Expressing the Future
 
There are different ways of expressing the future in English. This lesson will deal with four of these methods:
  1. Future simple
  2. Present simple
  3. Present progressive
  4. Future with (be going to)
.
1- Future simple is formed by using [subject] + [will] + [base form]
The following are examples using the verb [eat].
Affirmative Negative Question
I will eat I will not eat Will I eat?
You will eat You will not eat Will you eat?
He/she/it will eat He/she/it will not eat Will he/she/it eat?
We will eat We will not eat Will we eat?
You will eat (plural) You will not eat Will you eat?
They will eat They will not eat Will they eat?

We use the future simple:
to ask for information about the future.
  • Will Ahmad bring food with him?
  • Will you be here on time?
to give information about the future.
  • Ahmad will bring the soda with him.
  • He will be here tomorrow.
for scheduled events.
  • The meeting will begin at 8 a.m.
  • When will the class start?
to predict future events that are not certain.
  • He won't be here on time.
  • It will rain today.
to make promises for the future.
  • I'll (I will) help you tomorrow..
  • I'll see you later.
when we refuse to do something.
  • I will not clean the dishes.
  • I will not drink.
when we volunteer to do something.
  • Someone is at the door. I'll get it
  • There is no sugar left. I'll buy some.
in formal situations to express planned events.
  • The party will start at 9.00 pm.
  • The bus will leave tomorrow morning.
to force someone to do something.
  • You will clean the dishes now.
  • You will go to bed at 7.
*** We mainly use [shall] with I and we to make a suggestion or an offer.
  • Shall I bring some food?
  • Shall we go?

2- Present simple is formed by using [subject] + [base form]
The following are examples using the verb [arrive].
Affirmative Negative Question
I arrive at 9 am.. I don't arrive at 9 am.. Do I arrive at 9 am.?
You arrive at 9 am.. You don't arrive at 9 am.. Do you arrive at 9 am.?
He/she/it arrives at 9 am.. He/she/it doesn't arrive at 9 am.. Does he/she/it arrive at 9 am.?
We arrive at 9 am.. We don't arrive at 9 am.. Do we arrive at 9 am.?
You arrive at 9 am.. (plural) You don't arrive at 9 am.. Do you arrive at 9 am.?
They arrive at 9 am.. They don't arrive at 9 am.. Do they arrive at 9 am.?

We use the present simple:
to talk about future timetables, itineraries and so on.
  • The bus leaves at 8 am.
  • The movie starts at 6.

3- Present progressive is formed by using [subject] + [be] + [-ing form]
The following are examples using the verb [swim].
Affirmative Negative Question
I am swimming tomorrow. I am not swimming tomorrow. Am I swimming tomorrow?
You are swimming tomorrow. You are not swimming tomorrow. Are you swimming tomorrow?
He/she/it is swimming tomorrow. He/she/it is not swimming tomorrow. Is he/she/it swimming tomorrow?
We are swimming tomorrow. We are not swimming tomorrow. Are we swimming tomorrow?
You are swimming tomorrow. (plural) You are not swimming tomorrow. Are you swimming tomorrow?
They are swimming tomorrow. They are not swimming tomorrow. Are they swimming tomorrow?

We use the present progressive:
to talk about future arrangements
  • He's quitting at the end of the week.
  • I'm meeting my friend tonight.

4- Be Going To is formed by using [subject] + [be] + [going to] + [base form] .
The following are examples using the verb [swim].
Affirmative Negative Question
I am going to swim tomorrow. I am not going to swim tomorrow. Am I going to swim tomorrow?
You are going to swim tomorrow. You are not going to swim tomorrow. Are you going to swim tomorrow?
He/she/it is going to swim tomorrow. He/she/it is not going to swim tomorrow. Is he/she/it going to swim tomorrow?
We are going to swim tomorrow. We are not going to swim tomorrow. Are we going to swim tomorrow?
You are going to swim tomorrow. (plural) You are not going to swim tomorrow. Are you going to swim tomorrow?
They are going to swim tomorrow. They are not going to swim tomorrow. Are they going to swim tomorrow?

We use [going to]:
for plans or decisions made before the time of speaking.
  • She is going to quit next week.
  • We are going to buy a new house.
when we talk about future predictions based on evidence.
  • It's cloudy. I think it's going to rain.
  • He bought a ring. I think he is going to ask her to marry him.

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