Future Forms Introduction

Verb Tenses: Future Forms Introduction

FUTURE FORMS

Introduction

There are a number of different ways of referring to the future in English. It is important to remember that we are expressing more than simply the time of the action or event. Obviously, any 'future' tense will always refer to a time 'later than now', but it may also express our attitude to the future event.

All of the following ideas can be expressed using different tenses:

·          Simple prediction

·          Arrangements

·          Plans and intentions

·          Time-tabled events

·          Prediction based on present evidence

·          Willingness

·          An action in progress in the future

·          An action or event that is a matter of routine

·          Obligation

·          An action or event that will take place immediately or very soon

·          Projecting ourselves into the future and looking back at a completed action.

The example sentences below correspond to the ideas above:

·          There will be snow in many areas tomorrow.

·         I'm meeting Jim at the airport.

·         We're going to spend the summer abroad.

·          The plane takes off at 3 a.m.

·          I think it's going to rain!

·         We'll give you a lift to the cinema.

·          This time next week I'll be sun-bathing.

·          h. You'll be seeing John in the office tomorrow, won't you?

·          You are to travel directly to London.

·          The train is about to leave.

·          A month from now he will have finished all his exams.

It is clear from these examples that several tenses are used to express the future. The sections that follow show the form and function of each of these tenses.

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Verb Tenses: The Simple Future

SIMPLE FUTURE

Simple future, form

The 'simple' future is composed of two parts: will / shall + the infinitive without 'to'

Subject	will	infinitive without to
He	will	leave...

Affirmative
I	will	go
I	shall	go
Negative
They	will not	see
They	won't	see
Interrogative
Will	she	ask?
Interrogative negative
Won't	she	take?

Contractions
I will   I'll	We will   we'll
You will   you'll	You will   you'll
He,she, will  he'll, she'll	They will   they'll

NOTE: The form 'it will' is not normally shortened.

Example: to see, simple future

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I'll see	I won't see	Will I see?
*I will / shall see	I shan't see	Shall I see?
You'll see	You won't see	Will you see?
He, she, it will see	He won't see	Will she see?
We'll see	We won't see	Will we see?
*We will / shall see	We shan't see	Shall we see?
You will see	You won't see	Will you see?
They'll see	They won't see	Will they see?

*NOTE: shall is slightly dated but can be used instead of will with I or we.

Simple future, function

The simple future refers to a time later than now, and expresses facts or certainty. In this case there is no 'attitude'.

The simple future is used:

·          to predict a future event: 
It will rain tomorrow.

·          (with I/we) to express a spontaneous decision: 
I'll pay for the tickets by credit card.

·          to express willingness: 
I'll do the washing-up. He'll carry your bag for you.

·          (in the negative form) to express unwillingness: 
The baby won't eat his soup. 
I won't leave until I've seen the manager!

·          (with I in the interrogative form) to make an offer: 
Shall I open the window?

·          (with we in the interrogative form) to make a suggestion: 
Shall we go to the cinema tonight?

·          (with I in the interrogative form) to ask for advice or instructions: 
What shall I tell the boss about this money?

·          (with you) to give orders: 
You will do exactly as I say.

·          (with you) to give an invitation: 
Will you come to the dance with me? Will you marry me?

NOTE: In modern English will is preferred to shall.

Shall is mainly used with I and we to make an offer or suggestion (see examples (e) and (f) above, or to ask for advice (example (g) above).
With the other persons (you, he, she, they) shall is only used in literary or poetic situations, e.g.

·         "With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, She shall have music wherever she goes."

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Future with Present Continuous

PRESENT CONTINUOUS FOR FUTURE EVENTS

1. Present Continuous for the Future: Form

See notes on form in section on Present Continuous.

Subject	+ to be	+ base-ing
She	is	meeting

2. Future: Present Continuous for the Future: Function

The present continuous is used to talk about arrangements for events at a time later than now. 
There is a suggestion that more than one person is aware of the event, and that some preparation has already happened. e.g.

·         I'm meeting Jim at the airport = and both Jim and I have discussed this.

·         I am leaving tomorrow. = and I've already bought my train ticket.

·         We're having a staff meeting next Monday = and all members of staff have been told about it.

More examples

·         Is she seeing him tomorrow?

·         He isn't working next week.

·         They aren't leaving until the end of next year.

·         We are staying with friends when we get to Boston.

Note: in example (a), seeing is used in a continuous form because it means meeting.

BE CAREFUL! The simple present is used when a future event is part of a programme or time-table. Notice the difference between:

a. We're having a staff meeting next Monday. 
b. We have a staff meeting next Monday.(= we have a meeting every Monday, it's on the time-table.)

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Verb Tenses: Simple Present for Future Events

SIMPLE PRESENT FOR FUTURE EVENTS

Simple Present for Future Events: Form

See Simple Present section.

Simple Present for Future Events: Function

The simple present is used to make statements about events at a time later than now, when the statements are based on present facts, and when these facts are something fixed like a time-table, schedule, calendar.

Examples

·          The plane arrives at 18.00 tomorrow.

·          She has a yoga class tomorrow morning.

·          The restaurant opens at 19.30 tonight.

·          Next Thursday at 14.00 there is an English exam.

Note the difference between:

·          The plane leaves in ten minutes (= statement of fact)

·          The plane's going to leave in ten minutes (= prediction based on present situation, meaning "...and if you don't hurry up you're going to miss it!")

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Verb Tenses: Future with 'Going to'

FUTURE WITH GOING TO

1. Future with Going to - form

This form is composed of three elements: the appropriate form of the verb 'to be' + going to + the infinitive of the main verb:

Subject	'to be'	going to	infinitive
She	is	going to	leave

2. Future with Going to - function

The use of 'going to' to refer to future events suggests a very strong association with the present. The time is not important - it is later than now, but the attitude is that the event depends on a present situation, that we know about. So it is used:

·          to refer to our plans and intentions:
We're going to move to London next year. (= the plan is in our minds now.)

·          to make predictions based on present evidence:
Look at those clouds - it's going to pour with rain! (= It's clear from what I can see now.)

Note: In everyday speech, 'going to' is often shortened to 'gonna', especially in American English.

Plans and intentions:

·         Is Freddy going to buy a new car soon?

·         Are John and Pam going to visit Milan when they are in Italy?

·          I think Nigel and Mary are going to have a party next week.

Predictions based on present evidence:

·          There's going to be a terrible accident!

·         He's going to be a brilliant politician.

·         I'm going to have terrible indigestion.

NOTE: It is unusual to say 'I'm going to go to...'
Instead, we use 'going to' + a place or event:

Examples

·         We are going to the beach tomorrow.

·          She is going to the ballet tonight.

·         Are you going to the party tomorrow night?

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Verb Tenses:Future Continuous

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

Future continuous, form

The future continuous is made up of two elements: the simple future of the verb 'to be' + the present participle (base+ing)

Subject	simple future, 'to be'	base+ing
You	will be	watching

Affirmative
I will be asking

Negative
She won't be leaving

Interrogative
Will they be retiring?

Interrogative negative
Won't we be staying?

Example: to stay, future continuous

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I will be staying	I won't be staying	Will I be staying?
You will be staying	You won't be staying	Will you be staying?
He, she, it will be staying	He won't be staying	Will she be staying?
We will be staying	We won't be staying	Will we be staying?
You will be staying	You won't be staying	Will you be staying?
They will be staying	They won't be staying	Will they be staying?

Future continuous, function

The future continuous refers to an unfinished action or event that will be in progress at a time later than now. It is used:

To project ourselves into the future and see something happening:

·         This time next week I will be sun-bathing in Bali.

To refer to actions/events that will happen in the normal course of events:

·         I'll be seeing Jim at the conference next week.

In the interrogative form, especially with 'you', to distinguish between a simple request for information and an invitation:

·          Will you be coming to the party tonight? (= request for information) 
Will you come to the party? (= invitation)

To predict or guess about someone's actions or feelings, now or in the future:

·         You'll be feeling tired after that long walk, I expect.

Events in progress in the future:

·          When you are in Australia will you be staying with friends?

·          This time next week you will be working in your new job.

·          At four thirty on Tuesday afternoon I will be signing the contract.

Events/actions in normal course of events:

·         I'll be going into town this afternoon, is there anything you want from the shops?

·         Will you be using the car tomorrow? - No, you can take it.

·         I'll be seeing Jane this evening - I'll give her the message.

Asking for information:

·         Will you be bringing your friend to the pub tonight?

·         Will Jim be coming with us?

Predicting or guessing:

·         You'll be feeling thirsty after working in the sun.

·         He'll be coming to the meeting, I expect.

·         You'll be missing the sunshine now you're back in England.

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Verb Tenses: Future Perfect

FUTURE PERFECT

Future Perfect: Form

The future perfect is composed of two elements: the simple future of the verb to have (will have) + the past participle of the main verb:

Subject	will have	past participle
He	will have	finished

Affirmative
I will have left

Negative
They won't have gone

Interrogative
Will we have seen?

Interrogative negative
Won't he have arrived?

Example: to arrive, future perfect

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I'll have arrived	I won't have arrived	Will I have arrived?
You'll have arrived	You won't have arrived	Will you have arrived?
He'll have arrived	She won't have arrived	Will it have arrived?
We'll have arrived	We won't have arrived	Will we have arrived?
You'll have arrived	You won't have arrived	Will you have arrived?
They'll have arrived	They won't have arrived	Will they have arrived?

Future perfect, function

The future perfect refers to a completed action in the future. When we use this tense we are projecting ourselves forward into the future and looking back at an action that will be completed some time later than now.
It is often used with a time expression using by + a point in future time.

Examples

·         I'll have been here for six months on June 23rd.

·          By the time you read this I'll have left.

·         You will have finished your work by this time next week.

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Verb Tenses: Future Perfect Continuous

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

Future Perfect Continuous: Form

This form is composed of two elements: the future perfect of the verb to be (will have been) + the present participle of the main verb (base+ing):

Subject	will have been	base+ing
We	will have been	living

Affirmative
I	will have been	working
Negative
I	won't have been	working
Interrogative
Will	I have been	working?
Interrogative negative
Won't	I have been	working?

Example: to live, Future Perfect Continuous

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I'll have been living	I won't have been living	Will I have been living?
You'll have been living	You won't have been living	Will you have been living?
He'll have been living	He won't have been living	Will she have been living?
We'll have been living	We won't have been living	Will we have been living?
You'll have been living	You won't have been living	Will you have been living?
They'll have been living	They won't have been living	Will they have been living?

Future Perfect Continuous: Function

Like the future perfect simple, this form is used to project ourselves forward in time and to look back. It refers to events or actions in a time between now and some future time, that may be unfinished.

Examples:

·          I will have been waiting here for three hours by six o'clock.

·          By 2001 I will have been living here for sixteen years.

·          By the time I finish this course, I will have been learning English for twenty years.

·          Next year I will have been working here for four years.

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Other ways of talking about the future

OTHER WAYS OF TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE

1. IS TO + INFINITIVE

Form

This form is composed of two elements: the appropriate form of the verb to be + to (am to, are to, is to), and the infinitive of the main verb without 'to'..

Subject	to be to	infinitive without to
We	are to	leave

Affirmative
She	is to	travel
Negative
You	are not (aren't) to	travel
Interrogative
Am	I to	travel?
Interrogative negative
Aren't	they to	travel?

Function

This form refers to an obligation to do something at a time later than now. It is similar to'must', but there is a suggestion that something has been arranged or organised for us. It is not normally used in spoken English, but might be found in spy stories, e.g.

·         "You are to leave this room at once, and you are to travel by train to London. In London you are to pick up your ticket from Mr Smith, and you are to fly to your destination alone. When you arrive, you are to meet our agent, Mr X, who will give you further information. You are to destroy this message now."

2. BE + ABOUT TO + INFINITIVE

Form

This form is composed of three elements : the appropriate form of the verb to be, present tense, + 'about to' + the infinitive of the main verb without 'to':

Subject	be	about to	infinitive without to
I	am	about to	leave
She	is	about to	arrive

Function

This form refers to a time immediately after the moment of speaking, and emphasises that the event or action will happen very soon:

Examples

·          She is about to leave.

·          You are about to see something very unusual.

·          I am about to go to a meeting - can I talk to you later?

It is often used with the word 'just', which emphasises the immediacy of the action:

·         We are just about to go to sleep.

·          Sally is just about to take an exam.

This form can also be used in the simple past tense to refer to an action that was imminent, but was interrupted. In such cases it is often followed by a 'when - clause':

·         She was about to leave when he arrived.

·          I was just about to telephone her when she walked into the house.

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'IF' SENTENCES AND THE 'UNREAL' PAST

In this section you will find information on sentences containing the word 'if', the use of conditional tenses, and the 'unreal past', that is, when we use a past tense but we are not actually referring to past time.

IF AND THE CONDITIONAL

There are four main types of 'if' sentences in English:

1. The 'zero' conditional, where the tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present:

'IF' CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE
If + simple present If you heat ice If it rains	simple present it melts. you get wet

In these sentences, the time is now or always and the situation is real and possible. They are often used to refer to general truths.

2. The Type 1 conditional, where the tense in the 'if clause is the simple present, and the tense in the main clause is the simple future

'IF' CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE
If + simple present If it rains If you don't hurry	Simple future you will get wet we will miss the train.

In these sentences, the time is the present or future and the situation is real. They refer to a possible condition and its probable result.

3. The Type 2 conditional, where the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional:

'IF' CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE
If + simple past If it rained If you went to bed earlier	Present conditional you would get wet you wouldn't be so tired.

In these sentences, the time is now or any time, and the situation is unreal. They are notbased on fact, and they refer to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result.

4. The Type 3 conditional, where the tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional:

'IF' CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE
If + past perfect If it had rained If you had worked harder	Perfect conditional you would have got wet you would have passed the exam.

In these sentences, the time is past, and the situation is contrary to reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed, and they refer to an unreal past condition and its probable past result.

A further type of 'if' sentence exists, where Type 2 and Type 3 are mixed. The tense in the'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional:

'IF' CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE
If + past perfect If I had worked harder at school If we had looked at the map	Present conditional I would have a better job now. we wouldn't be lost.

In these sentences, the time is past in the 'if' clause, and present in the main clause. They refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the present.