simple future

1. Simple Future (Will / Be Going To)
Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to."
Although the two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express
two very different meanings. These different meanings might seem too abstract at
first, but with time and practice, the differences will become clear. Both "will" and
"be going to" refer to a specific time in the future.
FORM Will
[will + verb]
Examples:
• You will help him later.
• Will you help him later?
• You will not help him later.
FORM Be Going To
[am/is/are + going to + verb]
Examples:
• You are going to meet Jane tonight.
• Are you going to meet Jane tonight?
• You are not going to meet Jane tonight.
USE 1: "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action
"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary
action is one the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use "will" to
respond to someone else's complaint or request for help. We also use "will" when we
request that someone help us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use
"will not" or "won't" when we refuse to voluntarily do something.
Examples:
• I will send you the information when I get it.
• I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.
• Will you help me move this heavy table?
• Will you make dinner?
• I will not do your homework for you.
• I won't do all the housework myself!
• A: I'm really hungry.
B: I'll make some sandwiches.
• A: I'm so tired. I'm about to fall asleep.
B: I'll get you some coffee.
• A: The phone is ringing.
B: I'll get it.
USE 2: "Will" to Express a Promise and Futurity

2. "Will" is usually used in promises. The “Will” future also expresses futurity when
the futurity depends on a condition or circumstance which is expressed in an
accompanying adverbial clause. The clause is introduced by such conjunctions as if,
when, as soon as, whenever. The “be going to” is rarely used in such sentences.
Examples:
• I will call you when she arrives.
• If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure everyone has
access to inexpensive health insurance.
• As soon as the taxi arrives, we will be able to leave for the airport.
• I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.
• Don't worry, I'll be careful.
• I won't tell anyone about your secret.
USE 3: "Be going to" to Express a Plan
"Be going to" used to express that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that
a person intends to do something in the future. It does not matter whether the plan is
realistic or not.
Examples:
• He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.
• She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.
• A: When are we going to meet each other tonight?
B: We are going to meet at 6 PM.
• I'm going to be an actor when I grow up.
• Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.
• They are going to drive all the way to Alaska.
• Who are you going to invite to the party?
• A: Who is going to make John's birthday cake?
B: Sue is going to make John's birthday cake.
USE 4 "Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction
Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction about
the future. Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future. In
"prediction" sentences, the subject usually has little control over the future and
therefore USES 1-3 do not apply. In the following examples, there is no difference in
meaning.
Examples:
 The year 2222 will be a very interesting year.
 The year 2222 is going to be a very interesting year.
 John Smith will be the next President.
 John Smith is going to be the next President.
 The movie "Zenith" will win several Academy Awards.
 The movie "Zenith" is going to win several Academy Awards.
 Be careful! You will hurt yourself!
 Watch out! You are going to hurt yourself!
IMPORTANT

3. In the Simple Future, it is not always clear which USE the speaker has in mind.
Often, there is more than one way to interpret a sentence's meaning.
No Future in Time Clauses
Like all future forms, the Simple Future cannot be used in clauses beginning with
time expressions such as; when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if,
unless, etc. Instead of Simple Future, Simple Present is used.
Examples:
• When you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Not Correct
• When you arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Correct
Distinction between Shall and Will
 To express future events we can use Shall for I and We and Will for other
pronouns and subject.
Example: I shall see you next Saturday.
He will see you next Saturday.
 To make a request, an offer and an invitation, use Will with the second person
(You)
Example: Will you answer the telephone, please?
Will you join me for a cup of coffee?
 Shall is used with first and third person to inquire as to the preference of
the person spoken to.
Example: Shall I answer the telephone for you?
Shall we go?
Shall the doctor come on Monday or Wednesday? (Which day do you
want the doctor to come?)
Other Future Construction
Be + to + the simple form of the verb shows plan, intention, obligation, or
necessity in the future.
My dentist says I am to see her twice a year.
They are to be here at 10:00 in the morning.
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always,
only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
• You will never help him.
• Will you ever help him?
• You are never going to meet Jane.
• Are you ever going to meet Jane?

4. Practice I
Will/BeGoingTo
1.Michael: DoyouthinktheRepublicans orthe Democrats(win)……..thenext
election?
Jane: IthinktheRepublicans (win)……….thenextelection.
John: Noway!TheDemocrats(win)………..
2.Susan: We(go)………campingthisweekend. Would you liketocomealong?
Sam: Thatsoundsgreat,but Idon't have asleepingbag.
Susan: Noproblem. I(lend)………..you one.My familyhastonsofcampinggear.
3.Barbara: I(buy)………….anewcarthisweekend, but I'malittleworriedbecauseI
don't reallyknowmuchaboutcars.I'mafraid thesalesman(try)………..totake
advantage ofmewhenheseeshowlittleIknow.
Dave: IusedtoworkforamechanicinhighschoolandIknowalotabout cars.I
(go)……….withyoutomakesureyouarenotcheated.
4.Gina: Fredand I(visit)……………SantaFenextsummer.Haveyou ever beenthere?
Margaret: MyfamilylivesinSantaFe!I(give)…………….you myparents' phonenumber.
When yougettoSantaFe,justcallthemandthey (give)……………youalittletourofthe
town.They canshowyou someofthesightsthatmosttouristsneversee.
5.Pam: Canyouseemyfuture inthecrystalball?What (happen)…………. nextyear?
Fortune Teller:You(meet)……………amanfromtheEastCoast, perhapsNewYorkor

5. maybeBoston. You(marry……………that mysteryman.
Pam: Forget theman!IwanttoknowifI(get)……………anewjob.
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
Future Continuous has two different forms: "will be doing " and "be going to be
doing." Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Continuous forms are usually
interchangeable.
FORM Future Continuous with "Will"
[will be + present participle]
Examples:
(+) You will be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
(?) Will you be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?
(-) You will not be waiting for her when her plane arrives next morning.
FORM Future Continuous with "Be Going To"
[am /is /are + going to be + present participle]
Examples:
(+) You are going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
(-) Are you going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?
(-) You are not going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives next morning.
REMEMBER: It is possible to use either "will" or "be going to" to create the Future
Continuous with little difference in meaning.
Complete List of Future Continuous Forms

6. USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Future
Use the Future Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the future will be
interrupted by a shorter action in the future. Remember this can be a real interruption
or just an interruption in time.
Examples:
• I will be watching TV when she arrives tonight.
• I will be waiting for you when your bus arrives.
• I am going to be staying at the Madison Hotel, if anything happens and you need to
contact me.
• He will be studying at the library tonight, so he will not see Jennifer when she
arrives.
Notice in the examples above that the interruptions (marked in italics) are in Simple
Present rather than Simple Future. This is because the interruptions are in time
clauses, and you cannot use future tenses in time clauses.
USE 2 Specific time as an Interruption in the Future
In USE 1, described above, the Future Continuous is interrupted by a short
action in the future. In addition in using short actions as interruptions, you can also use
a specific time as an interruption.
Examples:
• Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to be eating dinner.
It means that: I will be in the process of eating dinner.
• At midnight tonight, we will still be driving through the desert.
It means that: We will be in the process of driving through the desert.
REMEMBER:
In the Simple Future, a specific time is used to show the time an action will begin or
end. In the Future Continuous, a specific time interrupts the action.
Examples:
• Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to eat dinner.
It means that: I am going to start eating at 6 PM.
• Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to be eating dinner.
It means that: I am going to start earlier and I will be in the process of eating dinner
at 6 PM.

7. USE 3 Parallel Actions in the Future
When you use the Future Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it
expresses the idea that both actions will be happening at the same time. The actions
are parallel.
Examples:
• I am going to be studying and he is going to be making dinner.
• Tonight, they will be eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.
• While Ellen is reading, Tim will be watching television.
REMEMBER: The phrase "is reading" is used in the sentence above because of the time
clause containing "while."
USE 4 Atmospheres in the Future
In English, we often use a series of Parallel Actions to describe atmosphere at a
specific point in the future.
Example:
When I arrive at the party, everybody is going to be celebrating. Some will be
dancing. Others are going to be talking. A few people will be eating pizza, and several
people are going to be drinking beer. They always do the same thing.
REMEMBER: No Future in Time Clauses
Like all future tenses, the Future Continuous cannot be used in clauses beginning
with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if,
unless, etc. Instead of Future Continuous, Present Continuous is used.
Examples:
• While I am going to be finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. Not
Correct
• While I am finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. Correct
REMEMBER: It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in
any continuous tenses. Instead of using Future Continuous with these verbs, you must
use Simple Future.
Examples:
• Jane will be being at my house when you arrive. Not Correct
• Jane will be at my house when you arrive. Correct

8. REMEMBER : Sometimes there is little or no difference between the future
progressive and the simple future, especially when the future event will occur at an
indefinite time in the future.
Example: Don’t get impatient. She will be coming soon.
Don’t get impatient. She will come soon.
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always,
only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
• You will still be waiting for her when her plane arrives.
• Will you still be waiting for her when her plane arrives?
• You are still going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives.
• Are you still going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives?
Practice I
Future Tense / Future Continuous Tense
1. Sandra: Where is Tim going to meet us?
Marcus: He (wait) ………………………… for us when our train arrives. I am sure he
(stand) ………………………… on the platform when we pull into the station.
Sandra: And then what?
Marcus: We (pick) ………………………… Michele up at work and go out to dinner.
2. Ted: When we get to the party, Jerry (watch) ………………………… TV, Sam (make)
………………………… drinks, Beth (dance) by herself, and Thad (complain)
………………………… about his day at work.
Robin: Maybe, this time they won't be doing the same things.
Ted: I am absolutely positive they (do) ………………………… the same things; they
always do the same things.
3. Florence: Oh, look at that mountain of dirty dishes! Who (wash) …………………………
all of those?
Jack: I promise I (do) ………………………… them when I get home from work.
Florence: Thanks.
Jack: When you get home this evening, that mountain will be gone and nice stacks of
sparkling clean dishes (sit) ………………………… in the cabinets.
4. Doug: If you need to contact me next week, I (stay) ………………………… at the Hoffman
Hotel.
Nancy: I (call) ………………………… you if there are any problems.
Doug: This is the first time I have ever been away from the kids.
Nancy: Don't worry, they (be) ………………………… be fine.

9. 5. Samantha: Just think, next week at this time, I (lie) ………………………… on a tropical
beach in Maui drinking Mai Tais and eating pineapple.
Darren: While you are luxuriating on the beach, I (stress) ………………………… out over
this marketing project. How are you going to enjoy yourself knowing that I
am working so hard?
Samantha: I’ll manage somehow.
Darren: You're terrible. Can't you take me with you?
Samantha: No. But I (send) ………………………… you a postcard of a beautiful, white
sand beach.
Darren: Great, that (make) ………………………… me feel much better.
Practice II
Simple Present / Simple Future
Present Continuous / Future Continuous
Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses
1. Right now, I am watching TV. Tomorrow at this time, I (watch) ……………………… TV as
well.
2. Tomorrow after school, I (go) ……………………….to the beach.
3. I am going on a dream vacation to Tahiti. While you (do) ……………………….paperwork
and (talk) ……………………….to annoying customers on the phone, I (lie)
……………………….on a sunny, tropical beach. Are you jealous?
4. We (hide) ……………………….when Tony (arrive) ……………………….at his surprise party.
As soon as he opens the door, we (jump) ……………………….out and (scream)
………………………., "Surprise!"
5. We work out at the fitness center every day after work. If you (come)
……………………….over while we (work) ……………………….out, we will not be able to let you
into the house. Just to be safe, we (leave) ……………………….a key under the welcome mat
so you will not have to wait outside.
6. While you (study) ……………………….at home, Magda (be) ……………………….in class.
7. When I (get) ……………………….to the party, Sally and Doug (dance) ……………………….,
John (make) ……………………….drinks, Sue and Frank (discuss) ……………………….something

10. controversial, and Mary (complain) ……………………….about something unimportant.
They are always doing the same things. They are so predictable.
8. When you (get) ……………………….off the plane, I (wait) ……………………….for you.
9. I am sick of rain and bad weather! Hopefully, when we (wake) ……………………….up
tomorrow morning, the sun (shine) ………………………..
10. If you (need) ……………………….to contact me sometime next week, I (stay)
……………………….at the Sheraton in San Francisco.