This document discusses various uses of future tenses in English. It explains that there are several ways to talk about the future in English, including using will, going to, the present continuous, the present simple, the future perfect, and the future continuous. It provides examples of when each future tense is used, such as using will for predictions, promises, requests, and spontaneous decisions, and using the future continuous to talk about something that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. The document contrasts the uses of will and the present simple, and provides exercises to practice using will, be going to, and the present continuous to talk about the future. It also provides examples of when to use the future continuous versus the

1. Future Tenses
Year 2019-20

2. USES OF THE FUTURE
• Future events that are
dependent on other
events
• Arrangements
• Completed actions in
the future
• Schedules
• Decisions on the spot
• Something in progress
in the future
• Will
• Present continuous
• Present simple
• Future perfect
• Will
• Future continuous
How many tenses does English have?

3. Will & Going to
• Predictions - both • Plans – Going to
Be going to
I’m going to Paris this summer
Will – You’ll find love soon
Going to – predictions for something
happening now.
It’s very hot now.
It is not going to be warm enough this
afternoon 3
• Something we
consider cannot be
avoided
It is going to rain soon

4. WILL – Spontaneous Decisions,
Promises & Requests
• I’ll be there as soon as I
can. – Promise
• A -I’m starving.
• B - I’ll get a sandwich
spontaneous decision
• Will you help us make a
difference? – request
4

5. Future continuous
• What will be in progress in five years time?
I will be lighting cigars with one hundred dollar bills.
FORM: WILL + BE + GERUND
Talk about
something in
progress at
an specific
future time in
the future.
And you, what will you be doing in five years time?
CONTINUOUS
Something
• in progress
• Specific
• Planned
5

6. Future perfect
• By the time we finish school…
We will have become friends for life.
Use: Express
something that
will be completed
by a specific time
in the future.
It is related to
the present,
like all perfect
tenses
BY
What will have happened to you by 2030?
• By 2030, Nuria will have retired and will be enjoying her grandchildren
6

7. Listening extra questions
• What jobs did Madhav do when he was
younger?
• What jobs is he going to do in the future?
• Who made Lydia believe she could make a
difference?
• What is her job now?
• What does Amit find sad of his work?
Babysitting and watching cars
Wild
animal
vet
Barack Obama
City gardener
He thinks the Everest is the most beautiful place on earth
7

8. CONTRAST WILL / PRESENT SIMPLE
Present simple
• Use for an event that always happens at a certain time,
or is part of a timetable
• The conference begins on Tuesday at 10.00
Will
• To talk about the future
• I will be 20 in 2020
Present simple following time words
(After / as / as soon as / before / by the time / untill / when)
• By the time we reach the station, it will be too late
Macmillan Page 43 – Ex 6

9. will, be going to or present continuous ?
1. I ______ an evironmental scientist one day. (be)
2. It _____________ . Look at the bright blue sky. (not rain)
3. Have you chosen? “I think I ___________ the pasta. (have)
4. We ______________ at six o’clock this afternoon. (meet)
5. I need to talk. _____ you _____ for a walk with me later? (go)
6. He ______ this evening! He’s too lazy. (not come)
7. We __________ anyone. Honestly! (not tell)
Will be
is not going to rain
will have
are meeting
Will go
Isn’t coming
Won’t tell

10. FUTURE CONTINOUS OR FUTURE
PERFECT?
1. This time next week, Mark ______________ from London to Paris for
charity. (cycle)
2. I ___________ all these irregular verbs by the end of the week.
(learn)
3. By this time tomorrow, we _______________ our exams. (finish)
4. This time next week, I __________ on the beach in Costa Rica. (lie)
5. By the time they get home, they ___________ six different contries.
(visit)
Will be cycling
Will have learned
‘ll have finished
Will be lying
Will have visited

11. FUTURE CONTINOUS OR FUTURE
PERFECT?
1. This time next week, Mark will be cycling from London to Paris for
charity.
2. I will have learned /learnt all these irregular verbs by the end of
the week.
3. By this time tomorrow, we will have finsihed our exams.
4. This time next week, I will be lying on the beach in Costa Rica.
5. By the time they get home, they will have visited six different
contries.