Future Forms for English Learners

There are a number of future forms in English, just as there are different forms for the past and present. Lets take a look at examples of the four different forms: Simple Future, Future Continuous, Future Perfect, and Future Perfect Continuous used to speak in English about the future. Peter will be at work tomorrow. - Future SimpleShes going to travel to Hong Kong next month.- Future with Going toJennifer will have finished the report by ten tomorrow. - Future PerfectDoug will be enjoying a good book at this time next week.- Future ContinuousI will have been working for six hours by the time I finish this. - Future Perfect Continuous The following article takes a look at each of these forms, as well as some variations in future tense usage with clear examples to help explain the use of each. Listed below are examples, uses, and formation of Future Forms. Uses of the Future With Will The future with will is used for a number of situations: 1. Used for Predictions It will snow tomorrow.She wont win the election. 2. Used for Scheduled Events The concert will begin at 8 oclock.When will the train leave? Used for scheduled events 3. Used for Promises Will you marry me?Ill help you with your homework after class 4. Used for Offers Ill make you a sandwich.Theyll help you if you want. 5.  Used  in Combination with Time Clauses  (as soon as, when, before, after) He will telephone as soon as he arrives.Will you visit me when you come next week? Uses of the Future With Going To 1. Used for Plans   The future with going to is used to express planned events or intentions. These events or intentions are decided on  before  the moment of speaking. Frank is going to study Medicine.Where are they going to stay when they come?She isnt going to buy the new house afterall. Note: Going to or -ing are often both correct for planed events. Going to should be used for distant future intentions (example: Hes going to study Law) 2. Used for Future Predictions Based on Physical Evidence. Oh no! Look at those clouds. Its going to rain.Be careful! Youre going to drop those dishes! Use of Future Continuous Use the future continuous to speak about what will be happening at a specific time in the future. She will be sleeping at 11:30.Tom will be having a good time this time tomorrow. Use of Future Perfect Use the future perfect to speak about what will have been finished by a time in the future. I will have finished the book by tomorrow.Angela will have fond a new job by the end of the year. Use of the Future Perfect Continuous Use the future perfect continuous to speak about how long something will have been happening up to a point of time in the future. They will have been studying for five hours by six oclock.Mary will have been playing golf for five hours by the time she finishes. Uses of Present Continuous for the Future Its also possible to use the present continuous for planned or personally scheduled events. Usually used with principle verbs such as: come, go, begin, start, finish, have, etc. Note: Going to or -ing are often both correct for planned events. Going to should be used for distant future intentions (example: Hes going to study Law) Hes coming tomorrow afternoon.What are we having for dinner?Im not seeing the doctor until Friday. Common future time expressions include: next (week, month, year), tomorrow, in Xs time (amount of time, i.e. two weeks time), in year, time clauses (when, as soon as, before, after) simple present (example: I will telephone as soon as I arrive) soon, later.