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Future Tense
Future tenses in English usually tell us about how the person speaking thinks about the future event.
Is the event: ???– an arrangement
– a plan
– a prediction
ArrangementPresent continuous
Something that involves someone else:
i.e, appointments, bookings, dates, meetings
“I’m sorry, I’m meeting a client at that time. Can we make it later?”
“I’m watching that movie with my girlfriend tonight, so don’t tell me what happens.”
Plangoing to
A plan is something you have decided, e.g. a New Year’s resolution, a goal, a to-do list.
“I’m going to give up smoking this year.”
“I’m just going to chill this weekend.”
Predictionwill
A prediction is something you think you cannot change. Usually pertains to things about society, other people, trends.
“There will be a final at the end of the semester.”
“I’ll lose all my hair by the time I’m 50”
“It will rain.”
“It’s going to rain.”
GOING TO
to PREDICT something that will happen in the future based on some evidence now:
It’s going to rain.
Did you know that Bob and Kath are going to get married?
WILL
However, if the prediction is based on our opinion, or on past experience, we use will.
Why go to Venice in December? It will probably rain!
Why not come over at the weekend? The children will enjoy seeing you again.
Don’t ask Dad. He’ll never agree.
WILL
often used with I expect, I hope, I imagine, I think , etc.
I think I’ll go to the Christmas bazaar this afternoon.
I bet the stores will be really crowded.
WILL
use for a spontaneous decision
Apples are on sale today.
Really? Then I’ll take 2 kilos.
You need a ride? I’ll pick you up at 8.
Going to
Use for decisions that have already been made:
I’m going to pick up the kids from school at 5pm.
I’m going to a concert tonight.
“George phoned while you were out.”
• O.K. I’ll phone him back.
• Yes, I know. I’m going to phone him back.
“Ann is in the hospital.”
• Oh really? I didn’t know. I’ll go visit her.
• Yes, I know. I’m going to go visit her.
There will be an exam in two weeks. (teacher)
• more formal
• prearranged in some detail
There’s going to be an exam in two weeks. (student)
Other Future Tenses
Future continuouswill + be + verb+ing
Designates something in progress at a future time:
“Don’t phone me at 6 in the morning because I’ll be sleeping.”
Indicates something planned:“Will you be staying with us this weekend” (= “Are you going to stay with us this weekend.”)
Emphasizes certainty:“In 10 years everyone will be driving electric cars.”
Future Perfect
Something ended or achieved in the future:
“ By the time the semester is over, you will have covered everything in “Advanced Grammar in Use.”
Future Perfect Continuous
Indicates an activity still in progress in the future:
“By 2015, I will have been working 30 years for Siemens.”
The future seen from the past .....
..... as quoted in The New Yorker
"When I began the Ponzi scheme, I believed it would end shortly and I would be able to extricate myself and my clients."
Bernie Madoff
quoted by Nancy Franklin in The New Yorker. See http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/03/22/active_resistance/
TAXI KILLER STILL AT LARGE
As the futile attempts by the police to catch the notorious Taxi Killer, bodies pile up Sabbatoniamaking taxis the most dangerous place to be in the city. As authorities continue their investigations, very little has been uncovered, leading us to believe that the Taxi Killer is very much amongst us, lurking in the shadows waiting to strike. It has been eight months since the first killing, all related by miniscule details, with no clear motives and a random pattern making it impossible to trace.
