Expressing the future time
Ways of expressing future time
In English we can use different verb forms to talk about something happening in the future. There are different types of forms that are used to express the future
- Will-future
- Going to-future
- Present progressive
- Simple present
- Future progressive
- Future perfect
In the following text I’ll explain these different types of expressing future time.
Will-future
We form the will-future with will + infinitive (without to).
We usually use the short ‘ll and won’t, which is the short form of will not.
I will write.
He/She/It will write.
We/You/They will write.
I will not write.
He/She/It will not write.
We/You/They will not write.
Will I write?
Will he/she/it write?
Will we/you/they write?
The will-future is used when you want to make a prediction or an assumption about the future. It is often used when talking about things, that cannot be controled.
Some common expressions used with this structure are
I think, I’m sure, I suppose, I believe, I expect, I hope, perhaps, probably
Examples:
I’m sure the weather will be hot in the next few days.
Es wird heiß werden in den nächsten Tagen.
You‘ll probably find this helpful.
The will-future is also used when making a spontaneous decision, especially an offer or a promise.
Examples:
Don’t worry. I won’t forget your party.
Oh no, it’s raining! I‘ll lend you my umbrella.
Ich leihe dir meinen Regenschirm.
Going to-future
The going to-future is formed with am/is/are going to + infinitive
I am going to write.
He/She/It is going to write.
We/You/They are going to write.
I am not going to write.
He/She/It is not going to write.
We/You/They are not going to write.
Am I going to write?
Is he/she/it going to write?
Are we/you/they going to write?
The going to future is used to talk about intentions or plans for the future.
Example:
I’m going to be a teacher when I grow up.
What are you going to do tomorrow?
The going to-future is also used when you want to say something that will very probably happen, because there are already signs of it happening.
Example:
Do you see the clouds? It’s going to rain soon!
Present progressive
The present progressive is used when you say something that is definitely planned or arranged for the future.
It must be clear from the context or from the use of a phrase of future time that you are talking about the future.
Example:
Do you want to go to the party this evening?
Sorry, I‘m visiting my grandma.
I’m having birthday party on Saturday.
All my friends are coming.
Simple present
The simple present is used when you say that a future event is a fixed part of a timetable, programme, schedule or suchlike.
Arrive, open, close, start or stop are often used in this way as a verb.
Example:
The school starts on Monday.
The next train arrives at 3.15.
Future progressive
The future progressive is formed with will be + -ing form.
Usually the short forms ‘ll and won’t are used.
I will be writing.
He/She/It will be writing.
We/You/They will be writing.
I will not be writing.
He/She/It will not be writing.
We/You/They will not be writing.
Will I be writing?
Will he/she/it be writing?
Will we/you/they be writing?
This form is used for actions or events which will be in progress at a point of time in the future.
The action or event has begun before the point of time and may possibly continue after it.
Example:
A week today I‘ll be sitting in school.
We‘ll be having breakfast at this time.
The future progressive is also used to say that something will happen, because it normally happens, or that it will happen in any case, without being specially planned.
Example:
We‘ll be playing basketball next weekand, as usual.
Future perfect
The future perfect is formed with will have + past participle.
I will be have written.
He/She/It will have written.
We/You/They will have written.
I will not have written.
He/She/It will not have written.
We/You/They will not have written.
Will I have written.?
Will he/she/it have written.?
Will we/you/they have written.?
The future progressive is for actions or events, which will be complete at a point of time in the future. The point of time is often mentioned.
Example:
The last train will have left when we get to the station.
Other cases
We cannot always draw exact boundaries between the different verb forms, that are used for the future. In many contexts there is more than one possible form.
Example:
We‘re spending Christmas in Germany.
We‘re going to spend Christmas in Germany.
One day I‘ll be rich and famous.
One day I‘m going to be rich and famous.
Other ways of expressing future time
Besides the different verb forms that are used for the future, there are some other ways of talking about future events.
You can use verbs like
expect to, hope to, want to, would like to,… to say what we think or feel about the future.
Example:
I expect to be at home this weekend.
I hope to get a good grade in the test.
I would like to have a birthday party.
The present tense of be to + infinitive expresses the idea that something is officially arranged for the future.
Be to often occurs in news reports and is also used in shortened form in news headlines.
Exmaple:
The President is to open the exhibition.
Queen to visit Germany.
The present tense of be about to + infinitive or be on the point of + -ing form expresses the idea that something will happen in the very near future.
Example:
She is about to leave.
They are certain to win.
I’m likely to be in school tomorrow.