There are several ways in which we can express the future in English. In many instances, there is more than one way to express the same idea about the future; in other cases, the meaning might be changed or be completely incorrect.

Will

We can use the modal verb will to express future events that we are more certain about. Here are some uses of will:

Decisions you make at the moment of speaking.

camping

We have a long weekend coming up. Maybe I’ll go camping.

Offers, Promises, Refusals, Requests and Threats.

dog

Those bags looks so heavy! I’ll carry a few for you.

I’ll look after your dog while you are away.

I won’t speak to you ever again!

I’ll call the police if you enter this store again!

Predictions based on your personal opinion.

student

I am pretty sure she will be disappointed if she gets a bad grade.

Affirmative sentences Negative Sentences Questions
I will try I won’t try Will I try?
You will try You won’t try Will you try?
She will try She won’t try Will She try?
He will try He won’t try Will He try?
It will try It won’t try Will It try?
We will try We won’t try Will We try?
They will try They won’t try Will They try?

Be going to

It is also common to use be going to to talk about plans and intentions in the future.

travelling

Thomas and Emma are going to travel after they graduate from high school.

Affirmative sentences Negative Sentences Questions
I'm going to try I'm not going to try Am I going to try?
You are going to try You aren’t going to try Are you going to try?
She is going to try She isn't going to try Is she going to try?
He is going to try He isn't going to try Is he going to try?
It is going to try It isn't going to try Is it going to try?
We are going to try We aren’t going to try Are we going to try?
They are going to try They aren’t going to try Are they going to try?

Present Continuous


Unlock full access by logging in. Registered users can explore the entire lesson and more.

keyboard_arrow_up