Different Ways of Expressing the Future

Future Indefinite

Past Simple vs Past Continuous

Past Simple	Past Continuous
1. To express several past actions which happened one after the other:	1.To express two or more simultaneous past actions (while/when):
She came home, had dinner, did her homework and went for a walk.	While I was reading, my mother was watching TV.
2. To express a single past action which interrupts another past action in its development: >	2. To show an action or activity that was in progress, and which was interrupted by another action:
The bell rang	while I was getting dressed.
My mother entered the room	when I was doing my homework.
3. To describe main events in a story: >	3. To express background descriptions to events in a story:
That funny accident happened	while she was flying to Paris.

The Future Indefinite is formed by means of the auxiliary verb will and shall and the infinitive of the notional verb without the particle to. In the interrogative form the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject. In the negative form the negative particle not is placed after the auxiliary verb.

Affirmative	Interrogative	Negative
I will (shall) work	Shall I work?	Iwill not (won’t)work
He will work	Willhe work?	Hewill not (won’t)work
She will work	Willshe work?	Shewill not (won’t)work
It will work	Willit work?	Itwill not (won’t)work
We will (shall) work	Shall we work?	Wewill not (won’t)work
You will work	Willyou work?	Youwill not (won’t)work
They will work	Willthey work?	Theywill not (won’t)work

Note: We normally use shall only in questions with I and we to ask somebody’s opinion (especially in offers and suggestions) and to ask for advice:

Shall I open the window? (= Do you want me to open the window?)

Shall we go for a walk? (= Let’s go for a walk.)

The Future Indefinite is used:

1. To express decisions made at the moment of speaking:

I’m tired. I will go and have a nap.

OK, I’ll see you this evening at eight.

2. To express predictions, often with I believe, expect, hope, think, etc.

I think it will be a difficult game.

Don’t worry. Everything will be ok.

3. To express offers or willingness.

I’ll give you a lift home if you like.

All right. I’ll water the flowers.

4. To ask somebody to do something.

Will you please make some coffee?

Will you do me a favour?

5. To say that you or somebody refuses, promises and threats to do something.

I won’t speak to you ever again!

I’ll pay you back on Friday.

Don’t give her advice. She won’t listen.

The Future Indefinite is used with the following time indicators:

tomorrow, soon, next week/month/year, the day after tomorrow etc.

We can use different ways to express the future in English. The choice depends on the situation. Here are the main forms and their uses:

1. To express future actions which are fixed personal arrangements made in advance: I’m not working tomorrow. What are you doing this evening?	Present Continuous
2. To express future action according to timetable, programme (for public transport, theatre etc.): My train leaves at 11.30. The football championship begins on Monday.	Present Simple
3. To express plans and intentions to do something in future: I’m going to phone him tomorrow. He is going to join a gym next week.	tobe going todo
4. To make on-the-spot decisions and also to offer, to refuse, to agree, to promise, to threat and to ask to do something: I’ll go and shut the door. We’ll help you with your housework.	Future Simple
5. To make predictions based on what we see or we know, especially when there is evidence: Look at the dark clouds! It’s going to rain. That building is going to collapse soon.	tobe going todo
6. To make predictions based on what we believe or think, often with I believe, expect, hope, think, etc.: I hope it won’t rain tomorrow. I’m sure she will pass the exam easily.	Future Simple
7. To express that something is going to happen very soon: The train is about to leave – let’s hurry. I am about to fall asleep. Don’t bother me!	to be about todo
8. To express official arrangements and orders, especially when announced: The President is to visit Brussels next week. You are to be here by nine o’clock.	to be todo
9.To show that something is going to happen immediately: She is on the point of leaving. I am on the point of explaining.	to be on the point ofdoing

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