oug
h
we
ofte
Future Time n
talk
abo
The future is uncertain. We know the past. We know the present. We do not know
ut
the future. We can be 100% sure or certain about the past and the present. But we
can never be 100% certain about the future. In English there are several structures and tenses to talk about the future. It is usually the degree of "fut
ure
certainty about the future that decides our choice of structure or tense.
tens
In this lesson we look at four of the most common ways to talk about the future, followed by a quiz to check your understanding: es",
tech
Will nica
lly
One of the most common ways to talk about the future is with will, for example: I will call you tonight. We often call this the "future simple tense",
ther
but technically there are no future tenses in English. In this construction, the word will is a modal auxiliary verb.
e
Here are the three main ways that we use will to talk about the future. are
no
No plan futu
re
We use will when there is no prior plan or decision to do something before we speak. We make the decision at the time of speaking. Look at these tens
examples: es
• Hold on. I'll get a pen. in
Eng
• We will see what we can do to help you. lish
-
• Maybe we'll stay in and watch television tonight. only
In these examples, we had no firm plan before speaking. The decision was made at the time of speaking. diff
eren
We often use will with the verb think:
t
• I think I'll go to the gym tomorrow. way
s of
• I think I'll have a holiday next year. talki
• I don't think I'll buy that car. ng
abo
ut
Prediction the
We often use will to make a prediction about the future. Again, there is no firm plan. We are saying what we think will happen. Here are some futu
examples: re,
usin
• It will rain tomorrow. g
• People won't go to Jupiter before the 22nd century. spec
ial
• Who do you think will get the job? con
stru
Be ctio
ns,
The verb be is an exception with will. Even when we have a very firm plan, and we are not speaking spontaneously, we can use will with be. Look at
othe
these examples:
r
• I will be in London tomorrow. tens
es
• There will be 50 people at the party. or
• The meeting will be at 9.30 am. mod
al
verb
s.
Going to
Intention
We use the special going to construction when we have the intention to do something before we speak. We have already made a decision before
speaking. Look at these examples:
• I have won $1,000. I am going to buy a new TV.
Prediction
We often use going toto make a prediction about the future. Our prediction is based on evidence. We are saying what seems sure to happen. Here are
some examples:
• The sky is very black. It is going to snow.
We use the present continuous only when a plan exists before we speak. Look at these examples:
• Mary is taking her music exam next year.
• They can't play tennis with you tomorrow. They 're working.
3 I'm going to
1
0
My plane at 3:00 PM on
Sunday