The Future

  	

   	

    	

    	1. The first form:
    	
   	
   	

 
 Present continuous (no plan):


The structure is: 

(Subject)
 (Auxiliary verb to BE) 
 (MAIN VERB-ING)
 (FUTURE WORD)
 He
 is  
 
studying 
 
next year

It is the structure of the present continuous, but we add:

-  A future word, or

-  A clause to understand the future from the context. 


Examples:

I'm going to swim tomorrow ( future time word: Tomorrow)

I'm flying to Chicago ( future : by the context)


You are meeting someone tomorrow.

I'm staying home tonight.

He is wearing new shoes when you see him.



	Some future words:

	Tomorrow, next month, in October, on Monday, etc


 
Present continuous (with plan):



We use the present continuous for the future when

we have planned to do something before we speak. We 

have already made a decision and a firm plan or program 

before speaking. 

 
Examples:

 We're eating in a restaurant tonight. We've already booked the table. 

 When are you starting your new study? 


  	

   	

    	

    	2. The second form (going to): 
    	
   	
   	

The syntax is :

Subject + (am, is are) +going to + base form of the verb

POSITIVE 
NEGATIVE 
QUESTION
                                                       

I am 
 I am not 
Am I 
He/She/It is  
He/She/It  is not    
Is He/She/It 
                                         
We/You/They / are  
We/You/They / are  not  
Are 
                      
We/You/They  

going to + verb
 going to + verb
 going to + verb ?

Examples:
                 
What are you going to do this autumn?

It's going to speak English fluently.


We use this form for the future: 

 
 When we have the intention.
 
When we make a prediction (clear now that something is sure to happen).



 
intentions
We use going to when we have the intention to do something

before we speak. We have already made a decision before

speaking. 


Examples:

He has won the race; he is going to flight to Saskatoon. 

We're not going to paint our bedroom tomorrow. 

When are you going to go on holiday? 

I bought some wood because I am going to build a bookcase 

for my apartment.


 
predictions
The prediction is based on present evidence. We are saying

what we think will happen. We have a good idea of what is going to happen. 


Examples:

The sky is very black. It's going to snow. 

It's 8.30! You're going to miss the train! 

He broke her car. She isn't going to be very happy! 


  	

   	

    	

    	3. The third form: Will
    	
   	
   	
Will is used to express the future.

Negative form : won't = will not

 
Examples:

Question : will you be there tomorrow ?

Yes , I will

No, I won't

I'm going to go to class tomorrow morning.

I will go to bed.

What are you going to do tomorrow morning ?

I won't be home around seven this evening.


 
Will is usually contracted with :

- Pronouns in both speech and informal writing.

- Nouns in speech, but usually not in writing.

- Time expressions such as today, this morning, this afternoon, this 

evening, tonight, this week, this month, this year, this semester.


 
Be "going to" and "will" are the same when they are used to make 

predictions  about the future.


Examples:

He is going to succeed because he works hard. (1)

He will succeed because he works hard. (2)

(1) and (2) have the same meaning.


 
Do not use "Will" to express a preconceived plan,

use "Be going" instead.


 
Will ( not be going to) is used to volunteer or express willingness.


Examples:

This suitcase is too heavy for you to carry alone. I'll help you.

Could someone get me a glass of water ?

            - Certainly, I'll get you one.

Can I borrow this book ?

Sure , I'll give it to you. But I need it back soon.

I'll return it to you tomorrow. Okay ?


 
Using probably with Will :

Probably comes :

Between Will and the main verb In affirmative sentence.

In front of Won't, or more formally between will and not In a negative sentence.

After the subject In questions


Examples:

She will probably come this afternoon.

She probably won't change her mind = She will probably not 

change her mind.

Will you probably come back over holiday ?


   	

   	

    	

    	4. The fourth form: using the future time and If clauses
    	
   	
   	


----Now------BEFORE----*IF,  WHEN, AS SOON AS *---AFTER------Future------


Use the simple present in  future time clauses and If clauses.

 
Expressing future time in time clauses: 




Examples:

 Before I go to class tomorrow, I am going to buy a book.

	Future time clause                 Main clause


After I finish my homework, I am going to go to bed. (1)

I am going to go to bed after I finish my homework. (2)

(1) and (2) are the same.

 
As soon as the teacher gets there, class will begin


 
Expressing future time with If-clauses: 




Examples:

If it rains tomorrow, I'm going to stay home. (1)

If-clause                    Main clause

I'm going to stay home If it rains tomorrow. (2)

(1) and (2) are the same.

   	

   	

    	

    	5. The fifth form: Using the simple present 
    	
   	
   	
Use the simple present to express futur time :

The simple present can express the future time when events are on 

a definite schedule or timetable.
 Examples:

Her new job starts on April.

There is a meeting at ten.
Only a few verbs are used in the simple present to express a future time.

The most common are :  

be,arrive, leave, start, begin, end, finish, open, close.
    	

   	

    	

    	6. The sixth form: Using Intend, plan and hope verbs 
    	
   	
   	
We use the verbs:  Intend, plan, hope when we 

plan for future activities.
Examples:

I'm intending, I intend to move somewere .

I'm planning, I plan to move …

I'm hoping, I hope  to move …

Intend, plan, and hope are used in present tenses to expesspresent 

ideas about future activities.

These verbs are followed by an infinitive ( = to + the simple form of a verb)
    	

   	

    	

    	7. The seventh form: Immediate future : Using Be about to
    	
   	
   	
 
 Examples:

She is going to school. She has  prepared for the test. Her friend is 

waiting for her to give her a ride. She is about to go to School. 

(she is going to leave sometime in the next few minutes).

The idiom "be about to do something"  expresses an activity that will 

happen in the immediate future  ( usually in 5 minutes) .
    	

   	

    	

    	 8.The eighth form: Using shall 
    	
   	
   	
Shall ( for I and we) is infrequent and very formal.