Future forms
When we talk about the future, we often discuss plans, predictions, expectations, or possibilities. Using the right future form allows us to express these ideas clearly and precision. Mastering future forms helps you:
Convey intentions and plans: Clearly communicate your goals or what you intend to do.
Describe ongoing or completed actions in the future: Understand how events are interconnected over time.
Make predictions: Use expressions that show certainty, likelihood, or doubt about future events.
Engage in advanced conversations: Express complex ideas fluently and accurately.
The Four main future forms
Future Simple
Form: will + base verb
We use the future simple to:
Make quick decisions: “I’ll help you with your homework.”
Express predictions: “It will rain tomorrow.”
Indicate future facts: “The sun will rise at 6:30 a.m.”
Future Continuous
Form: will + be + verb(-ing)
We use the future continuous to:
Talk about an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future: “At 9 a.m. tomorrow, I will be meeting with my manager.”
Set the scene for another future action: “When you arrive, they’ll be eating dinner.”
Future Perfect
Form: will + have + past participle
We use the future perfect to:
Talk about actions that will be completed before a specific time in the future: “By next year, I will have graduated.”
Future Perfect Continuous
Form: will + have been + verb(-ing)
We use the future perfect continuous to:
Emphasise the duration of an action up to a specific time in the future: “By next summer, I will have been working here for five years.”
Expressions to Talk About the Future
Beyond the four main forms, English offers additional expressions to describe future events with nuance. Let’s look at these expressions:
On the verge of / On the brink of
Form: be + on the verge/brink of + verb(-ing)
Use these expressions to talk about something that is about to happen very soon:
“She is on the verge of making a breakthrough.”
“They are on the brink of signing the agreement.”
Be sure / bound to
Form: be + sure/bound to + base verb
Use these expressions to show strong certainty about the future:
“She is bound to succeed with all her effort.”
“It’s sure to rain later today.”
Be due to
Form: be + due to + base verb
Use this expression to talk about scheduled events:
The train is due to arrive at 6 p.m.
Be to
Form: be + to + base verb
Use this formal expression to indicate planned or arranged actions:
"The president is to visit the capital next week.”
We are to meet at the library at 2 p.m.
Understanding and using future forms and expressions will help you communicate your plans, predictions, and expectations more effectively.