The Future
There are several ways of talking about the future English : the Simple Future Tense, the going to form, the Simple Present Tense etc.
Simple future tense
The Simple Future Tense is used to talk about things which we cannot control it expresses the future as fact.
I shall be twenty next Saturday.
It will be Diwali in a week.
We will know our exam results in May.
We use this tense to talk about what we think or believe will happen in future.
I think Pakistan will win the match.
I’m sure Helen will get a first class.
As in the above sentences, we often use this tense with I think, and I’m sure. We also say I expect, I believe, probably, etc.
We can use this tense when we decide to do something at a time of speaking
It is raining. I will take an umbrella
‘’Mr. Hary is very busy at the moment ‘’ ‘’ All right I’ll wait ‘’
Going to
We use the going to form ( be going to + base of the verb) when we have decided to do something before talking about it
‘’ Have you decided what to do? ‘’ - Yes I am going to resign the job ‘’
‘’ Why do you want to sell your motorbike?’’- ‘’ I am going to buy a car ‘’
Remember that if the action is already decided upon and preparations have been made , we should use the going to form, not the Simple Future Tense. The Simple Future Tense is used for an instant decision.
We also use the going to form to talk about what seems likely or certain, when there is something in the present which tells us about future.
It is going to rain, look at those clouds.
The boat is full of water. It is going to sink
She is going to have a baby
The going to form may also express an action which is on point of happing
Be about to
Be about to + base form can also be used for the immediate future.
Let’s get into the train, It’s about to leave.
Don’t go out now. We are about to have lunch.
Simple Present Tense
The Simple Present Tense is used for official programmes and timetables.
The college opens on 23rd June.
The film starts at 6 .30 and finishes at 9.00 When does the next train leave for Chennai ?
The Simple Present is often used for future time in clauses. With if, unless, when, while, as (=while) before, after, until, by the time and as soon as. The Simple Future Tense is not used in such cases.
I won’t go out if it rains. (not: will rain)
Can I have some milk before I go to bed ?
Let’s wait till he finishes his work.
Please ring me up as soon as he comes.
Present Continuous Tense
We use the Present Continuous Tense when we talk about something that we have planned to do in the future.
I am going to Colombo tomorrow
We are eating out tonight
Mr. Obama is arriving this evening.
You are advised to use the Present Continuous ( not the Simple Present) for personal arrangements.
Future Continuous Tense
We use the Future Continuous Tense to talk about actions which will be in progress at a time in the future.
I suppose it will be raining when we start.
This time tomorrow I will be sitting on the beach in Singapore.
‘’ Can I see you at 5 o’clock? ‘’ - ‘’ Please don’t come then.
I will be watching the tennis match on TV ‘’.
We also use this tense to talk about actions in the future which are already planned or which are expected to happen in the normal course of things.
I will be staying here till Sunday
He will be meeting us next week.
The postman will be coming soon.
Be to
We use be to + base form to talk about official plans and arrangements.
The Prime Minister is to visit America next month
The conference is to discuss ‘’ Nuclear Tests ‘’
Be to is used in formal style, often in new reports. Be is usually left out in headlines, e.g.’’ Prime Minister to visit America ‘’
Future Perfect Tense
The Future Perfect Tense is used to talk about actions that will be completed by a certain Future time.
I shall have written my exercise by then.
He will have left before you go to see her.
By the end this month. I will have worked here for five years.
Future Perfect Continuous Tense.
The Future Prefect Continuous tense is used for actions which will be in progress over a period of time that will end in the future.
By next March we shall have been living here for four years.
I’ll have been teaching for twenty years next July.
This tense is not very common
End of the lesson for Tenses in English Present, Past and Future Tense and Four Patterns of the Tenses. Thank you for watching my Blogs
