Future Tenses

*  Remarks:

There is no future tense in English. Instead, there are some several verb forms that can refer future time.

Sometimes, several forms are possible to express a similar meaning but not always.

The difference between them is not about near or distant future, or about certainty. The speaker chooses a future form depending on when the decision was taken, and how the speaker sees the future event.

1.  PREDICTION

1.a) will/won't + infinitive

==> We use will/won’t (the future simple) to talk about predictions which are based on guesswork, analysis or judgment. We use will/won’t with all persons and with personal and impersonal subjects:

• Personal:                  We’ll still be here in twenty years.

• Impersonal:             Will interest rates rise in the next few weeks?

==> We often use will to predict an event which we think will happen because similar events have happened in the past:

- He’ll be in prison for a long time. (Similar crimes have attracted long sentences.)

- The laptop battery will give you about two hours’ continuous use. (This is what previous batteries have done.)

==> We can use shall/shan’t with I and we, although this is becoming dated now:

- I shall never get the hang of these new WAP phones.

! We do not use shall/shan’t with he, she, it, you, they for predictions:

x          He shall like the idea, I'm sure.

      >         He will like the idea, I’m sure.

1.b) Simple Future / Pure Future (S +will + V _{(base form)}+ …)

- All people will die.

1.c) be going to + infinitive

==> We also use be going to + infinitive to make a prediction, especially if there is evidence in the present to justify the prediction:

The Roses are already a popular band and they are going to be massive!

 X         Look at those black clouds. It will rain.

 >        Look at those black clouds. It's going to rain.

! It is possible to use will with present evidence, but we usually use an adverb:

- Look at the sky. It will probably/definitely rain later.

==> With be going to there is often a strong link with the present, and the prediction is often about the near future:

- Look out! You’re going to spill the wine!

 1.d) will/won't be + verb –ing

==> We use will/won’t be + verb -ing (the future continuous) for a temporary action in progress at a particular point in the future:

- This time next Tuesday afternoon I'll be lying on the beach!

 

==> Compare this with the present continuous for a temporary action in the present:

- It’s Tuesday afternoon and I’m lying on the beach!

! Note that we do not usually use the passive with this form:

X  The proposal will be being presented at the next meeting.

>   The chairman will be presenting the proposal at the next meeting.

! We do not use the verb be in the continuous:

X  Shelly will be being in Morocco this time tomorrow.

 > Shelly will be in Morocco this time tomorrow.

==> We can also use will/won’t be + verb -ing (and will/won’t + infinitive) to make a ‘prediction’ about something we believe to be the case now.

- You can’t interrupt her now. She’ll be getting ready to go on stage, won’t she?

- ‘What’s that noise?’ ‘It’ll be Ron next door. He’s learning to play the trumpet.’

1.e) will/won't have + past participle; will/won't have + been+ verb –ing

==> We use will/won’t have + past participle (the future perfect) to make predictions about actions which we expect to be completed by a particular time in the future:

- He’ll have had the operation by May and should be a lot fitter then.

==> We usually use a time adverb/phrase (such as soon, by then, within the next week) with this kind of prediction. The times can be very close to ‘now’, e.g.

- You can have my report by the end of the morning. In fact, I’ll have finished it within the next hour.

==> We use will/won’t have + been + verb -ing to talk about an action which is still ongoing at a point in the future, to focus on the duration of the action:

- We’ll have been living in this house for twenty years in December.

==> With verbs such as live, work, stay, which contain the idea of continuity, we can also use will/won’t have + past participle:

- We’ll have lived in this house for twenty years in December.

!  We rarely use this form in the passive:

x    By July the house will have been being built for a year.

>   By July they will have been building the house for a year.

2.  DECISIONS AND INTENTIONS

2.a) will/won't + infinitive

==> We often use will/won’t + infinitive (the future simple) to talk about a decision made at the time of speaking:

- Oh, our guests are here. I’ll go and sort out some drinks for them.

- You look tired. I’ll cook dinner tonight.

==> In questions asking about decisions, we can use shall (with I and we only)

- Shall I see you next week, then?

==> In speech we stress will/won’t to indicate determination, especially when the action is decided on or the determination is strengthened at the time of speaking:

- I will come with you at the weekend, whatever my parents say!

- After what has just happened, I won’t believe a word you say again.

!  We do not usually contract will to ’ll with this use, as we usually stress the auxiliary verb, but we can make the contraction when we stress an adverb:

- He’ll never agree to that!

 2.b) be going to + infinitive

==> We use be going to + infinitive for intentions (i.e. for actions that have already been decided on):

- He is going to study environmental law next year.

==> We can use be going to for impersonal intention, e.g. of an authority:

- The Government is going to increase VAT in the budget.

==> !  We usually avoid be going to with the verbs go and come:

x - I'm going to go home now. Are you going to come?

>- I'm going home now. Are you coming?

==> We stress be or not to express determination about something we have already decided on:

- I am going to leave. I’m not going to stay here forever, so don’t try to make me!

3.  ARRANGEMENTS

3.a) Present continuous

==> We use the present continuous to describe an event in the future which has already been arranged by the time of speaking:

- We’re seeing a musical at the theatre next week. (= We’ve got the tickets.)

==> Compare this with the use of be going to:

- We’re going to see a musical at the theatre sometime next week. (not arranged yet; the focus is on our intention)

==> We usually use the present continuous for future events which involve other people and where we have made some form of commitment, e.g. by buying tickets. However, we can also use this tense for arrangements that don’t involve other people. In this case, we see it as an ‘arrangement’ the speaker makes with him/herself:

- I’m staying in tonight. I’ve got loads of paperwork to do.

==> The focus here is on the ‘arrangement’, i.e. there is no suggestion that the speaker wants to stay in, which is the case when we use be going to. Compare:

- I’m going to stay in tonight. (focus on intention)

==> We also use the present continuous for impersonal plans:

- Computer City has announced that it is opening four new shops next month

==> ! We cannot use this tense with events which are beyond human control, e.g. the weather, because these events are predictions, not intentions or arrangements (4.1):

x          It's snowing tomorrow.

>         It's going to snow tomorrow. /It will snow tomorrow.

3.b) will/won't be + verb –ing

==> We can also use will/won’t be + verb -ing (the future continuous) to talk about events that are a result of or part of an arrangement made in the past:

- ‘How about joining us at the cottage this Sunday?’ ‘Oh, we can’t. We’ll be coming back from Edinburgh on Sunday. We’re visiting Julianne.’

- Trains won’t be running between East Putney and Putney Bridge this weekend due to essential track repairs.

==> With this structure the future event is seen as arranged, so we use this as a tactful way of asking about someone’s plans or refusing an invitation:

- Will you be staying long?

- I’m sorry, I can’t come to your wedding as I’ll be working on that day.

==> !  There is, in fact, little difference between this and the use of the present continuous for arrangements. The use of will/won’t be + verb -ing acts to distance the arrangement a little, making it more fixed and less open to change.

4.  OTHER FUTURE MEANINGS

4.a) Timetables

==> We can use the present simple to talk about timetabled events:

- The tour departs on October 11th for 15 days and costs £495.

- The car comes at eleven to collect the guest speakers and they arrive at the hall at eleven thirty.

4.b) Routine events in the future

è We use will/won’t be + verb -ing for future events we see as certain because they are part of a routine, especially when the event continues for a period of time, e.g. a festival, a meeting:

- Winston will be performing with his steel band every night of the music festival.

- We’ll be having our weekly meeting tomorrow so I’ll present your proposal then.

==> The focus in the last example is on the routine nature of the weekly meeting. Compare this with the use of other future forms (all correct English). The present continuous focuses on the arrangement rather than the routine:

- We’re having our weekly meeting tomorrow instead of Friday this week.

==> The present simple presents the meeting as part of a timetable:

- We have our weekly meeting tomorrow so I’ll present your proposal then.

==> We also often use will/won’t be + verb -ing to say that an event is inevitable:

- I’ll be seeing Mr Kennedy at the court tomorrow – he’s always there on Thursdays – so we can discuss your case briefly then.

==> We use will/won’t to express statements of fact about the future:

- Next week I’ll be 21.

- The sun will rise at 5.30 tomorrow morning.

4.c) Qualifying future forms

==> We can make predictions, intentions or decisions stronger or weaker by using certain adverbs, for example definitely, certainly, probably, possibly:

- She’ll definitely make a fool of herself.

- The lecture probably won’t start on time – they rarely do here.

- I’m definitely going to look for another job now!

- I certainly won’t give you a lift to the station – it’s only down the road!

==> We can show our attitude to the future event by using an introductory verb, for example think, expect, hope, doubt, suppose, promise, guarantee:

- I expect she’ll call us from the airport.

- The Association guarantees that 500 tickets will be available on the day.

==> We usually show negative meaning (e.g. I won’t pass the exam) at the beginning of the sentence with the introductory verb:

X   I think I won’t pass the exam.]

>   I don’t think I’ll pass the exam.

4.d) Time clauses

==> In time clauses (starting with when, after, as soon as, once, until), we do not use will/won’t, but we use a present form:

X   Won't the park look good once the new trees will reach maturity?

ü   Won't the park look good once the new trees reach/have reached maturity?

Effective penal reform will not be achieved until the government takes it seriously.

5.  EXPRESSIONS WITH FUTURE MEANING

5.a) be to + infinitive

==> We use be to in formal English to talk about official arrangements in the future:

- The President is to hold an official reception for the visitors.

==> This construction is common in writing, especially in news articles:

- Crash investigators are to release their findings to the press later today.

==> !  The verb be is often omitted in headlines: President to hold official reception.

==> We often use be to in if clauses when we wish to say that the event in the if clause is dependent on the event in the main clause happening first:

- If British tennis is to reach world standard again, both more money and more commitment will be necessary.

 (= More money and commitment must be given first for British tennis to improve.)

==> We can also use be (not) to + infinitive for formal commands and instructions:

- You are not to disturb the head teacher while the inspectors are here next week.

==>  It is quite common to use the passive for instructions with be to:

- These pills are not to be taken with any other form of medicine.

5.b) be due to + infinitive

==> We can use be due to to talk about an event which forms part of a timetable (present simple). We usually use a time phrase with be due to:

- Carriageway repairs on this stretch of the motorway are due to start on 26th May.

==> When we use be due to to talk about a future event, it is possible that the timetable may change, i.e. the event is not totally fixed, as is the case with be to:

- New measures to contain asylum seekers are due to come into force on 1st August but a case currently before the European court may delay this until the autumn.

 5.c) Expressing the near future

==> We use be about to to talk about an event that we intend or expect to happen in the near future. The event may or may not be planned, but we often use about to when evidence in the present indicates that it will happen (be going to)

- Ladies and gentlemen. Please take your seats. The performance is about to start.

- Hurry up, the driver says he can’t wait any longer. He's about to leave without us.

==> We can stress that the future event is very imminent by adding just:

- Come on! The check-in desk is just about to close.

==> Two other expressions used for talking about the near future are on the point of and on the verge of. These both mean that something is about to happen. They can be followed by either an -ing form or a noun:

- Don’t provoke your little brother. You can see he's on the point of losing his temper.

- Because of the erosion of their habitats, some species are on the verge of extinction.

==> Some adjectives contain the idea of ‘in the near future’, e.g. imminent, forthcoming, impending. We tend to use these adjectives in more formal English:

- A decision from the judges is imminent. We will return to the law court as soon as we have any further news.

!  We use impending only in attributive position, i.e. before the noun:

x          The sensation of doom was impending.

>         No one could shake off the sensation of impending doom.

!  We do not usually use time adverbials (e.g. in an hour) with the expressions

X         Come in. We're on the point of starting dinner in two minutes.

5.d) Expressing probability and certainty

==> We use be likely to + infinitive to say that something in the future is probable:

- The payment is likely to take ten days. Please contact us if it does not arrive within that time.

==> Be unlikely to + infinitive means that it is improbable that something will happen:

- They're unlikely to arrive before six. The traffic is always awful on Fridays.

==> We can use be sure (bound/certain) to + infinitive to say that something is definitely going to happen:

- The new timetable is sure to annoy some of the teachers when they see it.

- Your application is bound to fail if you don’t get the divisional director’s approval.

==> In the negative we put not after the adjective:

- Don’t worry about Dad – he's sure not to find out about the loan.

==> This can sound quite formal, so in casual speech we sometimes rephrase it:

- Don't worry about Dad – I'm sure he won't find out about the loan.

!  We can use be sure to and be certain to as imperatives; we don't use be bound to in this way:

x          Be bound to give me a call when you arrive at the hotel.

>         Be sure/certain to give me a call when you arrived at the hotel.

6.  VERBS WITH FUTURE MEANING

6.a) Main verbs

==> Some verbs contain an implied future in their meaning, i.e. we understand that they relate to the future even though we do not use a future form:

Verbs

decide, hope, intend, promise, swear

Structure

verb + to + infinitive

Examples

-           I hope to see everyone at the next Open Day.

-           Do you swear never to reveal any of the secrets of the Magic Circle?

Verbs

anticipate, predict, envisage

Structure

verb + noun/-ing form

Examples

-           We anticipate congestion on all major routes out of London this weekend.

-           Do you envisage experiencing any difficulty with this machine?

Verbs

arrange, expect, guarantee, plan, undertake

Structure

verb + (noun) + to + infinitive

Examples

-           We're planning a stay of only three days.

-           We expect to promote trainees within two to three years of qualifying.

6.b) Modal verbs

==> Many modal verbs can refer to the future, usually expressing a degree of possibility or probability (see modal verbs)

+ Subject + may + V _{(base form)} + …

-     It may rain tomorrow, but I hope it will be sunny.

-     They may be arriving tomorrow.

-  -    Such financing opportunities may not be so readily available in the future.

+ Subject + might + V _{(base form)} + …

-       Joe might come with me.

-  Rankin's latest blockbuster might win the Golden Dagger award for crime fiction.

+ Subject + might + as well + V _{(base form)} + …

-       He might not as well go to Tailand.

+ Subject + can + V _{(base form)} + …

-       We can do our homework.

-       She can go that place.

+ Subject + could + V _{(base form)} + …

-       She told me that she could do this work.

-       Could you help me?

+ Subject + had better + V _{(base form)} + …

-       You had better shut your mouth up.

-       She had better stay at home.

+ Subject + must + V _{(base form)} + …

-       You must respect your class monitor.

-       I must get my hair cut.

+ Subject + have to / be supposed to / ought to / should + V _{(base form)} + …

-     You have to respect the law.

-     I think you should go to hospital.

-     She is supposed to be a teacher of English.

-     You ought to try to play the guitar.

-     Given their expertise and experience, the Swiss team should triumph in tomorrow's final.

7.  FUTURE IN THE PAST

7.a)  was/were going to + infinitive

==> Sometimes we need to describe the future from a viewpoint in the past. We often use was/were going to to do this:

- I was going to get up early this morning but the alarm didn’t go off!

 

(1) I intend to get up early tomorrow – this is a future plan.

(2) The alarm doesn’t go off.

(3) I wake up late. My plan to get up early is now in the past.

==> When we use was/were going to the plan is not usually fulfilled (i.e. it does not happen):

- The fitness club was going to increase its annual subscription but so many members protested that it backed down. (It didn’t increase the subscription.)

==> However, it is possible to describe a past intention that is fulfilled. This is made clear in the context:

- ‘Thanks for posting my letters.’ ‘That’s OK. I was going to post mine anyway.’ (= I did post my letters.)

b) Other ways of expressing the future in the past

==> While was/were going to is a very common way of expressing the future in the past, it is possible to transfer any form with future meaning to the past:

present/future form

present continuous

past form

past continuous

example

- We thought they were arriving before dinner, but they didn't arrive until midnight.

present/future form

will/shall

past form

would

example

- The heating wasn't working and we hoped that the repairman wouldn't take too long.

present/future form

will be + -ing form

past form

would be + -ing form

example

- Little did we know that we would still be waiting in three hours' time.

present/future form

will have + past participle

past form

would have + past participle

example

- The Cabinet thought the crisis would have finished before the election.

present/future form

is/are about to/due to

past form

was/were about to/due to

example

- As he raised his arm she realised that he was about to strike her again.

present/future form

is/are to

past form

was/were to

example

- We were to arrive at the airport at nine, where we were to have been met by the tour guide.

==> When we transfer present/future forms to the past, they keep the same meaning, as they have in the present, that is we used the present continuous to talk about arrangements, so the past continuous also expresses arrangements:

- We were meeting them at the concert hall, but we didn't know which entrance they were waiting at. (unfulfilled arrangement)

!  With was/were (due) to + present infinitive, we don't know if the event happened or not:

- The Professor was to take up his chair in October.

- The exam results were (due) to arrive at the school today. We can ring tomorrow to find out whether they have arrived.

==> However, was/were (due) to + perfect infinitive tells us that the event did not occur:

- The exam results were (due) to have arrived at the school today but apparently the exam board has not posted them yet.

(x=incorrect, >=correct)