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The future
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.
leave tonight.
I
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…
Q: Mark sentences in which present simple is replaceable by continuous: a) My bus leaves at six so I usually
have to get up at five. b) My plane leaves at six so I will have to get up at five.1
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.
Q: Fill in the gaps in: .... implies that I have decided to leave but .... could mean that this is part of a plan
not necessarily made by me. .... can also sound less formal than .... . with letters a or b indicating one of the
following: a) I’m leaving tonight. b) I leave tonight.2
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.
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Continuous can be used for a series of proposed future actions but no for habitual action. Correct answer: b
The name of the group singing the Mamma Mia song
Q: Fill in the gaps in: AGENT: How do you want to go to Rome, sir? JIM (MAKING UP HIS MIND): The trains
are too slow. I ......................................... [FLY]. JIM (LATER TO FRIEND): I .................................. [FLY] to
Rome next week.3
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.
Q:Which is more likely: a) I’m going to come b) I’m coming.4
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 propose to built a new motorway to the west. (more
precise)
Q: Which refers to more immediate future: a) I will play you a Bach fugue b) I’m going to play you a Bach
fugue.5
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.
Q: He won’t resign means: a) He refuses to resign. B)
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I don’t expect that he will resign.6
will+inf used at the moment of decision, answers: ’ll fly, am flying/am going to fly.
For stylistyc reasons we avoid go and come after be going to, correct answer is: b
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The secondo one
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ab
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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.
Q: Fill in the gaps with appropriate tense form of the verb: a) I’ve bought some bricks and ...............
(build) it myself. b) I ............... (climb) that mountain one day c) I ............... (not tell) you my age. d)
There’s somebody at the hall door. I ............... (open) it. 7
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.
4.3.5.Can express invitation, request or command:
work in this office.
Birds will build nests.
Will you help me to lift the piano?
You will
Q: For invitations will you have and would you like are interchangeable. You cannot refuse it using
a) I won’t have anything b) I wouldn’t like anything
c) I don’t want anything8
4.3.6.In sentences containing clauses of condition, time and sometimes 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.
Q: I ... a pound of peas, please. a) ‘d like
b) ‘ll have9
Q: With time clauses like He ... be a dentist when he grows up. you could use the following: a) is going to
b) will be
c) shall be10
5. 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.
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For clearly premeditated intentions be going to has to be used (I’ve bought some bricks and I’m going to build it myself),
for clearly unpremeditated intentions will is used (- Somebody’s at the door. - I’ll go and open it.) For intentions without
clear premeditation either be going to or will may be used. The answer: a. going to build b. going to/will climb c. won’t
tell/am not going to tell d. will open
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b
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ab
10
abc
5.2.3.To express future without intention(in the ordinary course of events): I will be helping Mary
tomorrow. I’ll be seeing Tom tomorrow/next year/some time. You will be working here. (only a
statement)
Q: To express future habitual actions which we assume will take place it is possible to use a) Future simple
e.g. Birds will build nests. b) Future continuous e.g. Birds will be building nests.11
6. 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)
7. 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 a time expressions beginning with “by”: By the end of this year he’ll have been acting for
thirty years
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.
8.
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 these flowers before 10. Three tablets to be
taken twice a day.
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
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ab
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.
Q: I was going to see him. implies that a) the meeting did place
don’t know12
b) the meeting didn’t take place
c) we
Q: I was to have seen him. implies that the meeting did place: a) the meeting didn’t take place b) we don’t
know13
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Future in the past, ab XOR c
b