Expressing the future

EXPRESSING THE FUTURE

There are many ways to talk about the future in English. It is important to remember that in many cases, there is more than one way to say the same thing! Here are some basic rules to follow…

PERSONAL PLANS / ARRANGEMENTS

If you have already planned or decided to do something, it is normal to use the PRESENT CONTINUOUS.

I'm seeing a film tomorrow night.

What are you doing later tonight?

GOING TO can also be used to talk about the future. Normally, going to is used when we have decided to do something, but haven't said or decided exactly when.

am going to go on holiday sometime this summer.

am going to run a marathon before I die!

He said he's going to get a job soon.

FIXED TIMES IN THE FUTURE

To talk about things that are scheduled or arranged in advance, but that are not personal plans, we normally use the PRESENT SIMPLE.

The film starts at 8:30.

My plane leaves at 1:45.

The football match begins at noon.

UNPLANNED FUTURE ACTIONS

When we talk about doing something in the near future that we have not already planned, we normally use WILL.

"The doorbell is ringing!" – "Ok, I will answer it."

"I dropped my bag." – "Don't worry, I will help you."

"Stop making that noise or I will hit you!"

As you can see from the examples above, WILL is used to express INTENTIONS and ATTITUDES, as well as in OFFERS, REQUESTS and PROMISES…

will phone you tonight around eight.

Will you help me, please?

"You can have it for 200 USD." – "OK, I will buy it."

PREDICTIONS / STATEMENTS ABOUT THE FUTURE

When we give general information about the future, or when we give our opinion about what we think will happen, we use WILL.

It will be winter soon.

You will be paid on the last day of every month.

The weather report says that it will rain tomorrow.

Who do you think will win the match tonight?

will be a star one day – then you will be sorry!