Download Past and perfect tenses

The future
TM 180-194; A 178-186
1. THE SIMPLE PRESENT used for the future
1.1. More impersonal than the continuous: I leave tonight. (could mean that this is part of a plan not
necessarily made by me)
1.2. Sound more formal than the continuous: Our new branch opens next week.
1.3. Usage
1.3.1.With a time expression for a definite future arrangement: The boys start school on Monday. I
leave tonight.
1.3.2.When speaking of a series of proposed future actions, like plans for a journey: We leave at six,
arrive in Dublin at ten and taking the plane on…
1.3.3.To refers to future time in future time clauses: When we get there, we’ll have dinner.
1.3.4.To describe fixed events and calendar references and timetables: Christmas is on a Tuesday next
week. The concert begins at 7.30.
2. THE PRESENT CONTINOUS as a future form
2.1. The time must be or must have been mentioned, otherwise there may be confusion between present
and future
2.2. Uses of the present continuous tense:
2.2.1.To express a definite arrangement in the near future: I’m taking an exam in October. (I have
entered for it). I’m going home tonight. (I’ve made some arrangements)
2.2.2.Decision or plan without any definite arrangement: I’m going home tonight. (I haven’t made any
arrangements yet)
2.2.3.With verbs of movement from one place to another, e.g. arrive, come, drive, fly, start, go
leave, travel, verbs indicating position, e.g. stay, remain, and the verbs: do, have can express a
decision or plan without any definite arrangement.
2.2.4.The above methods cannot be used with verbs usually not used in continuous tenses (verbs of
senses, feelings, mental activity, possession) with the exception of see when used for deliberate
action; when means ‘meet by appointment’: Mommy is seeing me off on my first day at the
university.
2.2.5.To be (when it forms part of a passive verb): Our new piano is being delivered this afternoon.
3. BE GOING TO
3.1. Form: the present continuous tense of the verb to go + the full infinitive: She is going to buy a bicycle.
3.2. Used for intention (expresses the subject’s premeditated intention; the idea that some preparation
has already been done):
3.2.1.For the near future with a time expression: I’m going to meet a Tom at the station at six.
3.2.2.For the immediate or near future without a time expression: He is going to lend me a bicycle.
3.2.3.Used with time clauses to emphasize the subject’s intention: He is going to be (=he will be,
future simple more frequent here though) a dentist when he grows up.
3.2.4.Verbs like intend to, plan to, propose to rather than going to can be used in order to precise
about intentions and plans: They are going to (vague) / propose (more precise) to built a new
motorway to the west.
3.3. Used for prediction
3.3.1.Express the speaker’s feeling of certainty (the time is usually not mentioned): It’s going to rain.
3.3.2.Implies that there are signs that something will happen; used about the immediate future.
3.3.3.After such verbs as: be sure, be afraid, believe, think: How pale that girl is! I am sure she is going
to faint.
3.3.4.In place of the present progressive: I’m having dinner with Janet tomorrow evening. I’m going to
have dinner with Janet tomorrow evening.
4. THE FUTURE SIMPLE
4.1. Form: will/shall + infinitive
4.2. Shall and will: will is used with all persons, shall can be used as an alternative with I and we in pure
future reference: Let’s go, shall we? What shall I do with your mail?
4.3. Uses of the future simple tense:
4.3.1.For prediction (to say what we think will happen): It will rain tomorrow. I don’t know if I shall see
you next week.
5.
6.
7.
8.
4.3.2.To express intention at the moment of speaking: I’ll have a steak, please. The phone is ringing. I’ll
answer it.
4.3.3.To express the speaker’s opinions, assumptions, speculations about the future: (I’m sure) he’ll
come.
(I suppose) they’ll sell the house.
Perhaps he’ll change his mind.
4.3.4.For future habitual actions:
Spring will come again.
Birds will build nests.
4.3.5.Can express invitation, request or command: Will you help me to lift the piano? You will
work in this office.
4.3.6.In sentences containing clauses of condition, time and purpose: If I drop this glass it will break.
4.3.7.In formal style for scheduled events (particularly in the written language): The wedding will take
place at St Andrew’s on May 25th.
4.3.8.Verbs not normally used in the continuous tense (auxiliary verbs, verbs of the senses, of
emotion, thinking, possessing etc.): He’ll be here at eight. She’ll wonder where you are.
4.3.9.In newspapers and news broadcasts (for formal announcements and weather forecast):
(Newspaper) The president will open the new heliport tomorrow. But the same statement would
normally be expressed: The president is going to/is opening the new heliport tomorrow.
THE FUTURE CONTINOUS
5.1. Form: will/shall + be + the –ing form: I will/shall be working. They will not (won’t) be working. Shall we
be working?
5.2. Uses of the future perfect:
5.2.1.Actions in progress in the (immediate or distant) future: Hurry up! The guests will be arriving at
any minute! A space vehicle will be circling Jupiter in five year’s time. By this time tomorrow, I’ll
be lying on the beach.
5.2.2.Arrangements and plans (refer to planned events, particularly in connection with travel): We’ll
be spending the winter in Australia.
5.2.3.To express future without intention (ordinary course of events): I will be helping her tomorrow.
I’ll be seeing Tom tomorrow/next year/some time. You will be working here. (only a statement)
THE FUTURE PERFECT
6.1. Form: will/shall + perfect infinitive for first persons, will + perfect infinitive for other persons
6.2. Uses:
6.2.1.For an action which at given future time will be in the past, or will just have finished- “the past as
seen from the future”: We’d better wait till 30 January. You will have had your exam by then, so
you’ll be able to enjoy yourselves.
6.2.2.With a time expressions beginning with by e.g. by then, by that time and “not…till/until + TIME”
6.2.3.Often after verbs like: believe, expect, hope, suppose: I expect you will have changed your mind
by tomorrow.
6.2.4.To express an assumption on the part of the speaker: You won’t have heard the news, of course.
(I assume that you have not heard)
THE FUTURE PERFECT CONTINOUS
7.1. Form: will (shall for the first persons) have been + the –ing form
7.2. Uses:
7.2.1.With time expressions beginning with “by”: By the end of this year he’ll have been acting for 30y.
7.2.2.Can be used instead of the Future Perfect Simple when:
7.2.2.1.
the action is continuous: By the end of the month he will have been
living/working/studying here for ten years.
7.2.2.2.
the action is expressed as a continuous action: By the end of the month he will have
been training horses/climbing mountains for twenty years.
OTHER FORMS OF EXPRESSING FUTURE
8.1. BE TO
8.1.1.formal arrangements/public duties: OPEC representatives are to meet in Geneva on Tuesday.
8.1.2.formal appointments/instructions: You’re to deliver it before 10. Three tablets to be taken daily.
8.1.3.prohibitions/public notices: You’re not to tell him anything about our plans.
8.2. BE ABOUT TO/ BE ON THE POINT OF
8.2.1.to refer to the immediate future/next moment: Look! The race is about to start.
8.2.2.on the point of conveys greater immediacy: Look! They’re on the point of starting!
8.3. BE DUE TO
8.3.1.refers to scheduled times: The play is due to start in five minutes.