Future Tenses

Future! What is it?
In English we dont have ONE

future tense. We use several
forms to talk about different
ideas about the future.
Both tenses can be used to denote actions which will happen

in the future, however; they often express two very different
meanings. These different meanings might seem too abstract
at first, but with time and practice, the differences will
become clear. Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific
time in the future.
We use "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action:

"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something
voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker
offers to do for someone else.
Often, we use "will" to respond to someone else's
complaint or request for help.
We also use "will" when we request that someone help
us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we
use "will not" or "won't" when we refuse to voluntarily
do something.
We use will to talk something we have
decided to do at the time of speaking.
I will send you the information when I get it.

I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can
read it.
Will you help me move this heavy table?
Will you make dinner?
I will not do your homework for you.

I won't do all the housework myself!
"Will" is usually used in promises:

Examples:
I will call you when I arrive.

If I am elected President of the United States, I will
make sure everyone has access to inexpensive health
insurance.
I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.
Don't worry, I'll be careful.
I won't tell anyone your secret.
To express a sudden decision made at

the moment of speaking.
I have a nice dress!

I will go to the
party tonight!
To express intention or promise.
I promise, I
will bring the
book
tomorrow!
To make a request or an offer.

will you help me carry
this box please?
.
That box looks quite

heavy, I will help you!
We use "Be going to" to Express a Plan

"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan.
It expresses the idea that a person intends to

do something in the future. It does not matter
whether the plan is realistic or not
Examples:
He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.
She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.
A: When are we going to meet each other tonight?

B: We are going to meet at 6 PM.
I'm going to be an actor when I grow up.
Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.

They are going to drive all the way to Alaska.
Who are you going to invite to the party?
A: Who is going to make John's birthday cake?

B: Sue is going to make John's birthday cake.
We use "Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction:

Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a
general prediction about the future. Predictions are
guesses about what might happen in the future. In

"prediction" sentences, the subject usually has little
control over the future. In the following examples, there
is no difference in meaning.
In the following examples, there is no difference in

meaning:
The year 2222 will be a very interesting year.
The year 2222 is going to be a very interesting
year.
John Smith will be the next President.

John Smith is going to be the next President.
The movie "Zenith" will win several Academy Awards.
The movie "Zenith" is going to win several Academy
Awards.
We use will to make predictions when

These predictions are based on personal judgment,
opinion or intuition, and not on present evidence.
Whether or not the event will happen is not certain.
Such predictions are often introduced by I think / I
don't think:
Examples:
I don't think he'll come tonight.
I predict that Congress will pass an anti-piracy law

soon.
If you ask him, he'll probably give you a lift.
To express a prediction based on opinion or

beliefs.
We think he will
win the
competition!
He is a
Spiderman!
We use be going to to make predictions

when
Our prediction is based on evidence. We are saying what
seems sure to happen.
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!
We use "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction based on

something we can observe now.
It is going to rain!
She is going to
have a baby!
Fixed Arrangements in the Near Future:

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous
to indicate that something will or will not happen in
the near future.
We use it to talk about fixed arrangements
Examples:
I am meeting some friends after work.
I am not going to the party tonight.

Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
Isn't he coming with us tonight?
I am going to
the cinema
tonight!
The simple present is used to make

statements about events at a time later
than now, when the statements are based
on present facts, and when these facts are
something fixed like a time-table, schedule,
calendar.
Scheduled Events in the Near Future

Speakers occasionally use Simple Present to talk about
scheduled events in the near future. This is most
commonly done when talking about public transportation,
but it can be used with other scheduled events as well.
Examples:
The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.
The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.
When do we board the plane?
The party starts at 8 o'clock.
When does class begin tomorrow?
We use Present Simple to talk about future events that

we cannot change.
Hurry up! The

train leaves in
two hours.

Future Tenses

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Future! What is it?

In English we dont have ONE

Both tenses can be used to denote actions which will happen

We use "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action:

We use will to talk something we have

decided to do at the time of speaking.

I will send you the information when I get it.

I will not do your homework for you.

"Will" is usually used in promises:

I will call you when I arrive.

I won't tell anyone your secret.

To express a sudden decision made at

I have a nice dress!

To express intention or promise.

To make a request or an offer.

That box looks quite

We use "Be going to" to Express a Plan

It expresses the idea that a person intends to

A: When are we going to meet each other tonight?

Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.

A: Who is going to make John's birthday cake?

We use "Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction:

guesses about what might happen in the future. In

In the following examples, there is no difference in

John Smith will be the next President.

We use will to make predictions when

Whether or not the event will happen is not certain.

Such predictions are often introduced by I think / I

I predict that Congress will pass an anti-piracy law

To express a prediction based on opinion or

We use be going to to make predictions

The sky is very black. It is going to snow.

We use "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction based on

Fixed Arrangements in the Near Future:

I am not going to the party tonight.

The simple present is used to make

Scheduled Events in the Near Future

We use Present Simple to talk about future events that

Hurry up! The

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