Skip to main content

Introduction

There are several ways to use verbs to talk about the future in English. This is a complicated area of grammar: the differences between the meanings and uses of the different structures are not easy to analyse and describe clearly. In many, but not all situations, two or more structures are possible with similar meanings.

Present-tense forms: I’m leaving; I’m going to leave​

When we talk about future events which have some present reality – which have already been planned or decided, or which we can see are on the way – we often use present-tense forms. The present progressive is common. For details, (see here).

  • I’m seeing Jack tomorrow.
  • What are you doing this evening?

The present progressive of go (be going to …) is often used as an auxiliary verb to talk about the future. For details, (see here).

  • Sandra is going to have a baby.
  • When are you going to get a job?

These present forms are especially common in speech (because conversation is often about future events which are already planned, or which we can see are on the way).

will/shall​

When we are simply giving information about the future, or talking about possible future events which are not already decided or obviously on the way, we usually use will (or sometimes shall) + infinitive. This is the most common way of talking about the future. For details, (see here).

  • Nobody will ever know the truth.
  • I think Liverpool will win.

Will (and sometimes shall) are also used to express our intentions and attitudes towards other people: they are common in offers, requests, threats, promises and announcements of decisions. For details, (see here).

  • Shall I carry your bag?
  • I’ll hit you if you do that again.

Simple present: the train leaves …​

The simple present can also be used to talk about the future, but only in certain situations. For details, (see here).

  • The train leaves at half past six tomorrow morning.

Other ways of talking about the future​

We can use the future perfect to say that something will be completed, finished or achieved by a certain time. For details, (see here).

  • By next Christmas we’ll have been here for eight years.

The future progressive can be used to say that something will be in progress at a particular time. For details, and other uses of this tense, (see here).

  • This time tomorrow I’ll be lying on the beach.

Be about to + infinitive (see here) suggests that a future event is very close.

  • The plane’s about to take off.

Be to + infinitive is used to talk about plans, arrangements and schedules, and to give instructions. For details, (see here).

  • The President is to visit Beijing.
  • You’re not to tell anybody.

‘future in the past’​

To say that something was still in the future at a certain past time, we can use a past form of one of the future structures. For details, (see here).

  • Something was going to happen that was to change the world.
  • I knew she would arrive before long.

Subordinate clauses​

In many subordinate clauses we refer to the future with present tenses instead of will + infinitive. For details, (see here).

  • Phone me when you have time. (not … when you’ll have time.)
  • I’ll follow him wherever he goes. (not … wherever he’ll go.)
Do you know what’s wrong with these, and why?

What do you do this evening? (see here)

I’m seeing him this evening and I’m really telling him what I think. (see here)

It’s snowing before long. (see here)

Lucy comes for a drink this evening. (see here)

I promise I phone you soon. (see here)

‘There’s the doorbell.’ ‘I go.’ (see here)

See those clouds? It will rain. (see here)

I’ll phone you when I will arrive. (see here)

I’ll tell you what I’ll find out. (see here)