Explanation of future forms in English

1. FUTURE
TENSES

2. Future tenses
 There are four future tenses in English:
o Future simple
o Future continuous
o Future perfect simple
o Future perfect continuous

3. Future simple: uses
I think he’ll fail the exam.
Why are we using the future simple here?

4. Future simple: uses
FUTURE PREDICTIONS WITH NO
EVIDENCE

5. 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?

6. 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.

7. 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?

8. Future simple: uses
FUTURE FACTS

9. Future simple: uses
If I pass this exam, I’ll have a party.
Why are we using the future simple here?

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

11. Future continuous: uses
Come round in the morning. I’ll be painting the
kitchen.
Why are we using the future continuous here?

12. Future continuous: uses
ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL BE IN PROGRESS
IN THE FUTURE

13. Future continuous: uses
I’ll be looking after the kids all day.
Why are we using the future continuous here?

14. 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)

15. Future perfect simple: uses
By next Christmas we’ll have been here for 8
years.
The builders will have finished the roof by
Saturday.
Why are we using the future perfect here?

16. Future perfect simple: use
ACTIVITIES THAT WILL HAVE (NOT)
FINISHED BEFORE A FUTURE TIME

17. Future perfect continuous: use
By the end of next month I’ll have been living
here for ten years.
Why are we using the future perfect continuous
here?

18. Future perfect continuous:use
ACTIVITIES THAT WILL HAVE (NOT)
FINISHED BEFORE A FUTURE TIME
(= future perfect, but there is emphasis on how
long the activity will have been going on)
By the end of next month I’ll have been living
here for ten years.

19. 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

20. 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?

21. Be going to: uses
FUTURE PREDICTIONS WITH EVIDENCE

22. 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?

23. Be going to: uses
PREMEDITATED FUTURE
INTENTION/DECISION

24. Present simple: uses
The plane leaves at 5.00.
The sun rises at 5.20 tomorrow.
Why are we using the present simple here?

25. Present simple: uses
IN FUTURE FIXED EVENTS ON A
TIMETABLE, CALENDAR, ETC.

26. 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?

27. Present simple: uses
TO REFER TO FUTURE TIME:
- In time clauses
- In first conditionals

28. 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?

29. Present continuous: uses
FUTURE PERSONAL PLANS
(=be going to for premeditated plans and
intentions)

30. MAY/ MIGHT: uses
Take your umbrella. It may/might rain.
Why are we using may/might here?

31. MAY/ MIGHT: uses
FUTURE POSSIBILITY

32. Future tenses
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