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Learn English
Using future forms
There are many ways of talking about the future in
English. Which way you choose depends on how you see the future. Is the
future event planned or unplanned, a schedule, or a prediction?
Making predictions
in English
You can use both will and
going to to make predictions.
For example, "I think the Labour party
will lose the next election." Or "I think the Labour party
are going to lose the next
election."
If you can make a prediction based on what you see now, we use
going to.
For example, "You're driving too fast, you're
going to hit the car in front!"
Future plans and
arrangements
If something has already been planned, use
going to with the verb, or the
Present Continuous tense.
"I'm going to take my exams next
month."
"He's visiting a client on
Tuesday."
Unplanned future
When we decide to do something at the moment of speaking, we use
will.
"The phone's ringing - I'll
answer it."
(You only answer the phone when it starts ringing.)
Future schedules
When we want to talk about a schedule, we use the
Present Simple tense.
"The plane leaves in half an hour
- we'd better hurry."
"Next week I fly to Italy, then
on Tuesday, I'm in Spain."
Events in progress
at a time in the future
To talk about something that will be in progress at a time in the
future, use will be doing.
"For example, "This time next week, I'll
be sitting on a plane."
We can also use this form to make polite requests.
"Will you be using the car
tomorrow?"
(If you won't, can I use it?)
Events that will be
completed by a time in the future
If you want to say that something will be completed by a time in the
future, use will have done.
"I'll have finished the report by
this afternoon."
Final tip
Many learners of English overuse will
and going to. Try using all the
different future forms so that you become more confident.
NEXT >>
Using the imperative form
<< Grammar
and Tenses
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