FUTURE TIME

% probability
(before
speaking) of
event
happening structure used for example
0% will no plan Don't get up. I'll
answer the
phone.

70% going to intention We're going to

watch TV
tonight.
90% present plan I'm taking my
continuous exam in June.

99.999% present simple schedule My plane takes

off at 6.00am
tomorrow.
PRESENT CONTINUOUS FUTURE
Use for a fixed arrangement in the future e.g. an event already
written in a diary. We use the present continuous only when a plan
exists before we speak.
I'm coming back next Thursday
We're having a party next Friday. Would you like to come?
Note that there is usually a time reference.
What are you doing next week?
PRESENT SIMPLE
When an event is on a schedule or timetable (for example, the take-
off time for a plane), we often use the present simple to express
the future.
The conference begins on Tuesday at 10.00.
The train leaves Detroit at 9pm tonight.
WILL + VERB/ WILL + BE
We use will when there is no prior plan or decision to do
something before we speak. We make the decision at the time
of speaking.
I will be in London tomorrow.
We will see what we can do to help you.
We often use will to make a prediction about the future.
Again, there is no firm plan. We are saying what we think will
happen. Here are some examples:
People won't go to Jupiter before the 22nd century.
The meeting will be at 9.30 am.
GOING TO
We use the special going to construction when we have the
intention to do something before we speak. We have already made
a decision before speaking.
I have won $1,000. I am going to buy a new TV.
We're not going to see my mother tomorrow.
We often use going to to make a prediction about the future. Our
prediction is based on evidence. We are saying what seems sure to
happen.
The sky is very black. It is going to snow.
It's 8.30! You're going to miss the train!
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
will + be + -ing
Use future continuous
to describe an activity in progress in the future, with a time
reference.
This time next week I’ll be starting at my new school.
What will you be doing in ten years' time?
 FUTURE PERFECT
will + have + past participle
Use future perfect
to look back from the future to an earlier event, often with by or by
the time.
By the time we get home, the match will have begun.
FUTURE TIME CLAUSES FOLLOWING TIME WORDS

A future time clause follows a time word or phrase.

after as as soon as before
by the time until when

In sentences referring to the future, the verb following the time

word or phrase is present simple, and the main verb is a will-
future.
By the time we reach the station, it will be too late.
FUTURE TIME CLAUSES FOLLOWING TIME WORDS
When we emphasize completion or achievement, we can use a
present perfect simple verb instead of a present simple verb.

We'll let you know when we have reached a decision.

 CHOOSE THE CORRECT FORM
a. 'Be careful with that test tube. It will break / it breaks.'
b. 'The egg is cracking. The baby bird will come out / is
going to come out / comes out.'
c. 'Can you hurry up please. The film will start / is going to
start / starts.'
d. 'Carry this very carefully.' 'Don't worry, I’m not dropping
it / I won 't drop it.'
e. 'We're playing / We’ll play football this afternoon. Do
you want to play too?'
 CHOOSE THE CORRECT FORM
f. 'This dictionary costs €50, but the red one is cheaper.‘
'Ok, I’ll take / I’m taking / I’m going to take the red one.'
g. 'Have you decided about next year yet?‘
'Yes, I’m studying / I’m going to study / I’ll study
journalism. Well, that's the plan anyway.'
h. 'Ok, bye for now.‘ 'Bye, I’ll see you / I’m going to see
you / I’m seeing you at the same time on Friday.'
ANSWERS
a. will break
b. is going to come out
c. is going to start
d. I won't drop it.
e. We're playing
f. I'll take
g. I'm going to study
h. I‘ll see you
PUT THE VERB IN WILL OR PRESENT SIMPLE
The Sun (a) (continue) ___much as it is today until it (b) (enter) ___ red
giant phase in 4 to 5 billon years. Then, the core (c) (grow) ___
smaller and hotter until it finally (d) (finish) ___ burning the fuel in its
nuclear core. When this (e) (occur) ___ the core (f) (become) ___ 50
dense that helium fusion will begin. When the helium atoms (g)
(collide) ___, they (h) (form) ___ carbon (from 3 helium atoms) and
oxygen (from 4 helium atoms).
When this process I (begin) ___ the Sun j (produce) ___
enormous amounts of energy The Sun k (grow) ___
larger as this energy l (increase) It m (be) ___ over a
hundred times its present size by the time it n (stop) ___
growing. This is why we use the term red giant. As the
Sun o (expand) ___ ,it is probable that it p (absorb) ___
the Earth. When the Sun q (use) ___ up all its energy, it r
(become) ___ a small white dwarf, and s (not make) ___
any more energy. After a few billion years, when it is
completely cool, it t (be) ___ just a cold dark object.
a will continue k will grow
b enters l increases
c will grow m will be
d finishes n stops
e occurs o expands
f will become p will absorb
g collide q uses
h will form r will become
i begins s won't make
j will produce t will be