Languages › English as a Second Language Various Future Forms for English Learners Share Flipboard Email Print Caiaimage/Martin Barraud/Getty Images English as a Second Language Grammar Pronunciation & Conversation Vocabulary Writing Skills Reading Comprehension Business English Resources for Teachers By Kenneth Beare Kenneth Beare English as a Second Language (ESL) Expert TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music Kenneth Beare is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and course developer with over three decades of teaching experience. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on April 18, 2019 There are a number of future forms in English, just as there are different forms for the past and present. Let's take a look at examples of the four different forms: Simple Future, Future Continuous, Future Perfect, and Future Perfect Continuous used to speak in English about the future. Peter will be at work tomorrow. - Future SimpleShe's going to travel to Hong Kong next month.- Future with Going toJennifer will have finished the report by ten tomorrow. - Future PerfectDoug will be enjoying a good book at this time next week.- Future ContinuousI will have been working for six hours by the time I finish this. - Future Perfect Continuous The following article takes a look at each of these forms, as well as some variations in future tense usage with clear examples to help explain the use of each. Listed below are examples, uses, and formation of Future Forms. Uses of the Future With 'Will' The future with 'will' is used for a number of situations: 1. Used for Predictions It will snow tomorrow.She won't win the election. 2. Used for Scheduled Events The concert will begin at 8 o'clock.When will the train leave? Used for scheduled events 3. Used for Promises Will you marry me?I'll help you with your homework after class 4. Used for Offers I'll make you a sandwich.They'll help you if you want. 5. Used in Combination with Time Clauses (as soon as, when, before, after) He will telephone as soon as he arrives.Will you visit me when you come next week? Uses of the Future With Going To 1. Used for Plans The future with 'going to' is used to express planned events or intentions. These events or intentions are decided on before the moment of speaking. Frank is going to study Medicine.Where are they going to stay when they come?She isn't going to buy the new house afterall. Note: 'Going to' or '-ing' are often both correct for planed events. 'Going to' should be used for distant future intentions (example: He's going to study Law) 2. Used for Future Predictions Based on Physical Evidence. Oh no! Look at those clouds. It's going to rain.Be careful! You're going to drop those dishes! Use of Future Continuous Use the future continuous to speak about what will be happening at a specific time in the future. She will be sleeping at 11:30.Tom will be having a good time this time tomorrow. Use of Future Perfect Use the future perfect to speak about what will have been finished by a time in the future. I will have finished the book by tomorrow.Angela will have fond a new job by the end of the year. Use of the Future Perfect Continuous Use the future perfect continuous to speak about how long something will have been happening up to a point of time in the future. They will have been studying for five hours by six o'clock.Mary will have been playing golf for five hours by the time she finishes. Uses of Present Continuous for the Future It's also possible to use the present continuous for planned or personally scheduled events. Usually used with principle verbs such as: come, go, begin, start, finish, have, etc. Note: 'Going to' or '-ing' are often both correct for planned events. 'Going to' should be used for distant future intentions (example: He's going to study Law) He's coming tomorrow afternoon.What are we having for dinner?I'm not seeing the doctor until Friday. Common future time expressions include: next (week, month, year), tomorrow, in X's time (amount of time, i.e. two week's time), in year, time clauses (when, as soon as, before, after) simple present (example: I will telephone as soon as I arrive) soon, later. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Beare, Kenneth. "Various Future Forms for English Learners." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/future-forms-in-grammar-1211136. Beare, Kenneth. (2020, August 28). Various Future Forms for English Learners. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/future-forms-in-grammar-1211136 Beare, Kenneth. "Various Future Forms for English Learners." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/future-forms-in-grammar-1211136 (accessed June 9, 2023). copy citation