International TEFL InstituteThe Future Forms
There are a number of ways to talk about the future. We will look at four of the future forms:
1. The Future with “Going To”
2. Future Simple (Will)
3. Present Continuous with a Future meaning
4. The Future using Modal Verbs
The Future with ‘Going To’
When we want to describe our plans, intentions or things we have decided to do, we precede the main verb with the structure going to. This is sometimes referred to as a verb idiom, yet though it functions as an auxiliary verb, it should be treated simply as a two-word structure or phrase that precedes the main verb indicating future time. For example:
- I’m going to teach my new students tomorrow.
- She’s going to visit her mother next week.
- We are going to go to the cinema tonight.
In these sentences, going to is the future structure followed by the present tense of the main verb (teach/go/visit). Notice too that going to is preceded by the verb be (am/is/are).
This structure is also used when we predict future events based on present evidence.
For example:
- Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain.
- At this rate, they are not going to finish the construction by next year.
The going to structure looks like this:
Auxiliary verb “be” + “going to” + infinitive of main verb
The Future Simple (Will)
Sometimes when we refer to the future, we precede the main verb with the modal verb will. We often refer to this structure as Future Simple. For example:
- I will accept your proposal.
- Elizabeth will go to the Ball.
- I won’t see that film again! (The negative form of will)
In these sentences, the modal verb will is the future indicator followed by the bare infinitive form of the main verbs (accept/go/see).
Will is often used when we make decisions on the spur of the moment, often to make an offer. For example:
- Okay, I’ll go to the cinema with you.
- Oh, go on then, I’ll do it!
- Ok, I’ll do the washing up.
At other times, you can use will to make predictions or general statements about the future. For example:
- It will rain tomorrow.
- Shawn will finish this book by next week.
- There’ll be 12 people turning up for dinner tonight.
The will structure looks (very simply) like this:
Modal verb “will” + bare infinitive of main verb
Present Continuous with a Future Meaning
The Present Continuous form describes what we are doing at the present moment. For example:
- I’m watching television.
- Edward is driving to Scotland.
- My friends are having a party.
However, we can use this same structure to talk about the future. For example:
- I’m watching television tonight.
- Edward is driving to Scotland tomorrow.
- My friends are having a party next week.
The inclusion of the adverbs tonight, tomorrow and next week indicate that you are speaking about an activity that will be in progress in the future. It’s almost as if you can imagine seeing yourself watching television at a future time.
We use this form when we talk about future plans or arrangements. For example:
- I’m going out with my friends for dinner later.
- Sorry, I can’t come round now – I’m seeing Michelle tonight.
- We’re watching Avatar on Friday.
The structure is, therefore:
Present tense form of auxiliary verb “be” + present participle of main verb
The Future Using Modal Verbs
Of the eleven modal verbs, six can be used to predict a possible future:
1. I may be able to help you.
2. Deon might just give me a raise.
3. I could do it if you gave me a chance.
4. My friend Warren has a car. He can take you home.
5. Lorna would climb Mount Everest if she had the chance.
6. The parcel should arrive by the end of the week.
There is a modal verb that can be used to substitute will, and that is shall. The use of shall seems to indicate a determination on the part of the user. However, shall is falling out of use these days. Look at these examples:
- Elizabeth shall go to the ball.
- Shall we go to the beach?
- I shall do some studying tonight.
We can also use different tense constructions by mixing the continuous and the perfect with the future. For example:
The Future Continuous
- We’ll be waiting for your call.
- Every breath you take. Every move you make. I’ll be watching you.
- She’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes.
This structure uses the following structure:
modal verb “will” + auxiliary verb “be” + present participle of main verb
The Future Perfect
- I’ll have started work by the time you get up.
- I will have taught all my classes by 4.00 pm tonight.
- At this rate, you’ll have eaten all the sandwiches by the time the guests arrive.
This structure uses the following structure:
modal verb “will” + auxiliary verb “have” + past participle of main verb
The Future Perfect Continuous
- I’ll have been cleaning my house for three hours by lunchtime.
- By the end of this year, we’ll have been playing together in this band for five years.
- Jason will have been teaching for almost twenty years next year.
This structure uses the following structure:
modal verb “will” + auxiliary verb “have” + past participle of auxiliary verb “be” + present participle of main verb
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