I admit that talking about the future is one of the most confusing aspects of English. We don’t just have to think about when we’re going to do something, we also have to take into account how we consider it. In Spanish there’s not much difference between «lo haré mañana» and «lo voy a hacer mañana». In English, however, we receive unspoken information according to what people say. «I’ll do it tomorrow», for example, tells us that the decision to do it has just been made. «I’m going to do it tomorrow» tells us that the decision was made earlier and that it is now an intention.
This may sound confusing, but in fact it’s very precise. Just a little difficult at first…
Will
Structure: will do something
Will is used to talk about a future fact:
He’ll be 24 years old tomorrow.
The Mayor will open the new musem next Tuesday.
The money will go into your account at the end of the month.
Will can be used to make a prediction:
(Note that predictions with will are based on what we know or think)
I think it will be hot and sunny tomorrow.
If you take an aspirin, you’ll soon feel better.
Barça will win the league this year.
I think they will make flying cars in 2050.
I don’t think we’ll ever fly to Mars.
Will is also used to express an intention or decision made at the moment of speaking. Immediately after this decision, going to is probably the most appropriate form to use:
It’s very hot in here. I’ll open the window.
I’ll have a cheeseburger and large fries.
– Pub or cinema? – No, I think I’ll stay in instead
Going to
Structure: going to do something
Going to is used to talk about a future intention when a decision has already been made:
When I leave university, I’m going to be a doctor.
They’re going to meet us in the pub after the film.
When I leave school I’m going (to go) to university.
When we use ‘going to go’, we often omit ‘to go’ and just say ‘going’.
I’m going to go to the cinema this evening.
‘Going to’ is also used to talk about future predictions:
(Note that predictions with going to are based on evidence that something is going to happen.)
Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain.
I haven’t done any revision. I’m going to fail the exam.
He’s beaten all the other players. He’s going to win the competition!
Present simple
The present simple is used to talk about future timetables, itineraries and so on.
My train leaves at 9 o’clock tomorrow night.
My birthday falls on a Friday this year.
The match starts at 3 o’clock.
Present continuous
We Spanish people are not generally happy using this because it sounds strange to us. However, English people use it all the time to refer to the future.
It’s used to talk about future arrangements (a word which doesn’t have an exact translation in Spanish). An arrangement is similar to an intention, but involves more preparation or organisation. In other words you have to phone someone, or put it in your diary, or promise yourself something.
I’m having lunch with my parents tomorrow. (I rang them)
He’s leaving work at the end of the month. (He’s told his boss)
She’s meeting me in the pub later. (We spoke to each other at the end of class)
I’m seeing that film tomorrow afternoon. (I promised myself)
Future continuous
Structure: will be doing something
The future continuous is used to talk about an activity that will be in progress before and after a particular time:
Don’t ring me at 9 o’clock. I’ll be having dinner.
This time next week I’ll be lying on the beach wondering what to have for lunch.
Don’t come so early. I’ll still be getting ready.
It is also used to refer to a future event that will happen in the normal course of things. In other words, it doesn’t have anything to do with intentions, time of decision, type of plan etc. This event will occur as time passes. Imagine how you use the present continuous to talk about what’s happening now (I’m using my computer, etc). Now think about the future, and that’s how we use the future continuous (I’ll still be using my computer in half an hour).
The guests will be arriving any minute now.
The company will be opening a new branch in London next year.
The teachers will soon be giving you details of next year’s course.
Future perfect
Structure: will have done something/will have been doing something
The future perfect is used to talk about an action that will be completed before a specific time in the future.
I’ll have finished the report by 6 o’clock. (By 6 o’clock means “at” or “before” 6)
They will have decorated the house before we move in.
They’ll have been married fifty years next anniversary.
You’ll have received payment by the end of the week.
He’ll have been working for the same company for thirty years next month.