Future

Tense
FUTURE TENSES
 Future tenses
• There are four “future tenses” in
English:
o Future simple
o Future continuous
o Future perfect simple
o Future perfect continuous
 Future tenses
• But there are other verb forms and
tenses we use to talk about the future:
o Be going to
o Present simple
o Present continuous
o Might/ May
 Future simple: uses
I think he’ll fail the exam.

Why are we using the future simple here?

 Future simple: uses

FUTURE PREDICTIONS WITHOUT EVIDENCE

 Future simple: uses
I’ll go to bed now.
I’ll pay you back tomorrow.
I’ll give you a hand with the washing-up.

Why are we using the future simple here?

 Future simple: uses
FUTURE INTENTION/DECISION MADE AT
THE MOMENT OF SPEAKING.
So it’s used with:
- promises: I’ll pay you back tomorrow.
- offers: I’ll give you a hand with the washing-up.
Shall I help you?
- suggestions: Shall we go to the cinema tonight?
- requests: Will you marry me?
- refusals: I won’t tell you anything.
 Future simple: uses

The sun will rise at 6.30 tomorrow.

Christmas day will fall on Tuesday this year.

Why are we using the future simple here?

 Future simple: uses
FUTURE FACTS

The present simple is also possible:

The sun rises at 6.30 tomorrow.
Christmas day falls on Tuesday this year.
 Future simple: uses

If I pass this exam, I’ll have a party.

Why are we using the future simple here?

Future simple: uses
IN FIRST CONDITIONAL CLAUSES
(in the main clause)
 Future continuous: uses

Come round in the morning. I’ll be

painting the kitchen.

Why are we using the future continuous

here?
 Future continuous: uses

ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL BE IN PROGRESS

IN THE FUTURE
 Future continuous: uses

Come round whenever you like. I’ll be

looking after the kids all day.

Why are we using the future continuous

here?
 Future continuous: uses

UNPLANNED ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL BE IN

PROGRESS IN THE FUTURE

(the activity is normally done so it’s

predicted to be happening in the future)
 Future tenses
• There are other verb forms and tenses
we use to talk about the future:
o Be going to
o Present simple
o Present continuous
o Might/ May
 Be going to: uses

Sandra’s going to have another baby in

June.
Look at the sky. It’s going to rain.

Why are we using the be going to form

here?
 Be going to: uses

FUTURE PREDICTIONS WITH EVIDENCE

 Be going to: uses

A: What are you going to do when you

finish school?
B: I’m going to work for my father.

Why are we using the be going to form

here?
Be going to: uses

PREMEDITATED FUTURE
INTENTION/DECISION
 Present simple: uses

The plane leaves at 5.00.

The sun rises at 5.20 tomorrow.

Why are we using the present simple

here?
Present simple: uses

IN FUTURE FIXED EVENTS ON A

TIMETABLE, CALENDAR, ETC.
 Present simple: uses

When you arrive, phone me.

If I pass this exam, I’ll have a party.

Why are we using the present simple

here?
 Present simple: uses
TO REFER TO FUTURE TIME:

- IN TIME CLAUSES
- IN FIRST CONDITIONALS
 Present continuous: uses

I’m meeting Bill at 4.30.

We’re staying in a small hotel for a week.

Why are we using the present continuous

here?
Present continuous: uses

FUTURE PERSONAL PLANS

(=be going to for premeditated
intentions)
 MAY/ MIGHT: uses

Take your umbrella. It may/might rain.

Why are we using may/might here?

MAY/ MIGHT: uses

FUTURE POSSIBILITY
A picture is worth a thousand words
Thanks!
Does anyone have any questions?

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