FUTURE TENSES:

Future tenses fourThere are four “future tenses” in English: oFuture simple oFuture continuous oFuture perfect simple oFuture perfect continuous

Future tenses otherBut there are other verb forms and tenses we use to talk about the future: oBe going to oPresent simple oPresent continuous oMight/ May

Future simple: uses I think he’ll fail the exam. Why are we using the future simple here?

Future simple: uses FUTURE PREDICTIONS WITHOUT EVIDENCE

Future simple: uses I’ll go to bed now. I’ll pay you back tomorrow. I’ll give you a hand with the washing-up. Why are we using the future simple here?

Future simple: uses FUTURE INTENTION/DECISION MADE AT THE MOMENT OF SPEAKING. So it’s used with: - promises: I’ll pay you back tomorrow. -offers: I’ll give you a hand with the washing-up. Shall I help you? - suggestions: Shall we go to the cinema tonight? - requests: Will you marry me? - refusals: I won’t tell you anything.

Future simple: uses The sun will rise at 6.30 tomorrow. Christmas day will fall on Tuesday this year. Why are we using the future simple here?

Future simple: uses FUTURE FACTS The present simple is also possible: The sun rises at 6.30 tomorrow. Christmas day falls on Tuesday this year.

Future simple: uses If I pass this exam, I’ll have a party. Why are we using the future simple here?

Future simple: uses IN FIRST CONDITIONAL CLAUSES (in the main clause)

Future continuous: uses Come round in the morning. I’ll be painting the kitchen. Why are we using the future continuous here?

Future continuous: uses ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL BE IN PROGRESS IN THE FUTURE

Future continuous: uses Come round whenever you like. I’ll be looking after the kids all day. Why are we using the future continuous here?

Future continuous: uses UNPLANNED ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL BE IN PROGRESS IN THE FUTURE (the activity is normally done so it’s predicted to be happening in the future)

Future perfect simple: uses By next Christmas we’ll have been here for 8 years. The builders will have finished the roof by Saturday. Why are we using the future perfect here?

Future perfect simple: use ACTIVITIES THAT WILL HAVE (NOT) FINISHED BEFORE A FUTURE TIME

Future perfect continuous: use By the end of next month I’ll have been living here for ten years. Why are we using the future perfect continuous here?

ACTIVITIES THAT WILL HAVE (NOT) FINISHED BEFORE A FUTURE TIME (= future perfect, but there is emphasis on how long the activity will have been going on) By the end of next month I’ll have been living here for ten years. Future perfect continuous:use

Future tenses otherThere are other verb forms and tenses we use to talk about the future: oBe going to oPresent simple oPresent continuous oMight/ May

Be going to: uses Sandra’s going to have another baby in June. Look at the sky. It’s going to rain. Why are we using the be going to form here?

Be going to: uses FUTURE PREDICTIONS WITH EVIDENCE

Be going to: uses A: What are you going to do when you finish school? B: I’m going to work for my father. Why are we using the be going to form here?

Be going to: uses PREMEDITATED FUTURE INTENTION/DECISION

Present simple: uses The plane leaves at The sun rises at 5.20 tomorrow. Why are we using the present simple here?

Present simple: uses IN FUTURE FIXED EVENTS ON A TIMETABLE, CALENDAR, ETC.

Present simple: uses When you arrive, phone me. If I pass this exam, I’ll have a party. Why are we using the present simple here?

Present simple: uses TO REFER TO FUTURE TIME: -IN TIME CLAUSES -IN FIRST CONDITIONALS

Present continuous: uses I’m meeting Bill at We’re staying in a small hotel for a week. Why are we using the present continuous here?

Present continuous: uses FUTURE PERSONAL PLANS (=be going to for premeditated intentions)

MAY/ MIGHT: uses Take your umbrella. It may/might rain. Why are we using may/might here?

MAY/ MIGHT: uses FUTURE POSSIBILITY

FUTURE TENSES Created by: Carmen Luisa Pérez Amaro