Future tenses

Post date: Feb 27, 2014 1:03:54 PM

Present simple

We use the present simple tense in two cases. First, we use it for a timetabled event in the future, like public transport or the start of a class:

Second, we use it after certain words, when the sentence has a future meaning. These words are: before / after / as soon as / until / when :

Present continuous

1. We use the present continuous tense for definite future arrangements.

Going to

A prediction based on something we can see (or hear) now:

The Conservatives are going to win the election. They already have most of the votes.

A decision before the moment of speaking:

Julie: There's no milk.

John: I know. I'm going to go and get some when this TV programme finishes.

Will

We use the "will" form (simple future) for:

A decision at the moment of speaking:

A: 'I'm cold'.

B: 'I'll close the window'.

Prediction based on opinion:

• I think the Conservatives will win the next election.

A future fact:

• The sun will rise at 7am.

Promises / requests / refusal / willingness:

• I'll help you with your homework.

• Will you give me a hand?

• I will give up smoking!

In the same way as the future continuous, but with state verbs:

• I'll be at the station when you arrive.

'Shall' is used mainly in the forms 'shall I ?' and 'shall we?' in British English. These forms are used when you want to get someone's opinion, especially for offers and

Future continuous

We use the future continuous tense for:

A continuous action in the future which is interrupted by a time or by another action.

• I’'ll be waiting when you arrive.

• At eight o’clock, I’'ll be eating dinner.

A complete action in the future that will happen in the normal course of events.

• The Government will be making a statement later.

Because this talks about something that will happen if everything is as we planned, we often use this tense to ask politely about what someone is going to do.

• Will you be taking your car to the meeting? (=I'm asking very indirectly and politely - perhaps I want to get a lift).

To make a guess about the present.

• My mother will be working now (= I think she is working now, but I’'m not completely certain).

Future perfect

We use this future perfect tense:

With a future time word, (and often with 'by') to talk about an action that will finish before a certain time in the future, but we don't know exactly when.

• By 10 o'clock I will have finished my homework. (=I will finish my homework some time before 10, but we don't know exactly when)

• By the time I'm sixty, I will have retired. (= I will retire sometime before I'm sixty. We don't know exactly when, but definitely before my sixtieth birthday)

As the future perfect continuous, but with stative verbs.

Future perfect continuous

We use the future perfect continuous tense to:

With a time word, to talk about an action which starts before a time in the future and continues up to that time.

• In April 2009, I will have been teaching here for two years. (=I started in April 2007 and still teach here now, probably I will continue after April 2009 but we are not sure).

We often use this tense (instead of the present perfect continuous ) because we like easy numbers.

For example, imagine now it is March 2013. I started working in my job in April 2011. If you ask me:

how long have you been working here?',

I don't want to say '1 year and 11 months' because it's a bit long and complicated.

I prefer to use the future perfect continuous so I can say 2 years , which is an easier number.

So, instead of saying: I've been working here for 1 year and 11 months (using the present perfect continuous)

I prefer: In April, I will have been working here for 2 years.