Mastering English Future Tenses: Rules and Examples

Posted on Mar 6, 2025 in English

Future ‘Will’ (Will + Infinitive)

You use this future tense:

• To make predictions or state expectations for the future. These can be introduced by verbs like: believe, expect, hope, and think. Or adverbs like definitely, certainly, probably (after will before won’t).

Examples:

• I think the exam will be too difficult for me.
• Manchester will probably win the championship.
• I expect she’ll arrive soon.
• He definitely won’t pass his exam; he’s too lazy.

• To give information about the future and talk about future facts or events which you know or believe are certain to happen.

Examples:

• Tomorrow will be the last day of our holiday.
• Winter will be here soon.

• To talk about a decision about the future that is made at the moment of speaking, including OFFERS, REQUESTS, AND PROMISES.

Examples:

• Lucy: We need some milk. Alan: OK; I’ll go to the shop after this program is over.
• I’ll help you carry your bags. / Will you lend me your cell? / I promise, I’ll try harder next time.

Going To (Am, Is, Are + Going To + Infinitive)

You use this future tense:

• To talk about a decision, intention, or plan about the future that was made before the time of speaking.

Example: I’m going to stay in tonight and read my book.

• To make predictions based on present evidence or knowledge.

Example: Look at those clouds – it’s going to rain!

Present Continuous as Future (Am, Is, Are + Verb”ing”)

You use this future tense:

• To talk about future arrangements which have already been made.

Example: Sue and Paul are arriving this evening at 9.

Note: “going to” and “the present continuous” have a similar future meaning, but “going to” emphasizes the idea that a decision has been made, whereas the “present continuous” emphasizes that something has been arranged. Compare:

“ I’m going to have my hair cut this week.” ( I’ve made a decision to have my hair cut. I may or may not have made an appointment at the hairdresser’s)

“ I’m having my hair cut this week.” ( I’ve made an appointment at the hairdresser’s.)

Present Simple as Future

You use this future tense:

• To talk about timetabled or scheduled events:

Example: The film starts at 10:00, just after the news.

Future Continuous (Will + Be + Verb”ing”)

You use this future tense:

• To talk about actions or events which will be in progress at a certain time in the future.

Example: This time next week I’ll be lying in the beach.

• To talk about something that will definitely happen (planned or because it is part of a normal routine).

Examples: I’ll be seeing Pam later, so I can give her your message. As usual, tomorrow we’ll be starting classes at 8.

• To talk about predicted developments in the future.

Example: We’ll all be using the Internet in ten years’ time.

Future Perfect Simple (Will + Have + Past Participle)

You use this future tense:

• To talk about actions and events that will be completed by a certain time in the future.

Examples: By the end of today we’ll have driven over 250 kms. I’ll have written this report by tomorrow morning. Note: (you often use “by”)

Future Perfect Continuous (Will + Have Been + Verb”ing”)

You use this future tense:

• To talk about continuous actions in the future that will be in progress by a certain time in the future. It emphasizes the length of time of the action and is often used with FOR.

Example: By this time next year I’ll have been living here for 20 years.