1.

Use of Future Tenses in English

will-future going to-future Simple Present Present Progressive Future Progressive Future Perfect

planned action
prediction
in the future
, assumption action will definitely sth. will already have
future action is fixed planned action in the
happen (it usually happened before a certain time
logical (e.g. timetable) near future
spontaneo happens) in the future
consequence (sth. is going
us action
to happen)

There is often very little difference between the future tenses. It often depends where you live (in Britain or the USA) and when you use the
sentence (in spoken or written communication).

In newsapapers we often use the will-future, when the going to-future is used in oral communication.

newspaper:
The headmaster will close the old gym.

oral:
The headmaster is going to close the old gym.

We can substitute the going to-future with the Present Progressive when using an expression of time.
She is going to see Frank at the airport at 8.30. = She is seeing Frank at the airport at 8.30.

2. Signal words
There are no unambiguous signal words for the future tenses. That's why you should analyse the actions carefully and then define the tense.

3. Form

will-future going to-future Simple Present Present Progressive Future Progressive Future Perfect

infinitive
to be (am, are, is) to be (am, are, is) will + have + past
will + infinitive 3rd person singular (he, will + be + infinitive + -ing
+ going to + infinitive + infinitive + -ing participle
she, it) infinitive+ -s

4. Examples

4.1. Affirmative sentences

Present
will-future going to-future Simple Present Future Progressive Future Perfect
Progressive

The We are going tofly to The train leaves at I am goingto a They will She will havewritten the
 Present
will-future going to-future Simple Present Future Progressive Future Perfect
Progressive

be playingfootball on
sun will shinetomorrow. Leeds in summer. 6.45. party tonight. letter by tomorrow.
Sunday afternoon.

4.2. Negative sentences

Present
will-future going to-future Simple Present Future Progressive Future Perfect
Progressive

The We are notgoing The

I am notgoing to They will not beplaying footba She will not havewritten th
sun will notshinetomor to fly to Leeds in train does notleave at
a party tonight. ll on Sunday afternoon. e letter by tomorrow.
row. summer. 6.45.

4.3. Questions
 Present
will-future going to-future Simple Present Future Progressive Future Perfect
Progressive

Are we going Does the

Will the Am I goingto a Will they be playingfootball on Will she havewritten the letter
tofly to Leeds in train leaveat
sun shinetomorrow? party tonight? Sunday afternoon. by tomorrow.
summer? 6.45?

1. Use of the Future Perfect

sth. will already have happened before a certain time in the future

2. Form
will + have + past participle

3. Example
I will have written the letter by tomorrow.

1. Use of the Future Progressive

1.1. An action will be in progress at a certain time in the future. This action has begun before the certain time.
1.2. Something happens because it normally happens.

2. Form
will + be + infinitive + ing

3. Examples
3.1. When I come to school, the other kids will be waiting for me.

3.2. We'll be going to the disco on Saturday.

1. Use of the going to-future

1.1. planned actions in the future

We are going to sing at the party.

1.2. You are certain that sth. is going to happen in the future (logical consequence).

Look at that car! It is going to crash into the yellow one.

2. Signal words
no unambiguous ones
3. Form
to be (am, are, is) + going to + infinitive

4. Examples

4.1. Affirmative sentences in the going to-future

Long forms Contracted forms

I am going to play handball. I'm going to play handball.

You are going to play handball. You're going to play handball.

4.2. Negative sentences in the going to-future

Long forms Contracted forms

I am not going to play handball. I'm not going to play handball.

Long forms Contracted forms

You're not going to play handball.

You are not going to play handball.

You aren't going to play handball.

4.3. Questions in the going to-future

Long forms Contracted forms

Am I going to play handball?

not possible

Are you going to play handball?

ATTENTION!!

Do not mix up with the Present Progressive!

going to-future Present Progressive

He's going to read the book. He's reading the book.

1. Use of the Present Progressive

1.1. actions happening at the moment of speaking

Peter is reading a book now.

1.2. fixed plans in the near future

We are going to Basel on Saturday.

1.3. temporary actions

I am working in Rome this month.

1.4. actions happening around the moment of speaking (longer actions)

My friend is preparing for his exams.

 1.5. trends

More and more people are using their computers to listen to music.

1.6. repeated actions which are irritating to the speaker (with always, constantly, forever)

Andrew is always coming late.

2. Signal words
 now

 at the moment
 Look!
 Listen!

3. Form
to be (am, are, is) + Infinitiv + -ing

4. Examples

4.1. Affirmative sentences in the Present Progressive

Long forms Contracted forms

I am playing football. I'm playing football.

You are playing football. You're playing football.

He is playing football. He's playing football.

4.2. Negative sentences in the Present Progressive

Long forms Contracted forms

I am not playing football. I'm not playing football.

You are not playing football. You're not playing football.

Long forms Contracted forms

You aren't playing football.

He's not playing football.

He is not playing football.

He isn't playing football.

4.3. Questions in the Present Progressive

Long forms Contracted forms

Am I playing football? not possible

Are you playing football?

Long forms Contracted forms

Is he playing football?

1. Use of the Simple Present

1.1. repeated actions

My friend often draws nice posters.

1.2. things in general

The sun rises in the east.

1.3. fixed arrangements, scheduled events

The plane flies to London every Monday.

1.4. sequence of actions in the present

First I get up, then I have breakfast.

 1.5. instructions

Open your books at page 34.

1.6. with special verbs

I understand English.

2. Signal words
 every day

 often
 always
 sometimes
 never

3. Form
infinitive (3rd person singular he, she, it: infinitive + -s)

4. Examples

4.1. Affirmative sentences in the Simple Present

Long forms Contracted forms

I read books.

You read books. not possible

He reads books.

4.2. Negative sentences in the Simple Present

You must not negate a full verb in English. Always use the auxiliary do for negations and the infinitive of the verb.

Long forms Contracted forms

I do not clean the room. I don't clean the room.

You do not clean the room. You don't clean the room.
Long forms Contracted forms

He does not clean the room. He doesn't clean the room.

4.3. Questions in the Simple Present

You need the auxiliary do/does and the infinitive of the verb.

Long forms Contracted forms

Do I play football?

Do you play football? not possible

Does he play football?

1. Use of the will-future

1.1. future actions happen without the speaker's intention

The sun will shine tomorrow.

1.2. predictions, assumptions

I think Sue will arrive in Paris at 6 pm.

1.3. spontaneous actions

Hang on! I'll have a word with you.

2. Signal words
no unambiguous ones

3. Form
will + infinitive

4. Examples

4.1. Affirmative sentences in the will-future

Long forms Contracted forms

I will win the match. I'll win the match.

You will win the match. You'll win the match.

He will win the match. He'll win the match.

4.2. Negative sentences in the will-future

Long forms Contracted forms

I'll not win the match.

I will not win the match.

I won't win the match.

Long forms Contracted forms

You'll not win the match.

You will not win the match..

You won't win the match.

He'll not win the match.

He will not win the match.

He won't win the match.

4.3. Questions in the will-future

Long forms Contracted forms

Will I win the match? not possible

Long forms Contracted forms

Will you win the match?

Will he win the match?