The future tenses
1. Future Simple
Let’s start with the basics. The future simple is used to talk about a time later than
now and can be used in lots of different ways.
Form
Uses and examples
Instant or spontaneous decisions – I’m hungry. I think I’ll make a sandwich.
Future predictions based on a belief – I’m sure you’ll pass the test.
Promises – I won’t tell anyone your secret.
Offers – I’ll carry your bags for you.
Requests – Will you tell Henry I called?
Threats – If you do that again, I’ll tell Mum.
Future facts – I’ll be back later tonight.
Shall
We can use shall instead of will for future time references with I and we. However, it is
slightly more formal.
E.g. We shall never forget this beautiful day.
It is also common to use shall in questions to make offers, suggestions or ask for
advice.
E.g. Shall I carry these bags for you?
Shall I open the window?
What shall I tell Mary about the broken vase?
Be going to vs will
It’s important to note that for predictions based on evidence and for future plans we
use be going to not will.
E.g. Look at those grey clouds. It’s definitely going to rain!
– What are you doing after work?
– I’m going to the gym.
2. Future continuous
Generally, we use this tense to talk about things in progress at a particular time in the
future.
Form
The structure of the future continuous is as follows: will/won’t + be + ing form
Uses and examples
An action in progress at a specific time in the future (at 5pm, this time
tomorrow, in two weeks, in five years time etc.). This time tomorrow, I’ll be
flying to Barbados.
An action we see as new or temporary. I’ll be working for my Dad until I find a
new job.
Predictions or guesses about future events. He’ll be coming to the party, I
guess.
Predictions about the present. She’ll be getting married right now, I imagine.
Polite enquiries. Will you be joining us for dinner?
Stative verbs
It’s important to remember that some verbs cannot be used in the continuous tense.
These are called stative verbs. Stative verbs describe states, feelings, thoughts and
opinions. Instead of the future continuous, we use the future simple tense for these
verbs. Here are some examples:
Activity
What will you be doing…?
3. Future perfect
The future perfect is used to talk about a completed action in the future. Here’s a look
at the form:
Form
The form of the future perfect is will/won’t + have + past participle.
Uses and examples
An action that will be completed before a specific time in the future. Next
September, we’ll have been married for 50 years.
Use by or by the time to mean some time before. I’ll have finished this report
by the time you’re home.
Use in, in a day’s time, in two weeks’ time, in three months’ time etc. to mean
at the end of this period. In three years’ time, I’ll have completed my degree.
4. Future perfect continuous
We use the future perfect continuous to show that something will continue up until a
particular event in the future. We normally use it to emphasise how long something
will have been happening for.
Form
The form of the future perfect continuous is will/won’t + have + been + ing (present
participle)
Uses and examples
To show that something will continue up until a particular event in the
future. In October, I’ll have been working here for ten years.
To show something finished just before another time action (cause and
effect). When I arrive, I’ll have been working all day, so I’ll be tired.
With time expressions (by + then / tomorrow / next year etc., by the time,
when). By the time we arrive, we’ll have been travelling for fifteen hours.
Activity
Look at these five photos of people with different professions. Write down sentences
using the future perfect continuous to describe what they will have been doing four
hours into their work shift. E.g. They will have been cooking for four hours.
