The 4 principal verbs used to express. Future. Present simple present continuous - going to - will

FUTURE
(any moment after NOW)
The English language makes a distinction between ‘what people do’ and ‘events or time-tables’ (things).
For events or time-tables the English language uses the ‘present simple’.
For ‘people’ it uses the ‘present continuous’.

PRESENT SIMPLE - (for THINGS)
Timetables and fixed future events___
What time does the next train for Hull leave?
It leaves at 10.15 a.m.
When does school start?
It doesn’t start until September.
Are the shops open tomorrow?
Yes, they open at 9 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.
Is there a meeting next Wednesday?
Yes, it starts at 3 p.m. Don’t be late!

Excuse me, does this train leave for Manchester at 7.30 ?
No, this one leaves for London in five minutes’ time. The train to Manchester leaves from Platform 2 at 7.30.
Simple Present – for timetables

PRESENT SIMPLE – PRESENT CONTINUOUS
REMEMBER:
Are the shops open? (now)
Are the shops open, tomorrow? (future)
Hurry! The bus is leaving. (now)
Hurry! The bus leaves in 5 minutes. (future)
I am playing tennis with John. (now)
I am playing tennis with John at 6 p.m. (future)

PRESENT CONTINUOUS – ( for PEOPLE)
Future arrangements – Planned actions
I’m not working in London next week.
John is leaving on the midnight train.
We are flying to New York tomorrow morning.
When are you coming to visit us?
What are you doing at the weekend ?
I’m meeting Mary at 6 o’clock. (Perhaps I am speaking at 2 p.m.)
They aren’t playing tennis this afternoon.
What time are you going to the gym?
I’m going later this afternoon.

Present Continuous for people’s programmes
What are you doing tomorrow evening?
I’m meeting Mary at 6:30, then we’re going to the cinema to see the new ‘Star Wars’ film.

TO BE GOING TO
People’s intentions
We can only have intentions for the future, so although we often use them, adverbs of future time are not always necessary.
Predictions based on the present time.
From what we see around us we believe that something will happen in the very near future.

Mom, I’ll be back at 5 o’clock. I’m going to play tennis with Mary.
People’s intentions

Previsions based on what we can see
Look at those clouds! It’s going to rain in a few minutes.

TO BE GOING TO
I’m going to watch TV.
I’m going to watch TV this evening.
I’m going to visit Italy sooner or later.
Is she going to marry him? Yes, she is.
Is Mary going to have a baby? Yes, in June.
Are you going to learn German next term?
Who is going to wash the dishes? Not me!
I think (now) that John is going to go to London in a week’s time.
‘going to go’ is repetitive, so we prefer to say ‘is going’
Are you going to come with us to the cinema? ‘going to come’ doesn’t sound too good so we prefer to say ‘are you coming’

WILL
is used:
For requests
For promises
For snap decisions
For predictions
For the inevitable
To show determination
Volunteering to do something
In sentences with verbs of opinion
In the first conditional

REQUESTS
Will anyone help me to do the ironing?

Will
REQUESTS
Asking somebody to do something
Will you help me (to) cook dinner?
Will you clean your bedroom tomorrow, please?
Will you marry me?
Will you please turn the television off?
I’m afraid to go alone. Will you come with me?

Will
PROMISES
Promising to do something -
I promise I will pay you back next Monday.
I will definitely pay you back. I promise.
I can’t help you today, but I promise I’ll help you tomorrow.
Will you promise me not to tell anyone what I’ve just told you?

Snap decisions
Look at the price! I’ll try it on and I’ll buy it.

Will
SNAP DECISIONS
Decisions made instantaneously with no planning
I like that dress. I’ll buy it.
How will you pay, madam? - I’ll pay cash.
Look! It’s snowing. - OK. I’ll stay at home then.
I haven’t got any money with me. – Alright, I’ll pay this time.
John, what does this word mean? - I don’t know. I’ll look it up in the dictionary.

Predictions
You will marry a very rich man

Will
PREDICTIONS
Forecast of a future event
This is the weather forecast. It will rain in London tomorrow morning, but it won’t snow.
Will robots dominate the world in 2050?
He will graduate in 5 years’ time.
I’m sure the world will be a better place in the near future.
He won’t be President for much longer.

Inevitable
I will be 4 next year.

Will
THE INEVITABLE
Something certain in the future.
John is 16. He will be 17 next June.
Without water those plants will die.
Unless you are wearing a tie, you won’t be allowed into the dining room of that 5 star hotel.

Will
TO SHOW DETERMINATION
I don’t want to go to school today, mom! - You WILL go whether you want to or not!
You must tell me what John said. - I WILL NOT tell you! I won’t break the promise I made.
You can ask me a thousand times but I WILL NOT give you any more money!

Will
VOLUNTEERING TO DO SOMETHING
I need some help with this suitcase! - OK, John will help you.
It’s very hot in here. - I’ll open the window if that’s alright with you.
My train leaves at 6.00! Don’t worry, I’ll take you to the station.
Who’ll help me to prepare dinner? - I will.

Will
IN SENTENCES WITH VERBS OF OPINION
Do you think John WILL COME to my party? - Yes, I think he WILL.
I believe John WILL BE very pleased when you tell him the news.
I wonder what Mary WILL SAY when you tell her.
I’m sure she WILL BE very happy in her new house.
I know he WILL STUDY very hard for this exam.