Future Tense

Future Tense

In English there are several different ways to talk about the future. However, future forms with will and going to are the most common among these. Although both of these structures are used to talk about future, there is an important difference between them.

The forms with will (simple future tense) are mainly used to make simple predictions about the future. It is also used to talk about our reactions to events that happen at the moment of speaking.

Structure

• Affirmative: Subject + will + Verb  (First Form of Verb)

• Negative: Subject + will not / won’t + Verb  (First Form of Verb)

• Question: Will + Subject + Verb  (First Form of Verb)

• Answer: YES / NO + Subject + will / will not (won’t)

Use "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action

• I will send you the information when I get it.

• I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.

• I'll get you some coffee.

• I'll make some sandwiches

Use "Will" to Express a Promise

• I will call you when I arrive.

• Don't worry, I'll be careful.

• I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.

• I won't tell anyone your secret.

The structure with "going to" is mainly used to talk about our plans and intentions.

Structure

• Affirmative: Subject + to be + going to + verb

• Negative: Subject + to be + not + going to + verb

• Question: To be + subject + going to + verb

• We use gonna  instead of going to in informal contexts, especially in speaking and in song lyrics.

Use "Be going to" to Express a Plan

• "Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person intends to do something in the future. It does not matter whether the plan is realistic or not:

• He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.

• She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.

• When are we going to meet each other tonight?

• Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.

Use "Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction

• Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction about the future. Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future:

• The year 2222 will be a very interesting year.

• The year 2222 is going to be a very interesting year.

• John Smith will be the next President.

• John Smith is going to be the next President.