Appendix 3 : The future

   3.1   

List of future forms:

• I'm leaving tomorrow.       present continuous (→ Unit 19A)
• My train leaves at 9.30.       present simple (→ Unit 19B)
• I'm going to leave tomorrow.       (be) going to (→ Units 20, 23)
• I'll leave tomorrow.       will (→ Units 21-23)
• I'll be leaving tomorrow.       future continuous (→ Unit 24)
• I'll have left by this time tomorrow.       future perfect (→ Unit 24)
• I hope to see you before I leave tomorrow.       present simple (→ Unit 25)

 

 

   3.2   

Future actions

 

 

We use the present continuous (I'm doing) for arrangements:

• I'm leaving tomorrow. I've got my plane ticket. (already planned and arranged)
• 'When are they getting married?'   'On 24 July.'

 

 

We use the present simple (I leave / it leaves etc.) for timetables, programmes etc. :

• My train leaves at 11.30. (according to the timetable)
• What time does the film begin?

 

 

We use (be) going to ... to say what somebody has already decided to do:

• I've decided not to stay here any longer. I'm going to leave tomorrow. (or I'm leaving tomorrow.)
• 'Your shoes are dirty.'   'Yes, I know. I'm going to clean them.'

 

 

We use will ('ll) when we decide or agree to do something at the time of speaking:

• A: I don't want you to stay here any longer.
  B: OK. I'll leave tomorrow. (B decides this at the time of speaking)
• That bag looks heavy. I'll help you with it.
• I won't tell anybody what happened. I promise. (won't = will not)

 

 

   3.3   

Future happenings and situations

 

 

Most often we use will to talk about future happenings ('something will happen') or situations ('something will be'):

• I don't think John is happy at work. I think he'll leave soon.
• This time next year I'll be in Japan. Where will you be?

 

 

We use (be) going to when the situation now shows what is going to happen in the future:

• Look at those black clouds. It's going to rain. (you can see the clouds now)

 

 

   3.4   

Future continuous and future perfect

 

 

Will be (do)ing = will be in the middle of (doing something):

• This time next week I'll be on holiday. I'll be lying on a beach or swimming in the sea.

 

 

We also use will be-ing for future actions (see Unit 24C):

• What time will you be leaving tomorrow?

 

 

We use will have (done) to say that something will already be complete before a time in the future:

• I won't be here this time tomorrow. I'll have already left.

 

 

   3.5   

We use the present (not will) after when/if/while/before etc. (see Unit 25):

• I hope to see you before I leave tomorrow. (not before I will leave)
• When you are in London again, come and see us. (not When you will be)
• If we don't hurry, we'll be late.