Section 4 - The future
Ways of referring to the future
The following table summarises the different structures we use to talk about the future.
| Form | Example | Meaning |
| will | I'll just go and get my coat. | = an immediate decision about what you're going to do |
| will | You'll be sick if you eat more chocolate. | = a general prediction |
| be going to | I'm going to stop in a minute. | = a personal intention |
| be going to | Look out! We're going to hit the car in front. | = a prediction after looking at what is happening now |
| Present Continuous | We're going to the cafe. Won't you join us? | = fixed plans / arrangements |
| Present Simple | The coach leaves in ten minutes. | = an unalterable arrangement or fact |
| will + Continuous | Don't phone too early because I'll be putting the baby to bed. | = an action that will be in progress some time in the future |
| will + Continuous | We'll be working on this until the end of the year. | = an activity that will be happening during a period in the future |
| will + Continuous | I'll give your letter to him - I'll be seeing him later. | = an action that will happen because it is regular or decided |
| will + Perfect | We'll have driven over five hundred miles by the time we get there. | = an event that will be finished before a specified time in the future |
| will + Perfect Continuous | We'll have been living here for ten years next May. | = a state of affairs in progress for a period up to a specified time in the future |
| be + to-infinitive | He is to be given an award. You're to stay here until you've apologised. |
= an official arrangement or order |
- We use shall with I or we with the same meaning as will. However, it is becoming increasingly formal - its most common current use is in polite offers or to ask advice:
Shall I open the door for you? What shall we do now?
Will in time clauses and if-clauses
We omit will in time clauses after when, as soon as, until, before, etc:
I'm not going to speak to her until she's apologised.
However, with conditional clauses (after if, unless, providing, etc.) we can use will, but only:
Harry asked me if I would help him out.
I'm not going to speak to her until she's apologised.
However, with conditional clauses (after if, unless, providing, etc.) we can use will, but only:
- when we want emphasis and will makes an intention or promise stronger:
- in polite requests - will means 'be willing to':
- We use would instead of will in reported speech and conditionals:
Harry asked me if I would help him out.
Common phrases
I'm (just) about to go out. (= in a very short time)
We were on the point of leaving when the bell rang.
We're due to meet in half an hour.
We were on the point of leaving when the bell rang.
We're due to meet in half an hour.
Check!
Match the examples with the meanings in the table.
a. Are you going to the match tomorrow?
b. Are you going to go out this evening or not?
c. My driving licence expires in 2030.
d. I've had enough. I'll finish this tomorrow.
e. We'll be sending you more details in the post.
b. Are you going to go out this evening or not?
c. My driving licence expires in 2030.
d. I've had enough. I'll finish this tomorrow.
e. We'll be sending you more details in the post.