Engish Future Forms: Round-Up

Here is a round up of how future actions can be expressed in English. There are five ways of talking about predictions, two options for intentions, three for arrangements and some other future meanings such as statements of fact, promises, hopes, warnings, timetables and so on.

Use	Form	Example
PREDICTION
predictions based on guesswork, analysis and judgement	Future Simple	He probably won’t be in prison for a long time. The war will definitely be over next month.
prediction with present evidence	be going to	Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain.
prediction of an action in progress	Future Continuous	This time tomorrow we’ll be sitting  in a cafe.
prediction of an action completed by a point in the future	Future Perfect	I’ll have finished the report by 3.30
prediction of an action still ongoing at a point in the future	Future Perfect Continuous	She’ll have been working here  for 25 years next month.
INTENTION
on-the-spot decision	Future Simple	Did you call Peet? I forgot! I’ll do it now.
intention	be going to	They are going to travel together.
ARRANGEMENTS
Arranged events	Present Continuous	We are seeing a musical at the theatre next week.
Events arranged in the past	Future Continuous	We’ll be coming back from London on Sunday
Tactful queries / reasons for rejections	Future Continuous	Will you be eating with us? Sorry, I can’t I will be studying.
OTHER FUTURE MEANINGS
Timetable future	Present Simple	The train arrives at 5.55 pm
Routine events	Future Continuous	We’ll be having our weekly meeting tomorrow. So I’ll present your report.
Statements of fact /	Future Simple	Next week I’ll be 21.
Promises / Hopes	Future Simple	I’ll call you as soon as I get to the hotel. I hope you’ll be OK.
Warnings / Threats	Future Simple	If you don’t revise, you’ll fail your exam. If you fail the exam, you’ll be punished.
Requests / Offers	Future Simple	Will you give me a hand with this? You look tired. I’ll help you with this.
In time clauses	Present Simple	He’ll stay until you get here.
FUTURE EXPRESSIONS
official arrangements	be to	The President is to hold an official reception for the visitors.
timetables	be due to	The train is due to arrive at 5.30, but it may be delayed.
immediate future	be about to be on the point / verge of	Come on! The check-in desk is just about to close.
probability / certainty	be (un)likely to be sure / bound / certain to	The payment is likely to take ten days.

Source:
1. M Foley, D. Hall. Advanced Learner's Grammar. Pearson Education Limited.