Future Tense

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Lesson 377

Future Tense

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The Future
There are several ways of talking about the future in English: The Simple Future
Tense, the 'going to' form, the Simple Present Tense, etc.

Simple Future Tense:
a) The Simple Future Tense is used to talk about things which we cannot control. It expresses the future as a fact.
E.g. i) I shall be twenty next Saturday.
ii) It will be Diwali in a week.
iii) We will know our exam results in May.

b) We use this tense to talk about what we think or believe will happen in the future. E.g.
i) I think Pakistan will win the match.
ii) I'm sure Helen will get a first class.

As in the above sentences, we often use this tense with I think and I'm sure. We also say I expect ---, I believe ---, Probably ---, etc.

c) We can use this tense when we decide to do something at the time of speaking. E.g.
i) It is raining.
ii) I will take an umbrella.
iii) “Mr. Sinha is very busy at the moment.” – “All right. I'll wait.”

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Going to:
a) We use the going to form (be + going to + base of the verb) when we have decided to do something before talking about it.
E.g.
i) “Have you decided what to do?” – “Yes. I am going to resign the job.”
ii)“Why do you want to sell your motorbike?” – “I'm going to buy a car.”

Remember, that if the action is already decided upon and preparations made, we should use the going to form, not the simple future tense. The Simple Future Tense is used for an instant decision.

b) We also use the 'going to' form to talk about what seems likely or certain, when there is something in the present which tells us about the future.
E.g.
i) It is going to rain; look at those clouds.
ii) The boat is full of water. It is going to sink.
iii) She is going to have a baby.

c) The 'going to' form may also express an action which is on the point of happening.
E.g.
i) Let's get into the train. It's going to leave.
ii) Look! The cracker is going to explode.

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Be about to:
'Be about to + base form of the verb' can also be used for the immediate future.
E.g.
i) Let's get into the train. It's about to leave.
ii) Don't go out now. We are about to have lunch.

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Simple Present Tense (for future):
a)The Simple Present Tense is used for official programmes and timetables.
E.g.
i) The college opens on 23rd June.
ii) The film starts at 6.30 and finishes at 9.00.
iii) When does the next train leave for Chennai?

b) The Simple Present is often used for future time in clauses with if, unless, when, while, as (means while) before, after, until, by the time and as soon as. The Simple Future Tense is not used in such cases.
E.g.
i) I won't go out if it rains, (not: will rain)
ii) Can I have some milk before I go to bed?

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Present Continuous Tense for future:
We use the Present Continuous Tense when we talk about something that we have planned to do in the future.
E.g.
i) I am going to Shimla tomorrow.
ii) We are eating out tonight.

Note:
You are advised to use the Present Continuous (not the Simple Present) for personal arrangements.