The future

the future with going to (FIRST)

Future forms in English are formed using auxiliary verbs.One of the most commonly used constructions is going to plus the base form of the main verb.

how to form

Subject + is + going to + verb + rest of sentence

going to for future plans.

Going to is used to talk about future events that have been planned in advance,rather than decided upon at the time of speaking.

eg: I'm going to buy a new car.

going to for prediction

Going to is also used to make predictions when there is evidence in the present moment.

eg: Look at those clouds.It's going to rain soon.

questions with going to

Questions with going to are formed by swapping the subject and be.

• Michelle is going to be at the meeting.
• Is Michelle going to be at the meeting?

The future with will (SECOND)

Will is used to form some future tenses in English. It can be used in several different ways,which are all different from the future with going to.

how to form the future with will

subject + will + verb + rest of sentence.

usage

1. To make a prediction about what you think will happen.(no firm evidence) Wait a few minutes.I think it will stop raining soon.

2. To offer to do something for someone. You look frozen.I will make you some hot soup.

3. To make a promise. We will be there by eight. Don't worry!

4. To describe a decsion you have just made. I know! I will buy surfboard for his birthday.

Think with will

Think can be used with will to show that a prediction is just an opinion, or a decision is not final.

eg:

• I think that we will have enough food for the party.
• I am tired.I think I will go to bed.

Future with Shall

shall is used instead of will when asking for a decision, or making offers or suggestions. In there cases, it is only used with I or we.It is rarely used in US english.

eg: Shall I pick you up or shall we meet at the restaurant?

The present for future events (THIRD)

The present simple and present continuous can be used to talk about future events that are already planned. They are usually used with a future time word or time phrase

The present simple for future events (THIRD-FIRST)

The present simple can be used to talk about events that are scheduled to take place in the future.

eg: The train arrives at 10pm tonight.

how to form

Subject + present simple + future time phrase

The present continuous for future events (THIRD-SECOND)

The present continuous can be used to talk about pre-arranged future events. Time markers usually show whether the event is in the present or future.

eg: At the moment Dave is working, but tomorrow he is playing golf.

• At the moment Dave is working -> present continuous
• But tomorrow he is playing golf. -> the present continuous for future events.

how to form

Subject + present continous + future time phrase