Inglese - Future forms in English

The future: future forms

Will is used

• To express the speaker’s opinions, speculations about the future (a future fact or prediction).

  EX: - I’m sure he will come back. // - I suppose they’ll set the house.

  Verbs: assume, be afraid, feel/be sure, believe, doubt, expect, hope, know, suppose, think, wonder,…

  Adverbs: perhaps, possibly, probably, surely,…

• For habitual actions which we assume will take place.

  EX: - Spring will come again. // - Other men will climb these stairs and sit at my desk.

• As a neutral future tense, to express future facts. This use is uncoloured by ideas such as intentions, decisions, arrangements, willingness.

  EX: - There will be an eclipse next month. // - I’ll be thirty in a few days (it doesn’t depend on me, it’s simply a fact).

• In sentences containing clauses of: condition, time and sometimes purpose.

  EX: - You’ll break the glass if you aren’t careful. // - When it gets warmer, the snow will start to melt. // - I’m putting this letter on top of pile so that he’ll read it first.

• In newspapers and news broadcasts: for formal announcements, future plans and weather forecasts.

  EX: - The President will open the new heliport tomorrow. // - The fog will persist in all areas.

• To express a decision or intention made at the moment of speaking (unpremeditated actions, on spot decisions).

  EX: - I’ll phone you back in a minute. // - The phone’s ringing. I’ll answer it.

• For offers or willingness

  EX: - I’ll carry your bags. // - I’ll give you a lift if you like. // - All right, I’ll water plants.

"Will" can also be used for:

• Requests (Will you open the window? Will you make me a favour?)
• Firm intentions (I’ll love you forever.)
• Threats (I won’t speak you ever again.)

NB: Shall

• Where shall I put your tea? (instructions)
• Is found mainly in questions - What shall we do tonight? (decision)
• In used with I and We - Shall I cook supper tonight? (offer)

To be going to is used

• For intention: subject’s intention to perform a future action, always premeditated (decision or intention made before the moment of speaking).

  EX: - When she grows up she’s going to be a ballet dancer. // - We are going to get married in spring.

• For prediction: it can express the speaker’s feeling of certainty. The time is usually not mentioned (immediate future) prediction based on a present fact.

  EX: - Careful! That glass is going to fall over. // - Look at the sky! It is going to be a lovely day.

• After verbs as: be sure, be afraid, believe, think

  EX: - How pale this girl is! I’m sure she…