TO: My brother is bound to come in a few minutes.

BE CERTAIN TO: My brother is certain to come in a few minutes.

THE FUTURE IN THE PAST

Hey, you didn’t call me last night. Why not?

I was going to call you, but my mom got sick and I had to buy some medicine.
was about to
I was due to travel to Lima last week, but I put it off till next week.

I was on the verge of traveling to Lima, but my car broke down.