This document discusses different ways to talk about the future in English using verb tenses. It explains the future simple tense using "will" for decisions, predictions, promises and other intentions. It describes using "be going to" for plans, intentions and predictions based on evidence. The future continuous is explained as emphasizing actions that will be in progress at a future time. The future perfect simple and continuous are covered as well, along with time clauses and expressions used with different future tenses.

1. FUTURE TENSES
1. FUTURE SIMPLE
2. BE GOING TO
3. FUTURE CONTINUOUS
4. FUTURE PERFECT SIMPLE AND CONTINUOUS
5. TIME CLAUSES WITH FUTURE REFERENCE

2. 1. FUTURE SIMPLE
WE USE THE FUTURE SIMPLE (will + infinitive) FOR:
- decisions made at the moment of speaking.
e.g.: This room's a mess, I'll tidy it later.
- predictions about the future, based on what we think,
believe or imagine.
e.g.: She will probably accept the job offer.
- promises, threats, warnings, requests, hopes and offers.
e.g.: Will you lend me some money till next weekend?
- actions, events, situations which will definitely happen in
the future and which we can't control.
e.g.: Our oldes son will be thirty next May.

3. 2. BE GOING TO
WE USE BE GOING TO:
- for plans, intentions or ambitions for the future.
e.g.: He's going to be a veterinarian when he graduates.
- actions we have already decided to do in the near future.
e.g.: We are going to buy that antique mirror we saw.
- predictions based on what we can see or what we know,
especially when there is evidence that something will happen.
e.g.: He feels very guilty; he's going to tell her the truth.
TIME EXPRESSIONS for WILL and BE GOING TO:
tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, tonight, soon,
next week / month / year / summer, in a week / month, etc.

4. 3. FUTURE CONTINUOUS
WE USE THE FUTURE CONTINUOUS (will + be + verb -ing):
- actions which will be in progress at a stated future time.
e.g.: I am going to Cuba. This time next week, I'll be travelling
to Havanna.
- actions which will definitely happen in the future as the
result of a routine or arrangement.
e.g.: I will be driving to the countryside at the weekend.
- when we ask politely about someone's plans / intentions
for the near future.
e.g.: Will you be needing an extra pillow, madam?

5. 4. FUTURE PERFECT SIMPLE AND
CONTINUOUS
WE USE THE FUTURE PERFECT SIMPLE (will have + participle):
- for actions that will have finished before a stated time in
the future.
e.g.: I will have prepared supper by 7.00 pm.
TIME EXPRESSIONS for the FUTURE PERFECT:
Before, by, by then, by the time, until / till (only in the negative)
WE USE THE FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS (will have been +
-ing):
- to emphasise the duration of an action up to a certain time
in the future. The future perfect continuous is used with: by...
for
e.g.: By the end of September, she will have been living in Tunisia
for three years.

6. 5. TIME CLAUSES WITH FUTURE
REFERENCE
We use the present simple or present perfect, but NOT future forms,
with words and expressions such as while, before, after, until / till, as, when,
whenever, once, as soon as, as long as, by the time, etc. to introduce time
clauses.
e.g.: By the time we get to the surprise party, Ella will have arrived.
(not: … in case you will need it)
We use future forms with:
- when when it is used as a question word.
e.g.: When will the daffodils be blooming?
- if / whether after expressions which show uncertainty or ignorance,
such as I don't know, I doubt, I wonder, I'm not sure, etc.
e.g.: I doubt whether he will get here on time.

7. 5. TIME CLAUSES WITH FUTURE
REFERENCE
We use the present simple or present perfect, but NOT future forms,
with words and expressions such as while, before, after, until / till, as, when,
whenever, once, as soon as, as long as, by the time, etc. to introduce time
clauses.
e.g.: By the time we get to the surprise party, Ella will have arrived.
(not: … in case you will need it)
We use future forms with:
- when when it is used as a question word.
e.g.: When will the daffodils be blooming?
- if / whether after expressions which show uncertainty or ignorance,
such as I don't know, I doubt, I wonder, I'm not sure, etc.
e.g.: I doubt whether he will get here on time.