Future Tenses

Future tenses

There are several different ways in English that you can talk about the future. This page is an introduction to the most important ones:

- Predictions, simple statements of fact or spontaneous decision

- Plans, arrangements or Intentions

- Scheduled events

Predictions, simple statements of fact or spontaneous decision

The auxiliary verb will is used in making predictions or simple statements of fact about the future.

The sun will rise at 6.30 tomorrow.

Lunch break today will be 10 minutes longer than usual.

In the year 2050 all students will have their own computers in school.

If you help me, I will help you.

Do you think she will come soon?

You won't pass your exams if you don't start working harder.

I know my parents won't let me go to the party.

Will it snow for Christmas?

I know she's sick, but will she be back in school tomorrow?

Teacher: It’s hot here. Student: I will open the windows, teacher!

Plans, arrangements or Intentions

Future with going to or Present Continuous are used in talking about plans, arrangements or Intentions.

An intention is a plan for the future that you have already thought about.

An arrangement is a plan for the future that you have already thought about and discussed with someone else.

We're going to buy a new car next month. (We are buying a new car next month)

I'm going to work in a bank when I leave school. (I'm working in a bank when I leave school.)

In the new year I'm going to stop eating so much junk. (In the new year I'm stopping eating so much junk.)

I'm not going to watch TV anymore. (I'm not watching TV anymore.)

Are you going to play basketball after school? (Are you playing basketball after school?)

Scheduled events

The present simple tense is usually used to refer to future events that are scheduled (and out of our control).

Hurry up! The train departs in 10 minutes.

I leave Frankfurt at 5 o'clock in the morning and arrive in New York

at midnight the next day.

She has an appointment with the headmaster after school today.

There's no need to hurry. The train doesn't leave for another 30 minutes.

When does the meeting begin?

I have a doctor's appointment at 8 o'clock on Monday.