Future Forms

To talk about a fixed future event on a timetable, a schedule or a programme we use:

• Present Simple "The train arrives at 8."

• Present Continuous "The train is arriving at 8"

• Will: "The train will arrive at 8."

To talk about a future arrangement, when you mention a time, a date or a place, we use:

• Present Simple "We meet tomorrow."

• Present Continuous "We are meeting tomorrow."

• Will: "We will meet tomorrow."

To talk about a future intention – something you have already decided to we use:

• be going to "We are going to buy a house."

• Present Continuous "We are buying a house

• Will: "We will buy a house."

To talk about a future prediction based on what you can see or what you know we use.

• be going to "Look at the clouds.It's going to rain."

• Present Continuous Look at the clouds.It is raining."

• Will: "Look at the clouds.It will rain."

To talk about a spontaneous decision when you react to circumstances we use:

• be going to "Be careful.It's going to fall."

• Present Continuous "Be careful.It is falling."

• Will: "Be careful.It will fall."

To talk a future prediction based on your opinion we use:

• be going to "Be careful.It's going to fall."

• Present Continuous "Be careful.It is falling."

• Will: "Be careful.It will fall."

To talk about a spontaneous decision when you react to circumstances we use:

• be going to "Don't do this alone. I'm going to help you."

• Present Continuous "Don't do this alone. I'm helping you."

• Will: "Don't do this alone. I will help you."

For offers and suggestions we use:

• be going to "Are we going to play outside?."

• Shall "Shall we play outside?."

• Will: "Will we play outside?."

When you talk about the future, you use the present tense after the conjunctions if, when, as soon as, unless, before and after.

• Yes

• No

Unless = if not

• Yes

• No