Present simple Present continuous Be going to Future simple Future perfect simple Future continuous

We use the present simple to talk about timetabled future events.

The time or date when some things happen is decided in advance, usually by something like a timetable or the calendar.

• Our plane leaves at 4 a.m.

• Our exams start on 20th May.

• Christmas Day falls on Wednesday.

When we have made some arrangements, e.g. bought a ticket, agreed to meet somebody, we often use the present continuous.

• I am meeting Helen tomorrow outside the library.

• We’re flying to Los Angeles and staying in a great hotel.

We often state the future time with the present continuous.

next weekend, this summer, tomorrow, …

When we want to tell somebody about our plans and intentions, we often use be going to.

• I am going to apply for a job at that new factory.

• I am going to be a teacher when I finish university.

(NOT I am being a teacher …)

We don’t normally use the present continuous for talking about intentions. However, the difference between an intention and an arrangement can be quite small, so you could be using be going to in both of the following situations.

• I am meeting Helen tomorrow outside the library.

= I am going to meet Helen tomorrow outside the library.

• We’re flying to Los Angeles and staying in a great hotel this year.

= We’re going to fly to Los Angeles and staying in a great hotel this year.

We also use be going to to talk about predictions based on evidence we know or can see.

• It is going to snow later.

(I can see the clouds)

• Be careful with these glasses. You’re going to let them fall. (A woman is bringing a tray with some glasses on it and she is wearing high heels)

We use the future simple (will):

Predictions not based on present evidence:

One day people will have holidays on Mars.

To make an offer, promise and refusals:

Don’t worry. I’ll help you.

I’ll return your book as soon as I’ve read it.

No, I won’t do your homework for you.

Unplanned decisions that we make at the time we

we are speaking:

I’ll take this one. This is the most beautiful dress!

We use the future perfect simple to talk about actions which will be finished by a certain time in the future.

Form:

Subject + will + have + past participle (+)

Subject + will not (won’t) + have + past participle (-)

Will + subject + have + past participle (?)

• By the end of the day, she

will have sent ten emails.

• By next week, I will have taken my French exam.

• By Christmas, Myriam will have read six books.

We use the future continuous to talk about an action that will be in progress at a certain time in the future.

Form:

Subject + will + be + -ing form (+)

Subject + will not (won’t) + be + -ing form (-)

Will + subject + be + -ing form (?)

• I will be playing tennis at 10am tomorrow.

• They won't be watching TV at 9pm tonight.

• This time next week

I will be sun-bathing in Bali.

We can also use the future continuous to talk about future arrangements which are already planned.

• I will be meeting Helen tomorrow outside the library.

• We’ll be flying to Los Angeles and staying in a great hotel this year.

Adapted from: BARRACLOUGH, Carolyn, RODERICK, Megan. Activate! B1+: Student’s Book. England: Pearson-Longman, 2008. Pages 167-168. Laser Pre-FCE Grammar Bank. Macmillan.