Future Tense
Will Be Going To
Uses: Uses:
1.It typically expresses predictions 1.It commonly
about the future. expresses predictions about the
Example: future. Example:
Anna will come tomorrow Tom is not going to come.
around 5:00.
2.To express a prior plan. (a plan
2.To express willingness. (a made before the moment of
decision the speaker makes at the speaking)
moment of speaking) Example:
Example: --Why did you buy this paint?
--The phone is ringing. --I’m going to paint my
--I’ll get it bedroom tomorrow.
Future in Time Clauses
1. Use when, before, after, as soon as, until, while → Time Clause.
When
Before
After + Subject + Verb= a time clause
As soon as
Until
While
2.When the meaning of the time clause is future, the Simple Present is
used.
Examples:
Bob will come soon. When Bob comes, we will see him.
Linda is going to leave soon. Before she lives, she is going to finish
her work.
I will get home at 5:30. After I get home, I will eat dinner.
The taxi will arrive soon. As soon as it arrives, we will be able to
leave for the airport.
They are going to come soon. I will wait here until they come.
Future in Time Clauses
3. The present progressive is used in a time clause to express an activity
that will be in progress in the future.
Example:
While I am traveling in Europe next year, I’m going to save money
by staying in youth hostels.
Present Progressive and Simple Present to Express Future Time
1. The present progressive→ may be used →to express future time
→when→ the idea of the sentence concerns→ a planned event or
definite intention.
Example:
* My husband has an appointment with a doctor. He is seeing Dr. White
next Monday.
* --What are you going to do this afternoon?
--After lunch, I am meeting a friend of mine. We are going shopping.
Would you like to come along?
* Sara has already made her plans. She is leaving at noon tomorrow.
**Future meaning→ indicated→ future time words or by the context.
Present Progressive and Simple Present to Express Future Time
2. The simple present → can be used →to express future time →
a sentence concerning→ events that are on a definite
schedule or timetable.
*These sentences usually contain future words
**Only a few verbs are used in this way: open, close, begin, end, start,
finish, arrive, leave, come, go, return, have, to be, give, fly, speak, etc.
(verbs that have to do with scheduling)
Example:
*The museum opens at 10:00 tomorrow morning.
*Classes begin next week.
*Stuart’s plane arrives at 6:05 p.m. next Monday.
Future Progressive
1.It expresses an activity that will be in progress at a time in the future
Example:
*I will begin to study at 7:00. You will come at 8:00. I will be studying
when you come. (Will + be + verb-ing)
*Don’t call me at 9:00 because I won’t be home. I am going to be
studying at the library. (Be going to + be + verb-ing)
2.If the future event will occur at an indefinite time in the future,
sometimes, there’s little or no difference between the future progressive
and the simple future.
Example:
*Don’t worry. She will be coming soon.
*Don’t worry. She will come soon.
