Talking about the future

The tense of a verb tells us when the action was done. The action can be done in the past, present or future.

When do I use the future tense?
There are three main ways of talking about the future. You can say:

• I will work late tomorrow. = future tense
• I am working late tomorrow. = present continuous tense
• I am going to work late tomorrow. = 'going to' + verb

1. Future tense
This is made by 'will' or 'shall' + the verb, as in the example above 'I will work late tomorrow.'
Note that 'will' and 'shall' are often shortened.
e.g.
Autumn will soon be here.
It'll break if you drop it.
What will you do? I don't know what I'll do

2. Present continuous
You can use the present continuous when you are making plans. It's useful to talk about definite arrangements in the near future, as in the example above 'I am working late tomorrow.'
e.g.
What time are you leaving tomorrow? I'm leaving at 8 O'clock.
I'm going out tomorrow.
I'm getting a new car next week.

3. Going to
'Going to' + the verb is also useful to talk about plans. It suggests that something is decided.
e.g.
What are you going to do this evening?
I'm going to watch a film on TV.
I think it's going to rain.
He's going to play football.