Future forms
Will, be going to, the present continuous or the present simple: which future form fits the situation.
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English has no single future tense. It has several forms, and the choice depends on how the speaker sees the future event: as a new decision, a plan, a fixed arrangement, a timetable or a guess. Will is only one of them, and often not the natural one.
Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
will | a decision made now, a promise, an offer | I'll call you back in five minutes. |
will | a prediction from opinion | I think you'll enjoy the course. |
be going to | a plan or intention made earlier | I'm going to look for a new job. |
be going to | a prediction from what we can see | Look at the queue. We're going to be late. |
present continuous | an arrangement with a time or place | I'm seeing the bank manager at ten. |
present simple | a timetable or programme | The train leaves at 6.40. |
A decision now or a plan made earlier
Use will when you decide as you speak. Use be going to when the decision was made before.
- "There's no coffee left." "Isn't there? I'll get some at lunchtime."
(A new decision.)
- "There's no coffee left." "I know. I'm going to get some at lunchtime."
(Already planned.)
- Incorrect: "Why have you bought so much paint?" "I'll paint the kitchen."
- Correct: "Why have you bought so much paint?" "I'm going to paint the kitchen."The paint shows that the decision was made earlier. Will would mean you are deciding now.
A plan or a fixed arrangement
Be going to is for an intention. The present continuous is for something that is arranged: a time, a place or other people are fixed. Both are often possible.
- I'm going to ask for a pay rise.
(My intention. Nothing is arranged.)
- I'm meeting the director on Thursday.
(It is in both our diaries.)
- Incorrect: I can't come on Friday evening. I will have dinner with my parents.
- Correct: I can't come on Friday evening. I'm having dinner with my parents.The dinner is already arranged. Will sounds like a decision made this second.
The present continuous is not used for events that people can't arrange.
- Incorrect: I think she's winning the match on Sunday.
- Correct: I think she'll win the match on Sunday.
- Correct: I think she's going to win the match on Sunday.
Predictions: what you see or what you think
When something in the present shows what is coming, use be going to. When the prediction is your opinion or belief, will is usual, often after I think, I expect, I'm sure or with probably.
- The sky is very dark. It's going to rain.
- Lena has worked hard all year. I'm sure she'll pass the exam.
- Prices will probably go up again next year.
In many predictions both forms are possible, with little difference: I think it will be a difficult year and I think it's going to be a difficult year are both natural.
Timetables and programmes: present simple
For public timetables, programmes and calendars, use the present simple. The time is fixed by somebody else, not by you.
- Our flight leaves at 7.15 and arrives in Vienna at 9.30.
- The conference starts on Monday and finishes on Wednesday.
- What time does the museum open tomorrow?
- The new term begins on 4 September.
For your own plans, we normally use the present continuous or be going to, not the present simple.
- Incorrect: I visit my sister next weekend.
- Correct: I'm visiting my sister next weekend.A personal plan is not a timetable.
Offers, promises and requests: will
For an offer, a promise or a request, use will, whatever the plans are.
- I'll help you with those boxes.
- I won't forget to call the plumber.
- Will you send me the address, please?
Not will for everything
Will is the right choice for new decisions, promises, offers and opinions. For plans and arrangements it often sounds wrong or changes the meaning.
- I'm going to sell the car.
(I've thought about it and decided.)
- I'm selling the car on Saturday.
(A buyer is coming.)
- I'll sell the car, then.
(I've just decided, in this conversation.)
- Incorrect: I can't meet you at six. I'll see the dentist then.
- Correct: I can't meet you at six. I'm seeing the dentist then.The appointment already exists, so will is the wrong form.