¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE (FUTURE FORMS)

PRESENT SIMPLE

→ Timetables, schedules, travel plans already fixed, etc.

The football match begins at 7:30.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

→ Inevitable future situations, planned meetings and definite arrangements (usually personal)

I am seeing my son’s paediatrician next Tuesday. Kathy’s meeting Mike at the cinema tomorrow morning.

GOING TO

→ Something premeditated and sufficiently predicted.

We are going to throw a party next Saturday.

→ Predictions based on substantial evidence.

It is going to rain, look at those dark clouds.

SIMPLE FUTURE

→ Spontaneous decisions, decisions we create under a situation

“The phone is ringing,” “I will get it”

→ Promises

I will love you forever more.

→ Predictions without evidence

In the next century, people will not be able to double life expectancies.

→ Offers

Sam will help me with my homework.

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

→ Planned events in progress in the future.

This time next week, we will be sitting on a beautiful beach in Miami.

FUTURE PERFECT

→ To refer to the time at which something will finish / be completed.

By the year 2020, the new complex will have been completed.

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

→ To refer to the time at which something will be in progress.

I started to work here in 2005, so by 2010 I will have been working here for 5 years

¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯OTHER EXPRESSSIONS USED TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE

BE ABOUT TO

→ For things which will happen very soon and so are quite certain.

The parachutist is about to jump.

BE BOUND TO

→ For things which are certain to happen.

They’re 3 – 0 down, the England football team are bound to lose.

ON THE VERGE OF

→ For things which are near to happen in relation to the moment when someone does something or something happens.

My father met Elvis at a dinner when he was on the verge of being discovered.

FUTURE FORMS