The Future

We talk about future events, actions and states in several ways - we make predictions, give information, take decisions, report about plans and arrangements, express intentions, etc.

Unlike many other languages, English requires different verb structures for these ways of speaking about the future.

In some situations two or even more structures are possible with similar meaning, but, generally speaking,
there are some very clear basic distinctions:

For future events and actions that have some present
reality - such as present evidence, fixed plans, personal arrangements, intentions or decisions that have already been taken, or fixed schedules - we use the structures of the present tense: present progressive or simple and the form
"be going to".

On the other hand, when we express expectations, make predictions or give
information about the future without present reality, announce a decision as we make it,
or give promises, we use the structures
with the verb "will".

It is convenient to categorize all these ways of talking about the future according to the attitude
the speaker has to what she or he is saying:

NEUTRAL ATTITUDE	STRONG ATTITUDE	WEAK ATTITUDE
The speaker reports future events impersonally, renouncing personal beliefs, calculations, expectations, etc.	The speaker is certain about what is going to happen because there is some present evidence for it.	There is always some uncertainty about what the speaker is saying, because it is not based on obvious evidence.

ARRANGED ACTIVITIES	PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

When we talk about personal arrangements in the future, we use the present progressive. In fact, we report on the actions which have already been arranged for the future.

			TOP

FIXED PLANS AND INTENTIONS	BE GOING TO + INFINITIVE FORM

We use "be going to + infinitive" when we talk about plans for the future, or intentions based on decisions that have already been taken.

A JOKE

			TOP

MAKING A DECISION	WILL + INFINITIVE FORM

We use "will + infinitive" when we tell people about a decision as we make it. By contrast, when we report a desicion we have already made, we use "be going to"!

A JOKE

			TOP

PREDICTIONS - "INTERPRETING SIGNS"	BE GOING TO + INFINITIVE FORM

We use "be going to + infinitive" when we make predictions based on obvious outside present evidence, i.e. when we interpret signs.

A JOKE

			TOP

PREDICTIONS WITHOUT PRESENT EVIDENCE	WILL + INFINITIVE FORM

When there is no obvious present evidence, and our predictions and expectations are based on what we know or believe, we use "will + infinitive". Very often these sentences include I think, I hope, I guess or probably and maybe, or even I'm sure.
A JOKE

			TOP

GIVING / ASKING FOR INFORMATION 1	WILL + INFINITIVE FORM

We use "will + infinitive" to give or ask for information about the future when there is no reason to use the present progressive or going to, because we are interested in facts in the first place.
In this meaning "will" frequently appears in newspapers (example), signs and in more formal speech situations such as news broadcasts, speeches and announcements.

			TOP

GIVING / ASKING FOR INFORMATION 2	FUTURE PROGRESSIVE FORM

When referring to future events which are fixed or decided, or which are expected to happen in the normal course of events, we use the future progressive (will + be + _ing). This is a very neutral way of talking about the future - without suggesting the idea of the speaker's personal intention.

			TOP

ACTIONS IN PROGRESS IN THE FUTURE	FUTURE PROGRESSIVE FORM

We use the future progressive to say that something will be in progress at a particular time in the future. Consequently, it is used to talk about or to predict future developments, trends or tendencies.
People will be living longer in the future.

			TOP

ARRANGED EVENTS (IN TIMETABLES,...)	PRESENT SIMPLE

We use the present simple when we talk about events in the future which are part of a timetable, schedule, programme or itinerary. The speaker generally cannot change these arrangements.

			TOP

PRESENT TENSE REFERRING TO THE FUTURE IN SUBORDINATE CLAUSES
Since the main verb of the sentence - WILL + VERB - makes it clear that the speaker is talking about the future, it is not necessary to be indicated again in the subordinate clause. That's why the present tense is used in the subordinate clause after when, until, after, before, as soon as, if, whether, where, wherever, what.	I'll phone you He'll tell me You'll find McDonald's I'll come She'll tell me It will be interesting to see I'll go	when as soon as wherever if what whether where	I arrive. it's ready. you go. I finish on time. she finds out. she recognises me. you go.

			TOP

INTERPERSONAL MEANINGS	WILL / SHALL / FUTURE PROGRESSIVE

A promise can be given with "will".	Don't worry. I'll look after them carefully.
An order can be expressed with "will". (an anecdote) close	Will you do the shopping today, please?
A polite enquiry about people's plans can be expressed with the future progressive.	Will you be doing the shopping today? Will you be staying in?
We use "shall" to ask for instructions or decisions, to offer services and to make suggestions.	Shall I open the window? Shall we go out for a meal?
We use "won't" or "will not" to refuse.	Listen! I won't do it.

			TOP