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?' 'Next month.'

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

* My train leaves at 9.30. (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.)

* Are you going to watch the film on television tonight?

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 promise I won't tell anybody what happened. (won't =will not)

3.3 Future happenings and situations

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

* I don't think John is happy in his job. 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 and 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')

* You must come and see us when you are in England again. (not 'when you will be')

* If we don't huffy, we'll be late.