2. • The Future is a complex tense in English. Much more complex
than in Spanish, because it not only expresses future events, but
it also includes feelings, opinions, plans…
• The Future may be expressed using the following:
1. The modal 'WILL'
2. The Presents (Simple and Continuous)
3. The 'Going to' construction
3. The Future Diagram
Present Simple Present Continuous
Going to…
Future Simple (WILL) Future Continuous (WILL be —ing)
Future Perfect (WILL have —ed) Future Perfect Continuous
(WILL have been —ing)
4. It is almost exclusively used for:
• Scheduled events
The film begins at 6:30.
The concert finishes after midnight.
I start my new job on Monday. (it's not my plan or decision)
• Timetables
The train leaves at 1:06 pm
The class starts at 7:30
What time do you finish work tomorrow?
Do NOT use WILL in these cases.
5. It is used for plans and appointments already
made
I'm playing tennis this afternoon
The children are leaving on Monday.
Tom and Bill are meeting tonight.
• It is necessary to use a future expression. Otherwise
we are dealing with the Present Continuous.
The children are leaving. (now)
6. It is used to express
• the intention of doing something in the future:
I'm going to move to London. (but it's not planned yet)
The neighbours are going to buy another car.
• a prediction (something that is clearly going to
happen):
Jillian is going to have a baby. (she is pregnant)
That car is going to crash. (it's driving dangerously fast)
It's going to rain. (it's –almost– certain)
7. It is used to express
• a decision taken at the time of speaking:
I wanted fish, but I'll have a steak. (at the restaurant)
(the phone rings) I'll answer it.
• something that could happen:
I think it'll rain. (although I'm not sure)
Mike thinks he'll win. (but he's not sure)
8. It is used to express something that will be
occurring at a certain future time (emphasizes
duration):
This time next week I'll be fishing in Barbados.
–What will you be doing in a year? –I'll be writing a new book.
9. It is used to express something that will have
happened at a definite future time:
Mary will have left by the time we get to the airport.
(When we get to the airport, she won't be there)
By this time next month we'll have sold everything!
(Everything will be sold in a month)
10. It is used to express an uninterrupted action that
started in the past and will not have finished at a
certain future time:
By the end of August we will have been working here for 25 years.
(So we started in August 25 years ago and are still working here.)
11. (A young man to a lady with both hands busy)
Shall I open the door for you, madam?
(The valet to a customer)
Shall I fetch your car, sir?
Shall I…?
• When somebody offers to help
12. Will you lend me another ten (pounds)?
It's really hot in here. Will you please open that window?
Will you…?
• asking for a favour
