Let’s look at the four most common ways to express the future in English.
Many people think that the only way to talk about the future in English is by using “will + base form”. But English uses a range of different constructions to talk about the future. These are the four most common forms. (The future continuous, future perfect and future perfect continuous are used much less frequently, and only in very specific situations.)
Note: It can be difficult to give exact rules for future constructions. In many situations, more than one form is possible. People use the following rules most of the time.
1. The future simple (will + base form)
We mainly use the future simple for predictions (guesses or opinions), future facts (neutral or formal language), spontaneous decisions and promises.
For example:
- I’m sure he’ll pass the exam. (prediction)
- The moon will be full tomorrow. (future fact)
- It’s cold. I’ll close the window. (spontaneous decision)
- Don’t worry. I won’t be late tomorrow. (promise)
Click here for all uses of the future simple: learnenglishgrammar.com/future-simple-use/
2. Be going to + base form
We mainly use this construction for predictions (based on present evidence), future facts (conversational language) and plans or intentions.
For example:
- Be careful! You’re going to drop those plates. (prediction)
- The moon’s going to be full tomorrow. (future fact)
- In this presentation, I’m going to talk to you about climate change. (plan or intention)
- The students aren’t going to buy a present for their teacher. (plan or intention)
- Is Julia going to go to London next year? (plan or intention)
❗Students are sometimes confused by the repetition of go in sentences like the last one. Here go is simply the main verb, like talk and buy in the previous sentences.
Click here for a comparison of the future simple and “be going to + base form”:
learnenglishgrammar.com/will-or-be-going-to-comparison/
3. The present continuous
For fixed personal arrangements in the future, we mainly use the present continuous. These are plans that we have already made, and they usually involve an activity that required organising (going somewhere, seeing somebody, etc.). These sentences typically include a time and/or place.
❗Students sometimes confuse the present continuous with “be going to + base form”, especially when go is the main verb.
For example:
- He’s seeing the doctor on Monday.
- Where are they meeting their friends?
- Lisa’s going to the movies this weekend. (go is the main verb)
- Max and I are going swimming after work. (go is the main verb)
Most of the time, we can use “be going to + base form” here as well, but it is more common to use the present continuous if we have already organised things.
Let’s compare these two sentences:
- He’s seeing the doctor on Monday.
- He’s going to see the doctor on Monday.
The first sentence sounds more definite — he has probably already made the appointment. The second sentence sounds like an intention — he has possibly made the appointment.
Let’s compare these two questions:
- Is Julia going to London next year?
- Is Julia going to go to London next year?
Similarly, these two questions basically mean the same thing. However, with the first question it sounds like we are asking if Julia has made definite plans — if she has bought tickets, organised accommodation, etc.
❗In sentences that do not involve an arranged activity with a time and/or place, we do not usually use the present continuous. For example, in this sentence, the present continuous would sound strange. It would sound like you are talking about the present and not the future:
- In this presentation, I’m going to talk to you about climate change.
4. The present simple
We usually use the present simple for future events based on a timetable or schedule. These are a type of future fact. These are usually set by an organisation — these are not personal plans.
For example:
- The train leaves at 4 o’clock.
- The Olympics begin next week.
- I start work at 6 am tomorrow.
- What time does the shop close?
- When do the sales end?
We also use the present simple in sentences about the future after conjunctions like when, after, before, until and as soon as. We usually use the future simple in the other clause. It is sometimes possible to use the present perfect instead of the present simple in these types of sentences.
For example:
- When I finish work, I’ll call you.
- They’ll celebrate after they win the game.
- Please lock the door before you leave.
- We won’t start until everyone arrives.
- As soon as the lesson finishes, we’ll go home.
Notes:
1. For predictions, we usually use the future simple if it is based on an opinion or belief. We tend to use “be going to + base form” if it is based on current evidence (things that we know, or can see or hear).
2. For future facts, we usually use the future simple in neutral or formal language and
“be going to + base form” in conversational language.
3. For future facts based on a timetable or schedule, we usually use the present simple, but the future simple (formal), “be going to + base form” (conversational) and the present continuous (conversational) are also possible.
Summary
| Uses | Examples |
| 1. The future simple (will + base form) | |
| Predictions (guesses or opinions) | I’m sure he’ll pass the exam. |
| Future facts (neutral or formal language) | The moon will be full tomorrow. |
| Spontaneous decisions | It’s cold. I’ll close the window. |
| Promises | Don’t worry. I won’t be late tomorrow. |
| 2. Be going to + base form | |
| Predictions (based on present evidence) | Look at those dark clouds. It’s going to rain soon. |
| Future facts (conversational language) | The moon’s going to be full tomorrow. |
| Plans or intentions | I’m going to study hard for the test. |
| 3. The present continuous | |
| Fixed personal arrangements | He’s seeing the doctor on Monday. |
| 4. The present simple | |
| Timetables or schedules | The train leaves at 4 o’clock. |
| After conjunctions like when, after, before, until and as soon as | When I finish work, I’ll call you. |