Future
When we know about the future, we normally use the present tense.
We use the present simple for something scheduled:
- We have a lesson next Monday.
- The train arrives at 6.30 in the morning.
- The holidays start next week.
- It's my birthday tomorrow.
We can use the present continuous for plans or arrangements:
- I'm playing football tomorrow.
- They are coming to see us tomorrow.
- We're having a party at Christmas.
We use will:
when we express beliefs about the future:
- It will be a nice day tomorrow.
- I think Brazil will win the World Cup.
- I'm sure you will enjoy the film.
to mean want to or be willing to:
- I hope you will come to my party.
- George says he will help us.
to make offers and promises:
- I'll see you tomorrow.
- We'll send you an email.
to talk about offers and promises:
- Tim will be at the meeting.
- Mary will help with the cooking.
We use be going to:
to talk about plans or intentions:
- I'm going to drive to work today.
- They are going to move to Manchester.
to make predictions based on evidence we can see:
- Be careful! You are going to fall. (= I can see that you might fall.)
- Look at those black clouds. I think it's going to rain. (= I can see that it will rain.)
The future in time clauses and if-clauses
In time clauses with words like when, after, until we often use present tense forms to talk about the future:
- I'll come home when I finish work.
- You must wait here until your father comes.
- They are coming after they have had dinner.
In clauses with if we often use present tense forms to talk about the future:
- We won't be able to go out if it is raining.
- If Barcelona lose tomorrow, they will be champions.
But careful!
Although we do not normally use will in time clauses and if-clauses:
- I'll come home when I finish work. (NOT will finish work)
- We won’t be able to go out if it rains. (NOT will rain)
but we can use will if it means want to or be willing to:
- I will be very happy if you will come to my party.
- We should finish the job early if George will help us.
Exercises
Choose the correct form
Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verb in brackets.
- I believe that our team .... (win) the match tomorrow.
- Look at that child! He .... (fall) if he's not careful.
- You must wait here until the manager .... (arrive).
- I'm not sure, but I think the conference .... (be) next month.
- If it .... (rain) tomorrow, we'll cancel the picnic.
- They .... (visit) the museum after they .... (have) lunch.
Use the present simple, present continuous, or "be going to" to complete the sentences
- We .... (have) a meeting at 3 p.m. next Friday.
- I'm tired. I think I .... (go) to bed soon.
- The movie .... (start) at 7 p.m.
- It looks like it .... (be) a sunny day tomorrow.
- She .... (not come) to the party because she's sick.
- Based on those dark clouds, it .... (rain) soon.
Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the if-clauses
- If the train .... (be) late, we'll miss our connection.
- We'll go to the beach if it .... (not rain).
- If she .... (have) time, she will visit her grandparents next weekend.
- You can borrow my car if you .... (return) it by evening.
- If they .... (finish) their work early, they'll join us for dinner.
- I'll be grateful if you .... (help) with the dishes.