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’s going to faint.

COMPARISON: GOING TO AND WILL FOR PREDICTION

1) We use GOING TO when we have a PHYSICAL EVIDENCE to support our prediction.

• She’s going to have a baby (Look at her bump!)

• Liverpool are going to win (It’s 4-0, and there are only 5 minutes left)

• That glass is going to fall (it’s rolling to the edge of the table)

2) We use WILL when there is no such outside evidence. Our prediction is based on OUR PERSONAL

OPINION. It can be more theoretical and abstract.

• I’m sure you’ll have a good time at the party (this is my opinion)

• I expect Liverpool will win (said the day before the match)

COMPARISON: GOING TO AND WILL FOR INTENTION

1) The TO BE GOING TO form always implies a PREMEDITATED INTENTION and often an intention or

plan.

2) WILL implies INTENTION ALONE, and this intention isn’t usually, thought not necessary,

UNPREMEDITATED.

If preparations for the action have been made we use TO BE GOING TO; if the intention is CLEARLY

UNPREMEDITATED we must use WILL. If the intention isn’t clearly unpremeditated or premeditated either TO BE

GOING TO or WILL may be used.

• I will / am going to climb that mountain one day.

• I won’t / am not going to tell you my age.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

• Arrangements / fixed plans

• Time / place decided

• Usually near future

EX: - I’m having lunch with Brian tomorrow // - What time are you meeting him? // - Where are you having lunch?.

This future form is used with:

• VERBS OF MOVEMENT (arrive, come, go, drive, fly, leave, start, travel,…)

• VERBS OF POSITION (stay, remain,…)

• DECISION / PLAN WITHOUT DEFINITE ARRANGEMENT

Ex: - Are you coming to the party tonight?. // - The neighbours are coming to watch TV.

• ARRANEGEMENTS BETWEEN PEOPLE OR EVENTS PEOPLE CANNOT CONTROL

Ex: - I’m meeting the director tomorrow.

COMPARISON: PRESENT CONTINUOUS / GOING TO

Sometimes there’s little or no difference between these forms.

• We are going to see / We are seeing Hamlet at the theatre tonight.

When there is difference? The PRESENT CONTINUOUS emphasizes an ARRANGEMENT, the GOING TO

expresses a PERSON’S INTENTION.

• I’m seeing my girlfriend tonight.

• 

I’m going to ask her to marry me (NOT: I’m asking significherebbe “in questo momento”).

PRESENT SIMPLE

It is used for:

1) Future event which is unalterable because based on a TIMETABLE or CALENDAR

• My flight leaves at 10.30.

• Term starts on 4 April.

• What time does the film start?.

• It’s my birthday tomorrow.

• The President meets the Ambassador of Japan at 6pm tomorrow.

2) Subordinate clauses introduced by: IF, WHEN, BEFORE, AS SOON AS, AS LONG AS, UNLESS,

PROVIDED THAT,…

• We’ll go to the cinema if you finish to work early.

COMPARISON: PRESENT CONTINUOUS / PRESENT SIMPLE

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