The Futurefor Bachillerato

JJSE

Introduction• The Future is a complex tense in English. Much

more complex than in Spanish, because it not only expresses future events, but it also includes feelings, opinions, plans…

• The Future may be expressed using the following:

1. The modal 'WILL'

2. The Presents (Simple and Continuous)

3. The 'Going to' construction

IntroductionThe Future Diagram

Present Simple Present Continuous

Going to…

Future Simple (WILL) Future Continuous (WILL be —ing)

Future Perfect (WILL have —ed)

Future Perfect Continuous(WILL have been —ing)

1. The Present Simple

It is almost exclusively used for:• Scheduled events

The film begins at 6:30.The concert finishes after midnight.I start my new job on Monday. (it's not my plan or decision)

• TimetablesThe train leaves at 1:06 pmThe class starts at 7:30What time do you finish work tomorrow?

Do NOT use WILL in these cases.

2. The Present Continuous

It is used for plans and appointments already made

I'm playing tennis this afternoonThe children are leaving on Monday.Tom and Bill are meeting tonight.

• It is necessary to use a future expression. Otherwise we are dealing with the Present Continuous.The children are leaving. (now)

3. The 'Going to' construction

It is used to express• the intention of doing something in

the future:I'm going to move to London. (but it's not planned yet)

The neighbours are going to buy another car.

• a prediction (something that is clearly going to happen):

Jillian is going to have a baby. (she is pregnant)

That car is going to crash. (it's driving dangerously fast)

It's going to rain. (it's –almost– certain)

4. WILL + Infinitive

It is used to express• a decision taken at the time of

speaking:I wanted fish, but I'll have a steak. (at the restaurant)

(the phone rings) I'll answer it.

• something that could happen:

I think it'll rain. (although I'm not sure)

Mike thinks he'll win. (but he's not sure)

5. WILL + Continuous

It is used to express something that will be occurring at a certain future time (emphasizes duration):

This time next week I'll be fishing in Barbados.

–What will you be doing in a year? –I'll be writing a new book.

6. WILL + Perfect ('Future Perfect')

It is used to express something that will have happened at a definite future time:

Mary will have left by the time we get to the airport.

(When we get to the airport, she won't be there)

By this time next month we'll have sold everything!

(Everything will be sold in a month)

7. WILL + Perfect Continuous

It is used to express an uninterrupted action that started in the past and will not have finished at a certain future time:

By the end of August we will have been working here for 25 years.

(So we started in August 25 years ago and are still working here.)

8. Special uses

(A young man to a lady with both hands busy)

Shall I open the door for you, madam?

(The valet to a customer)

Shall I fetch your car, sir?

Shall I…?• When somebody offers to help

8. Special uses

Will you lend me another ten (pounds)?

It's really hot in here. Will you please open that window?

Will you…?• asking for a favour

The End