Grammar - The Future

In English there are various ways of talking about the future.

Will

will is followed by an infinitive;

the negative form is will not or won´t.

Will is used when the speaker makes predictions or mentions facts about future events.
It is used to express what the speaker knows or believes will happen.

Will is often used with the following words / expressions:

o probably

o maybe

o perhaps

o I (don´t ) think

o I´m sure

o I wonder

o I believe

o I expect

Will is also used for decisions made at the moment of speaking.:

Here are some example sentences:

o I think the technical components for the 3D printer will be delivered on Thursday.

o I´ll probably need help when working on the new prototype.

o I´m sure the health and safety inspector won´t allow us to work without PPE.

o The results of the study will be published next November.

o A: Michael called while you were on your lunch break.

B: Thanks for letting me know. I´ll call him back asap.

o Take your time. I´ll wait for you in the cafeteria.

Going to

The going to future is formed with the verb

to be + going to + infinitive.

Going to is used for plans and intentions. In this case, the speaker has already made a decision.

Going to is also used to make predictions based on evidence in the present (the speaker has proof that something is going to happen).

Here are some example sentences:

o We have decided to launch the new product in April. We´re going to use a wealth of promotional activities.

o We´re going to develop a new prototype later this year.

o Our new product is second to none. It´s going to sell incredibly well.

o He´s not wearing any PPE. He´s going to get hurt!

Present continuous (-ing form)

The present continuous is formed with the verb to be + verb + -ing.

The present continuous is used when the speaker wants to talk about things s/he has arranged to do. Often this refers to social arrangements or appointments.

Present simple

The present simple is used when the speaker talks about future events that are based on a fixed timetable, programme or schedule (e.g. arrivals or departures of traffic).

Future perfect

Here are some example sentences:

o I´m meeting Jack today to discuss the production process.

o Are you doing anything on Friday?

Here are some example sentences:

o The keynote speaker´s presentation starts at 10 o´clock.

o The Head of R&D retires next month.

The future perfect is formed with

will + have + past participle (3rd form).

The future perfect is used when the speaker wants to look back from one point in the future to a previous future event.

The future perfect is often used with the following words

o maybe

o perhaps

o by

Here are some example sentences:

o By 2060 over 80% of all blue-collar workers will have been replaced by robots.

o By 2030 over 200,000 people will have lost their jobs.