The Future Examples and exercises

The Future

The future simple is used

A -In the main clause of a first conditional sentence:

• If she passes the test, she'll go up to the next class.

But will is not normally used in the if clause.

B -for predictions after certain verbs like think, expect, wonder and hope, and

after certain adverbs like probably and perhaps:

• I think it'll stay fine for the race. • I hope he'll stay in touch.

C -for instant decisions or spontaneous reactions: • I’ll just answer the phone.

D -for offers of help: • I'll give you a hand, if you like.

E -for promises: • Believe me, I'll never do it again.

F -for invitations and polite requests: • Will you come to the theatre with me?

Except in questions, will/will not are usually contracted to 'll/won't in spoken

English. Shall is used mainly in questions with I/we to express offers of help, suggestions or requests for advice: • Shall I give you a lift? • Shall we go swimming?

Avoid using the future simple in any situations other than those described above.

Will is not used

After conjunctions of time, such as after, before, until, when, as soon as. Instead, a present tense is used:

• I'll ring you as soon as I find out. • He'll turn up before we've finished.

The present simple is used

To talk about timetables, programmes of events and people's schedules:

• What time does your train leave? • The President arrives at 9.30.

The present continuous is used to talk about planned future arrangements:

• Tomorrow I'm flying to Hong Kong.

A future time-phrase should be used or understood, to prevent confusion with the present uses of this tense.

Going to is used to talk about

A -firm intentions: • I'm going to be an actor when I grow up.

B -predictions based on something in the present: • Look! He's going to fall!

The future continuous refers to a continuous action which will be happening at a future point in time:

• I'll be playing football on Saturday afternoon.

The future perfect is used

To talk about an action which will have happened by a certain point in the future. By is often a key word:

• He'll have finished his exams by Friday week.

The future perfect continuous is used 

Similarly to the future perfect, but stresses that the action is continuous, or not completed:

• By the end of May we'll have been living here for three years.

Remember that many verbs do not have a continuous form

Exercise: 1

Complete the sentences with the most suitable verb form:

1 - If you (not object) we (ask) the committee to approve the proposal.

2 - By the time Juan (finish) his maths project next week, he (be) exhausted!

3 - What our world (be like) in the year 2050?

4 - Anne (not be) happy until she (see) the doctor this afternoon.

5 - This time next year I probably (live) on the other side of the world.

6 - I (not watch) the horror film that’s on tonight. I know it (give) me nightmares.

7 -By the end of this week we (raise) over ￡800 for the children’s charity.

8 - I swear I (do) my best from now on. Things (be) different, you (see).

Exercise: 2

Put shall, will or won't correctly into the sentences. Tick any phrases or sentences which are already correct:

1 - I am afraid I __be able to attend the wedding.

2 - He_____ interview you as soon as you__arrive.

3 - _____ we try the chicken supreme or the steak pie?

4 - There_____ be a lot of trouble when the staff______ find out!

5 ­- By the way,_____ you please take notes?

6 - _____ I change your library books for you?

7 - Don’t worry, you_____ have to stay for the whole session.

8 - Make sure you_____ put the rubbish out before you______ leave.

9 - If I _____ see her, I ______ give her your love.