Future Simple – Verb Meaning and Use

This post will show you how to use the Future Simple. To see how to form the Future Simple, click here.

We use Be Going To and the Present Continuous to talk about a planned event or future intention. A future time expression is usually stated or implied with the Present Continuous in order to avoid confusion.

Future with Be Going To

• I am going to study hard tonight for the test.
• He’s going to do the dishes after dinner.
• Why isn’t she going to work next week?

Future with Present Continuous

• I am studying hard tonight for the test.
• He’s doing the dishes after dinner.
• Why isn’t she working next week?

. Be Going To and the Present Continuous are usually similar, but not exactly the same. With Be Going To the speaker may not have an exact plan. With the Present Continuous, the plan is often more definite. Future with Be Going To

• I’m going to leave my job (someday). I’m so unhappy
• He’s going to buy a new car but he doesn’t know what kind yet.

Future with Present Continuous

• I’m leaving my job (next week). I have been so unhappy here.
• He’s buying a new car tomorrow! He has already chosen it.

. We use Be Going To for predictions, especially when there is evidence that something is just about to happen. Do not use the Present Continuous for predictions. Future predictions with Be Going To

• Be careful! That glass is going to fall!!
• That glass is falling. (incorrect)
• It’s cloudy. It’s going to rain tonight.
• It is raining tonight (incorrect)
• They’re going to win the game tonight. They are the better team.
• They are winning tonight (incorrect)

. Future with Will We use Will or Be Going To to make predictions or expectations. You can also use probably and other adverbs with Will and Be Going To to express certainty or uncertainty. Future with will

• Electric cars will become popular in the next ten years.
• Electric cars are going to become popular in the next ten years.
• They will probably win the championship.
• They are probably going to win the championship.
• It will warm up
• It’s going to warm up

With predictions, the meanings of Will and Be Going To are not exactly the same. Use Be Going To when you are more certain that an event will happen because there is evidence. Do not use Will in this situation. In this situation, Will needs a requirement to be met first.

• She’s going to have a baby. (She is pregnant)
• She will have a baby (If she gets married. She is not pregnant now).
• They are going to win (They are the best team)
• They will win tonight (if they can keep the ball).

. In statements with I, the first person, Will and Be Going To have different meanings. Will is often used to express a quick decision made at the time of speaking. Be Going To, however, shows that you have thought about something in advance. Do not use Be Going To for quick decisions. Will for quick decisions

• A: “Does anyone want to help me?” B: “I will help. What can I do?”
• A: “There’s someone at the door.” B: “I will answer ”
• A: “What would you like to eat today?” B: “I’ll have the soup and salad.”

Be Going To for advanced plans

• A: “What are your plans for the weekend?” B: “I’m going to help my sister move tomorrow.”
• A: “Do we have any alcohol for the party?” B: “Not yet. I’m going to pick it up

. In statements with I, Will is often used to express a promise. Will for promises

• I will do my homework.
• I won’t tell anyone!
• I will be on time.
• I won’t quit school.

. We use the Present Simple for future events, mostly schedules, which are out of our control. Future with Present Simple

• The plane leaves at 9:15 tomorrow.
• School starts at 8am and finishes at 3pm.
• The stores open at 9am everyday.
• He arrives on the 4 o’clock bus next Saturday.
• What time does the movie begin?