Ways of Expressing the Future
Future Form Uses Grammatical form Example
WILL 1. Decisions made at the time of (+) S + WILL + bare infinitive + I see you are carrying some grocery
speaking (instant decisions) _____ bags. I will help you with them!
2. For predictions about the
future WITHOUT evidence I am carrying some grocery bags.
3. Promises Hey, will you help me with the
4. Threats (amenazas) (-) S + Will NOT/ Won’t + bare bags?
5. Request (I ask for something) infinitive + __________
and offerings (when I offer to My brother will be a great lawyer
do something) some day!
6. After verbs like: think, believe,
expect, be sure He promises me he won’t be calling
(?) Will + S + bare infinitive + you again.
____?
Do your homework, or you will not/
won’t go out tonight!
I have a meeting later.
Don’t worry, I will pick up the kids
from school.
I believe I will pass my exam next
week.
I am sure he will come to the
meeting.
BE GOING TO 1. Future plans (+): S + be going to + infinitive I am going to take an exam next
2. Predictions about the near +______ Wednesday.
future but WITH evidence or
BASED ON a present (-): S + be not going to + Look! The sky is black and there are
situation infinitive + _____ thunders and lightning. It is going to
rain cats and dogs!
(?): Be + S + going to +
infinitive ____? My children are playing near the
pool. Be careful, they are going to
fall into the water!
Are you going to the doctor today?
Yes, I have an appointment at 5.
FUTURE 1. An action that will be in (+) S + will be + verb -ing + I will be having my doctor’s
CONTINUOUS progress at a certain time in ____ appointment today at 5.
the near future
(-) S + will not be/ won’t be + I will be moving into my new
2. Future plans and verb – ing + ____ apartment tomorrow morning.
arrangements
(?): Will + S + be + verb -ing + I won’t be moving to my new
___? apartment tomorrow. The moving
guy had a problem with the truck.
Will you be moving to your new
apartment soon?
FUTURE 1. Something that Will be (+): S + will + have/has + past By this time next week, I will have
PERFECT finished or completed before participle (3rd column) + ____ finished reading this book.
SIMPLE
a specific time in the future
When my brother finished high
2. To talk about the length that (-): S + will not/ won’t + school, I will have finished my
an action will have lasted for have/has + past participle + career.
before a specific time in the ___
future Next year, I will have worked in this
company for 4 years.
(?): Will + S + have/has + past
participle + _____? Next month, I will have finished this
project. I have worked on it for 2
years.
