GRAMMAR REVIEW: FUTURE TENSES

FUTURE SIMPLE
(+) Subj + WILL + V (infinitive) + Compl.
The council will install TV cameras.

(-) Subj + WON’T + V (infinitive) + Compl.

FORM Other shops won’t copy the idea.

(?) Wh- + WILL + Subj + V (infinitive) + Compl?

When will your parents be back from work?

1. Predictions about the future.

Some people will accept the authorities’ decisions. Others
will not accept it.

*With the verbs think, hope, guess, suppose, expect

I think people will love this new shop.
I hope it won’t rain tomorrow.
2. Spontaneous decisions, taken at the time of speaking.
“I’m going shopping.”
“Are you? I’ll go with you”

“The phone is ringing.”

“I’ll answer it”

“I’m getting tired.”

“I’ll take a taxi.”
3. Promises, warnings and offers
USE I won’t let you down. I promise.
I’ll drive you home. It’s raining cats and dogs!
You are making too much noise. You’ll wake the baby.

*Shall (1st person singular and plural)

Shall we go to the cinema this afternoon?
Shall I open the window?
4. 1st conditional
If you don’t work hard, you’ll fail your exam.
Unless you work hard, you’ll fail your exam.

5. After temporal clauses

When I see her, I’ll give her the book.
As soon as he leaves the room, I’ll stop working.
Until there are more shops, normal shops will continue to
do good business.
Will you have time to see me before you go?
Will you help me after your class?
 BE GOING TO
(+) Subj + BE (present) + GOING TO + V (infinitive) + Compl.
They are going to leave the house soon.
She is going to paint the house all by herself.

(-) Subj + BE (present neg.) + GOING TO + V (infinitive) + Compl.

FORM
She isn’t going to do that.

(?) Wh- + BE + Subj + GOING TO + V (infinitive) + Compl?

Why are you going to complain about the cameras?

1. Intentions and plans for the near future.

I’m not going to vote for these people again.
I’m going to learn to drive next year.
Are you going to behave next time?
Where are you going to travel next summer?

USE *With the verb go

I’m going to go to Australia next week.
I’m going to Australia next week.
2. Predictions based on present evidence.
“Oh no! Look at that car. It’s going to have an accident.”
Mary is pregnant. She’s going to have a baby.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS
1. Immediate plans and personal appointments or
arrangements.
I’m having a party tonight. Are you coming?
USE *ALSO: I’m going to have a party.
I’m leaving to Venice tomorrow morning. We are meeting
outside the cinema.

PRESENT SIMPLE
1. Timetables and programmes (theatre, festival…).
The play starts at 8 o’clock.
I have English next Monday morning.
USE
The train arrives at 9.15.
Tomorrow is Friday, 27th January.