Borbás Tibor – Simon Péter: Grammar Cracker Unit 2.

5: Future time Page 1 of 8

2.5 Future time
Contents
2.5.1 Present Simple
2.5.2 Present Continuous
2.5.3 Going to
2.5.4 Future Simple
2.5.5 Future Continuous
2.5.6 Future Perfect Simple
2.5.7 Future Perfect Continuous
2.5.8 Other structures expressing future time

Guiding questions
• What tenses are used to express future time?
• What kinds of future events can be expressed with the Present Continuous tense?
• What is common in the going to structure and the Future Simple tense?
• What is the difference between the Future Perfect and the Future Perfect Continuous tenses?
• What is the difference between the Future Continuous and the Future Perfect Continuous tenses?
• Besides tenses what other structures can be used to express future time?

Before you start studying this unit, we suggest reading 2.1 (Aspects) again.

2.5.1 Present Simple

(Cf. 2.4.1 for form.)

We can use the Present Simple for future events which we cannot control. (Cf. 2.4.1.2)

Her mother retires in 2 years.

Christmas Eve is on a Tuesday this year.
Next week he has his operation, then he goes on holiday.

The last plane to Zurich leaves at 20.20.

2.5.2 Present Continuous

(Cf. 2.4.2 for form.)

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This tense can express fixed social or travel arrangements and plans for the future. Note that you need to
use a time expression, otherwise the Present Continuous tense would refer to present time. (Cf. 2.4.2)

“What are you doing tonight?” “I’m going to the cinema.”

I’m going to Bratislava in two weeks’ time.
My sister is leaving tomorrow.

NOTE
In time clauses (for example clauses with after, as soon as, until, when, while, etc.) that refer to future
time we use present tenses.

Will you wait for me until I get back? (this refers to a point in time in the future)
You can play in the garden when you have finished your homework. (to emphasise the completion of the
event)
I'll be doing some embroidery while you are working on your new song. (for duration)

2.5.3 Going to

(Cf. 2.4.2 for form.)

Note that the meaning of this form is not identical with that of the verb go in the Present Continuous
tense.

I am going to the dentist. (Present Continuous)

I am going to faint. (going to)

Going to can express prediction and intention. It can be used without a time expression. (Cf. 2.5.2)

2.5.3.1 Prediction
Going to is used to predict future events which are very near. This use is impersonal, i.e. independent of
the speaker’s opinion. There is usually a sign in the present that something will happen.

I am going to faint. (It is hot and I am already feeling sick.)

Look at the clouds; it’s going to rain.

She is going to fall asleep.

2.5.3.2 Intention
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Going to can also be used for future plans that, at the moment of speaking, have already been decided,
which means they are premeditated.

I am going to read this book. (That's why I have borrowed it.)

2.5.4 Future Simple

Affirmative
subject auxiliary verb (simple infinitive)
I
You
He/she/it
will help.
We
You
They

Negative
subject auxiliary not verb (simple infinitive)
I
You
He/she/it
will not help.
We
You
They

Interrogative
(question word) auxiliary subject verb (simple infinitive)
I
you
he/she/it
(Why) will help ?
we
you
they

The Future Simple can also express both prediction and intention.

2.5.4.1 Prediction
We use the Future Simple tense to express a subjective prediction, which is a hypothesis based on our
opinion. Whether or not the event will happen or not is not certain. Very often this kind of prediction is
introduced by I think/I don’t think….

I don’t think he'll come.

I predict that the Congress will pass an anti-piracy law soon.

2.5.4.2 Intention
The Future Simple can also be used for future plans that have just been decided; that is, they are
unpremeditated.

Come on, Tim, I'll help you carry those bags. (seeing that your friend is struggling with his luggage)

Note the difference between predictions with the Future Simple and going to, and also between intentions
with Future Simple and going to. Consult the following table for further help.

prediction intention
Future Simple I think/Perhaps it will rain tomorrow. DAVID: My bike broke down yesterday.
GEORGE: I’ll fix it for you.
going to Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain. LUCY: Do you know that David’s bike has broken
down?
GEORGE: Yes, I’m going to fix it later today.

2.5.4.3 In complex sentences

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The Future Simple is used in complex sentences (referring to future time) which contain clauses of
condition (cf. 4.1.2), time or purpose (cf. 7.4.1.1).

If you have finished, then we’ll go.

When you finish, we’ll go.
I’m taking this book with myself, so that I’ll have something to read on the train.

2.5.5 Future Continuous

Affirmative
subject auxiliary verb (continuous infinitive)
I
You
He/she/it
will be coming soon.
We
You
They

Negative
verb (continuous
subject auxiliary not
infinitive)
I
You
He/she/it
will not be sitting there.
We
You
They

Interrogative
verb (continuous
(question word) auxiliary subject
infinitive)
I
you
he/she/it
(When) will be coming back?
we
you
they

2.5.5.1
The Future Continuous tense expresses that an event will be in progress at a certain moment in the future.
This moment needs to be mentioned or implied. If it is mentioned, a time expression or a time clause can
be used.

When you arrive, I’ll be waiting for you outside the station.
“Every breath you take, I’ll be watching you”
"At seven? I'll be bathing the baby then."
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This time next year she will be bathing in the sea.

2.5.5.2
This tense can also express an event which will be in progress during a certain period of time in the
future. This period can be expressed with a time expression or with a clause. If we use a clause, it will be
in the Present Continuous tense (cf. 2.5.2/NOTE).

I will be working the whole weekend, so I can’t go to the Mayfair.

While you’re studying, I’ll be watching TV.

2.5.5.3
We can also use this tense for fixed arrangements and plans (in the same way as the Present Continuous),
although these may be less definite and formal.

The band will be performing live sometime in October.

We will be arriving in Szeged soon.

2.5.6 Future Perfect Simple

Affirmative
subject auxiliary verb (perfect infinitive)
I
You
He/she/it
will have finished by then.
We
You
They

Negative
verb (perfect
subject auxiliary not
infinitive)
I
You
He/she/it
will not have finished by then.
We
You
They

Interrogative
verb (perfect
(question word) auxiliary subject
infinitive)
(By what time) will I have finished ?
you
he/she/it
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we
you
they

This tense expresses that an event will be completed before a point in the future. This event may happen
at any time up to that point. It is normally used with time expressions beginning with by.

By the time we get home, the film will have started.

By 5 he'll have reached his destination.
By this time next year I will have lived here for 10 years. (This could mean that in a year's time I will still
be living there or will have just moved.)

NOTE
To express assumption this tense is used to refer to past time. (Cf. 3.2.11.2)

You won’t have heard the news that she’s been accepted. (= I don't suppose you have heard the news.)
Ingrid joined our team last summer so many of you will have met her already.

2.5.7 Future Perfect Continuous

Affirmative
verb (perfect continuous
subject auxiliary
infinitive)
I
You
He/she/it
will have been walking for hours by then.
We
You
They

Negative
verb (perfect
subject auxiliary not
continuous infinitive)
I
You
He/she/it
will not have been walking for hours by then.
We
You
They

Interrogative
verb (perfect
(question word) auxiliary subject
continuous infinitive)
I
you
he/she/it
(Why) will have been walking for hours by then?
we
you
they

This tense is used for events which will have been in progress at a definite time in the future. It relates to
the Future Perfect tense in the same way as the Present Perfect Continuous relates to the Present Perfect,
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or the Past Perfect Continuous to the Past Perfect (duration and result). Note that although this tense is
grammatically possible, it is rarely used by speakers of English.

By tomorrow it will have been raining for a fortnight.

Before the famine is declared, many people in the area will have been living with chronic malnutrition
for some time.

2.5.8 Other structures

2.5.8.1 Is/are to do sg for formal arrangements

All students are to take the Alapvizsga at the end of the year.
“Clone expert is to clone human embryos”

2.5.8.2 Be about to do sg; be on the point/verge/edge of sg/doing sg referring to the next moment

The orcs are on the verge of breaking through the castle gate!
Hurry up! The ceremony is about to begin!

Cupid and Psyche are about to kiss each other.

2.5.8.3 Be due to do sg for scheduled times

The film is due to start in 2 minutes.

Half of our employees are due to retire in five years.

NOTE
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Think, expect, believe, doubt, hope etc.

After think, expect, believe, doubt the Future Simple is used with future reference.

I don't think he'll come tonight.

After hope we can use both the Future Simple or the Present Simple.

I hope it won’t rain tomorrow.

I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.

Revision questions
• Which present tense(s) can refer to future time?
• What is the difference between the Present Continuous tense and the going to structure when used to
refer to future time?
• Which structure or tense can be used to express a plan that has been decided before the moment of
speaking?
• What does it mean that the prediction expressed by the Future Simple tense is subjective?
• For what meaning can we use both the Present Continuous and the Future Continuous tenses?
• Can any future tense refer to past time?