Review of the Future Tense: (be) going to, will, present progressive, present simple

There are different ways to express the future in English. Look at this dialogue:

“Is Uncle Joe arriving today?” (present progressive)
"Yes. His train arrives at 1:00.” (present simple)
"O.K. then, we’ll meet him at the station.” (will + verb)
“Bring an umbrella. It’s going to rain.” (be going to + verb)

(Be) Going to + Verb

We use (be) going to + verb (L2U2L1) for:

1. future actions, events, or plans that are usually already decided. We know they are going to happen.
   For example: I’m going to play ball after school.
2. predictions about the future, based on facts, or things we know.
   For example: Look outside. It’s going to rain.

   She's going to have a baby in July.
3. actions that are imminent – very close to happening right at that moment.
   For example: Slow down! You’re going to fall!

This form of the future is more informal and used less in writing.

Will + Verb

We use will + verb (L2U2L2) for:

1. when we think something is going to happen, but we’re not sure.
   For example: I think it will be cold tomorrow.
2. decisions that we make at that moment.
   For example: It’s hot. I’ll open the window.
3. promises.
   For example: I promise I’ll call you.
4. refusals, or talking about something that will not happen.
   For example: He doesn’t like chicken. He won’t eat it.
5. asking people to do things.
   For example: Will you bring me something to drink, please?

Present Progressive

Present progressive (L2U3L1) is similar to (be) going to. We use it for:

1. personal plans.
   For example: What are you doing after school?

   I’m playing basketball.

   
   Because we use the present progressive for personal plans, we don’t usually use it for predictions or things that can’t be controlled (in which case we use (be) going to or will).

   For example: It’s going to snow tomorrow. (NOT: It’s snowing tomorrow.)

   
   
2. talking about something in the very near future, especially with verbs of movement (leave, come, go, fly, travel).
   For example: The plane to London is leaving in fifteen minutes.

Present Simple

Sometimes, we can also use the present simple (L1U4L1-3) to talk about the future. We use it for events on a calendar or schedule.

Review

We can use all these forms to talk about the future. Some are very similar, but the different forms can change our meaning.