Talking about the future

Level: intermediate

When we know about the future, we normally use the present tense.

1. We use the present simple for something scheduled:

We have a lesson next Monday.
The train arrives at 6.30 in the morning.
The holidays start next week.
It's my birthday tomorrow.

2. We can use the present continuous for plans or arrangements:

I'm playing football tomorrow.
They are coming to see us tomorrow.
We're having a party at Christmas.

3. We use will:

  • when we express beliefs about the future:

It will be a nice day tomorrow.
I think Brazil will win the World Cup.
I'm sure you will enjoy the film.

  • to mean want to or be willing to:

I hope you will come to my party.
George says he will help us.

  • to make offers and promises :

I'll see you tomorrow.
We'll send you an email.

  • to talk about offers and promises:

Tim will be at the meeting.
Mary will help with the cooking.

4. We use be going to:

  • to talk about plans or intentions:

I'm going to drive to work today.
They are going to move to Manchester.

  • to make predictions based on evidence we can see:

Be careful! You are going to fall(= I can see that you might fall.)
Look at those black clouds. I think it's going to rain(= I can see that it will rain.)

5. We use will be with an -ing form for something happening before and after a specific time in the future:

I'll be working at eight o'clock. Can you come later?
They'll be waiting for you when you arrive.

6. We can use will be with an -ing form instead of the present continuous or be going to when we are talking about plans, arrangements and intentions:

They'll be coming to see us next week.
I'll be driving to work tomorrow.

7. We often use verbs like would like, plan, want, mean, hope, expect to talk about the future:

What are you going to do next year? I'd like to go to university.
We plan to go to France for our holidays.
George wants to buy a new car.

8. We use modals may, might and could when we are not sure about the future:

I might stay at home tonight or I might go to the cinema.
We could see Mary at the meeting. She sometimes goes.

9. We can use should if we think there's a good chance of something happening:

We should be home in time for tea.
The game should be over by eight o'clock.

Talking about the future 1

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Talking about the future 2

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The future in time clauses and if-clauses

In time clauses with words like when, after, until we often use present tense forms to talk about the future:

I'll come home when I finish work.
You must wait here until your father comes.
They are coming after they have had dinner.

In clauses with if we often use present tense forms to talk about the future:

We won't be able to go out if it is raining.
If Barcelona lose tomorrow, they will be champions.

 

Be careful!
We do not normally use will in time clauses and if-clauses:

I'll come home when I finish work. (NOT will finish work)
We won’t be able to go out if it rains(NOT will rain)

but we can use will if it means want to or be willing to:

I will be very happy if you will come to my party.
We should finish the job early if George will help us.

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Profile picture for user Kirk Moore

Submitted by Kirk Moore on Thu, 27/09/2018 - 09:34

In reply to by Mohsen.k77

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Hello Mohsen.k77,

Both of these sentences are correct and there is no real difference in meaning here. In some contexts, where the speaker wants to speak about something she plans to do, for example, 'going to' would be the best form. But here the mother's age next month is a fact so there is no real difference.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by jitu_jaga on Sat, 15/09/2018 - 19:44

Permalink
Hello Peter and Kirk, We can say ' I am going to Poland tomorrow but Can we say ' I will go to Poland tomorrow Similarly while asking questions Can we ask ' will you go to Poland tomorrow? Or ' are you going to Poland tomorrow? Which one is correct?

Hello jitu_jaga,

All of those sentences are grammatically correct. Which one is appropriate will depend upon the context and the speaker's intention. Are we talking about a plan, a promise, an intention...?

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Profile picture for user Prap

Submitted by Prap on Tue, 21/08/2018 - 19:04

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Good Evening! If I turn the following sentence into an indirect speech, what does 'will' change to -- 'would' or 'should'? -- He said to me, 'Will you do it for me?' I am confused! Please, help me. Thank you in advance!

Hello Prap,

The change here is will > would:

He asked me if I would do it for him.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Lal on Fri, 27/07/2018 - 11:04

Permalink
Hello Sir Thank you very much for your answer to my question under present continuous 'basic' I also went through the web site you mentioned in your answer.But I would like to know this: that is 'I am buying another car soon../ I am going to buy another car soon.' If the above two sentences are grammatically correct and the second sentence is a plan or intention. Could I say the second one is not so strong? I might change my intention or plan/idea. The first one is strong may be I have paid an advance, too. I think there is a difference.For e.g. I am flying to London next Sunday./ I am going to fly to London next Sunday. (I might change my mind) I haven't bought the ticket yet. What I would like to know is the first one is fixed or arranged but the second is unsure. I am I right or wrong. Please let me know. Thank you. Regards Lal

Hello Lal,

Yes, that is generally correct. The present continuous suggests a more certain future which the speaker sees as already in progress, while the going to form suggests only intention.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by jiaojiaopeter on Tue, 29/05/2018 - 02:36

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hi,teacher can you tell me the reason why we need to choose the "starts"in "The concert ______ at eight, so I'll meet you outside at quarter to." ,i think that is not happen ,so why do not we choose "is starting =will start " ? thank you !
Profile picture for user Peter M.

Submitted by Peter M. on Tue, 29/05/2018 - 05:54

In reply to by jiaojiaopeter

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Hi jiaojiaopeter,

When an event is scheduled or timetabled, such as a train arriving, a lesson taking place or a concert starting, we use the present simple. The present continuous is used when a particular event is arranged between individuals rather than being officially scheduled.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Profile picture for user Prap

Submitted by Prap on Sun, 25/03/2018 - 14:01

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Good evening! The following sentences are a university notification. (Only the dates have been changed.) "Last date for the submission of migration certificate is 30th March, 2018. Candidates who will fail to submit the same on or before 30th March, 2018 will not be eligible for appearing in the examinations to be held in June, 2018." Now, I wanted to know if 'will' has been used correctly in the sub-clause of the 2nd sentence. I knew in integrated relative clauses like this we use the present simple or the present perfect as in "A prize will be given to everyone who gets the right answers". Thank you in advance.

Hello Prap,

The 'will' in 'who will fail' is not correct in standard British English. The other 'will' is correct, though.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team