Review of future forms

We know about things in the present and in the past because they are already real. But talking about the future is much more problematic.
There is no single form in English that we can always use for the future. There are many different ways of talking about the future, depending on how we see a future event.

Here are ways of talking about what we think will happen in the future:

‘The neutral’ future- it doesn’t depend on us
The sun will rise at 5.45 am tomorrow.
Offers and requests
I’ll help you.
Will you do me a favour?
Promises and threats
I’ll love you forever.
I won’t speak to you ever again.
Predictions (+ verbs: think, believe, expect, hope, think)
I think I will pass my FCE exam.
I expect I won’t get A grade.
Predictions based on the present evidence- there is nothing that could prevent it
Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain.
The very near future
He’s about to finish this book.
Future actions over a period and ongoing future actions
This time next week, he will be flying to New York.
Tomorrow, from 4 to 6 pm. we’ll be playing tennis.
Something that will be over in the future or will have been ongoing for some time
By Friday, I will have finished this new book by Marquez.
Next month, I will have been working in this bank for 5 years.

We often want to talk about our decisions, intentions and what we plan to do in the future:

Decisions made at the moment of speaking
A: The phone is ringing.
B: Ok, I’ll answer it.
Intentions (things already decided)
A: Do you have any plans for this evening?
B: Yes, I’m going to watch a match on TV.
Less certain decisions or intentions
I might watch a match on TV or go to the cinema.
Arrangements (+ tonight, this weekend, at six)
I’m seeing my doctor on Monday at 4 pm.
Official arrangements (announcements)
The Queen is to visit Poland in November.
Timetables, programmes, schedules - the future imposed on us by others
What time does your train leave?
The concert starts at 6 o’clock.
! Time clauses (+ when, before, after, as soon as)
I’ll phone you as soon as I get home.
I’m starting a job in advertising after I’ve finished college.
! First conditional clause (+ if, unless)
If I have time tomorrow, I’ll go to the gym.
I won’t speak to you unless you apologize.

Now, do the following test to practise using future forms.

TEST

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