Reference table: future forms and uses (advanced) - R5-02G
Other English Grammar Lessons
To find what you need: type the subject you are looking for into the ‘search’ box >, then click. Highlight, copy and paste into ‘word’ to make this file interactive.
In the following table, the first five rows formed the intermediate-level table of RP3-01G. In this advanced students’ version, we look at the other ways of expressing the future.
|
No: |
function |
language |
My examples |
|
1 |
Plans/intentions |
Am/is/are going + to infinitive |
We’re going to take our holidays later this year. Are you going to sit the exams in June? |
|
2 |
Things which you can see will happen in a moment |
As above▲ |
You’re going to be cold if you go out with no coat! We’re going to be late, hurry up! |
|
3 |
Spur-of-the-moment decisions |
Will (‘ll) + infinitive without to [negative: will not (won’t)] |
‘Actually, I won’t have the lamb, I’ll have the fish.’ ‘It’s just started raining. I’ll give you a lift home.’ |
|
4 |
Natural / public future events |
As 2 above▲ but no contractions in formal usage
|
The Mayor will not open the annual garden party this year. It will soon be the longest day of the year. |
|
5 |
Arrangements |
Am / is are + -ing |
We’re meeting Rosie for tea at 4.30. I’m not having my hair cut until next week. |
|
6 |
Schedules |
Present simple |
We arrive in Avignon at 19.35 local time. United travel to Italy today for Friday’s big game. |
|
7 |
formal (eg political) reports / announcements |
Is / are + to infinitive (unlikely to be used with am) |
The P.M is to fly to Washington on Thursday. Petrol prices are to rise again next month. |
|
8 |
Acts to be completed by a stated future time |
Will / won’t + have + past participle (the ‘future perfect’ tense – note use of by) |
By this time tomorrow, We’ll have flown to Zermatt, had our first Swiss meal, and taken the ski lift to the top of the slopes. (‘we’ll have’ need not be repeated) |
|
9 |
Immediate future events / actions |
Am / is / are + about + to infinitive |
Look, that car is about to have its wheels clamped! The show is about to begin. |
|
10 |
future in the past
|
Was / were etc + about + to infinitive
|
I was about to turn right when I was hit by a taxi. We were about to go to bed when the phone rang. |
|
(past intentions |
Was/were going to |
I was going to take an exotic holiday, but I had to cancel it. We were going to have four kids, but eventually we settled for two. |