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.
We have a long weekend coming up. Maybe I’ll go camping.
Offers, Promises, Refusals, Requests and Threats.
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.
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.
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
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