Future Time

The future is uncertain. We know the past. We know the present. We do not know 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 certainty about the future that decides our choice of structure or tense.

In this lesson we look at four of the most common ways to talk about the future, followed by a summary and then a quiz to check your understanding.

Although we often talk about “future tense”, technically there are no future tense in English – only different ways of talking about the future, using special constructions, other tenses or modal verbs.

will

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”, but technically there are no future tenses in English. In this construction, the word will is a modal auxiliary verb.

Here are the three main ways that we use will to talk about the future.

No plan

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 examples:

• Hold on. I‘ll get a pen.
• We will see what we can do to help you.
• Maybe we‘ll stay in and watch television tonight.

In these examples, we had no firm plan before speaking. The decision was made at the time of speaking.

We often use will with the verb think:

• I think I‘ll go to the gym tomorrow.
• I think I‘ll have a holiday next year.
• I don’t think I‘ll buy that car.

Prediction

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 examples:

• It will rain tomorrow.
• People won’t go to Jupiter before the 22nd century.
• Who do you think will get the job?

be

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 these examples:

• I will be in London tomorrow.
• There will be 50 people at the party.
• The meeting will be at 9.30 am.

The verb be is always exceptional!

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.
• We’re not going to see my mother tomorrow.
• When are you going to go on holiday?

In these examples, we had an intention or plan before speaking. The decision was made before we spoke.

Prediction

We often use going to to 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.
• It’s 8.30! You’re going to miss the train!
• I crashed the company car. My boss isn’t going to be very happy!

In these examples, the present situation (black sky/the time/damaged car) gives us a good idea of what is going to happen.

• We use will for prediction when we have no real evidence: “It will rain tomorrow.” (It’s my feeling but I can’t be sure.)
• We use going to for prediction when there is some real evidence: “It’s going to rain.” (There’s a big, black cloud in the sky and if it doesn’t rain I’ll be very surprised.)

Present Continuous for Plan

We often use the present continuous tense to talk about the future. Of course, we normally use the present continuous to talk about action happening in the present, but if we add a future word, we can use it to talk about the future. (By “future word” we mean words or expressions like , , . The future word may be clearly expressed or understood from the context.)

going to) and a plan (present continuous). In this case, it doesn’t matter which we use.

• We’re going to paint the bedroom tomorrow.
• We’re painting the bedroom tomorrow.

Sometimes there is no real difference between an intention () and a plan (). In this case, it doesn’t matter which we use.

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.
• We‘re going to the theatre on Friday.

Play Present Continuous for Future games

Present Simple for Schedule

When an event is on a schedule or timetable (for example, the take-off time for a plane), we often use the present simple to express the future. We usually also use a future phrase (expressed or understood) like , , .

Only a few verbs are used in this way, for example:

• be, open, close, begin, start, end, finish, arrive, come, leave, return

Look at these sentences:

• The train leaves Detroit at 9pm tonight.
• John starts work next week.
• Tomorrow is Thursday.

Future Time: Summary

When we speak, we choose the tense that we use. This is important in English, because the tense we choose expresses more than just a simple fact. When we speak about the future, the tense we choose can express how we “see” the future, even our personal feelings about the future. It certainly expresses what we believe to be the probability (the chance, the reality) of something happening or whether we have already decided to do it.

This table gives a simple scale of probability for each structure. It is not exact because language is not a science, and there are many variables. This table should help you to think about the “concept” of the future in English. This concept does not exist in all languages, but it is rather important in English.

% probability (before speaking) of event happening
structure
used for
example

0%
will
no plan
Don’t get up. I’ll answer the phone.

70%
going to
intention
We’re going to watch TV tonight.

90%
present continuous
plan
I’m taking my exam in June.

99.999%
present simple
schedule
My plane takes off at 6.00am tomorrow.

It is impossible in English to express the future with 100% certainty. (The speakers of any language that can do this must all be trillionaires!)

The simple future tense in English and simple future examples. Learn the definition and how to form simple future tense with useful examples and ESL printable infographics.

Simple Future Tense

Simple Future Definition

The Simple Future tense is used when we plan or make a decision to do something. Nothing is said about the time in the future.

Forming Simple Future Tense

Positive Statements | Simple Future

SUBJECT
WILL
VERB
REST OF THE SENTENCE

I
will
read
the story book tomorrow.

You
will
read
the story book tomorrow.

He
will
read
the story book tomorrow.

Tom
will
read
the story book tomorrow.

The boy
will
read
the story book tomorrow.

She
will
read
the story book tomorrow.

Anna
will
read
the story book tomorrow.

The girl
will
read
the story book tomorrow.

We
will
read
the story book tomorrow.

You
will
read
the story book tomorrow.

They
will
read
the story book tomorrow.

The children
will
read
the story book tomorrow.

 

SUBJECT
AM / IS / ARE GOING TO
VERB
REST OF THE SENTENCE

I
am going to
read
the story book tomorrow.

You
are going to
read
the story book tomorrow.

He
is going to
read
the story book tomorrow.

Tom
is going to
read
the story book tomorrow.

The boy
is going to
read
the story book tomorrow.

She
is going to
read
the story book tomorrow.

Anna
is going to
read
the story book tomorrow.

The girl
is going to
read
the story book tomorrow.

We
are going to
read
the story book tomorrow.

You
are going to
read
the story book tomorrow.

They
are going to
read
the story book tomorrow.

The children
are going to
read
the story book tomorrow.

Notice how we use ‘will’ or ‘going to’ and the verb in the base form for all subjects.

Negative Statements | Simple Future

SUBJECT
WILL NOT
VERB
REST OF THE SENTENCE

I
will not
play
football next week.

You
will not
play
football next week.

He
will not
play
football next week.

Tom
will not
play
football next week.

The boy
will not
play
football next week.

She
will not
play
football next week.

Anna
will not
play
football next week.

The girl
will not
play
football next week.

We
will not
play
football next week.

You
will not
play
football next week.

They
will not
play
football next week.

The children
will not
play
football next week.

 

SUBJECT
AM / IS / ARE

NOT GOING TO

VERB
REST OF THE SENTENCE

I
am not going to
play
football next week.

You
are not going to
play
football next week.

He
is not going to
play
football next week.

Tom
is not going to
play
football next week.

The boy
is not going to
play
football next week.

She
is not going to
play
football next week.

Anna
is not going to
play
football next week.

The girl
is not going to
play
football next week.

We
are not going to
play
football next week.

You
are not going to
play
football next week.

They
are not going to
play
football next week.

The children
are not going to
play
football next week.

Notice how we use ‘will not’ or ‘not going to’ and the verb in the base form for all subjects.

Interrogative Statements / Questions | Simple Future

WILL
SUBJECT
VERB
REST OF THE SENTENCE

Will
I
go
to Paris next month?

Will
you
go
to Paris next month?

Will
he
go
to Paris next month?

Will
Tom
go
to Paris next month?

Will
the boy
go
to Paris next month?

Will
she
go
to Paris next month?

Will
Anna
go
to Paris next month?

Will
the girl
go
to Paris next month?

Will
we
go
to Paris next month?

Will
you
go
to Paris next month?

Will
they
go
to Paris next month?

Will
the children
go
to Paris next month?

 

AM / IS / ARE
SUBJECT
GOING TO
VERB
REST OF THE SENTENCE

Am
I
going to
go
to Paris next month?

Are
you
going to
go
to Paris next month?

Is
he
going to
go
to Paris next month?

Is
Tom
going to
go
to Paris next month?

Is
the boy
going to
go
to Paris next month?

Is
she
going to
go
to Paris next month?

Is
Anna
going to
go
to Paris next month?

Is
the girl
going to
go
to Paris next month?

Are
we
going to
go
to Paris next month?

Are
you
going to
go
to Paris next month?

Are
they
going to
go
to Paris next month?

Are
the children
going to
go
to Paris next month?

Simple Future Tense Chart

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