The English language has rules for how to write future tenses. Future tense in English. Using Future Simple and Future Continuous

In English there are several ways to talk about actions and events that will happen.

To do this, we can use not only future tenses, but also other constructions.

In this article, I will tell you 5 ways in which you can express the future tense in English.

From the article you will learn:

• Using the Present Continuous to express future actions

Using Future Simple and Future Continuous

First, let's look at the two tenses that are most often used in English. to express the future.

FutureSimpleTense- future simple tense

We use this time when

1. We talk about facts in the future.

For example: "She's going to the party."

2. We express personal opinions and make forecasts.

For example: “I think he will help you.”

The Future Simple is formed according to the following scheme:

Actor + will + action.

For example

She will fly to New York.
She will fly to New York.

I think they will come.
I think they will come.

Read more about this time in this article.

FutureContinuousTense- future continuous tense

Using this tense, we talk about processes that will occur in the future. That is, we emphasize the duration of the actions that will occur.

For example

We will study for two hours.

That is, we don’t just talk about what we will do (fact), but we focus on the duration of this action - it will take 2 hours (process).

She will work all night.

We emphasize the duration of the action: this action will begin in the future and will last all night before ending.

The Future Continuous education scheme looks like this:

Actor + will be + action ending in -ing.

For example

They will be playing tennis the whole morning.
They will play tennis all morning.

She will be driving a car all night long.
She'll be driving all night.

Read more about this time.

Attention! Confused about English rules? Find out how to easily understand English grammar and learn to use it in your speech.

Using the construction to be going to in English

The construction to be going to is translated as “getting ready to do something.”

We use it when we talk about actions we plan to take.

That is, we say

1. About plans for the future.
2. Events that are likely to happen.

For example: “She is going to buy a new dress.”

In English, such sentences are formed according to the following scheme:

Actor + verb to be (am, is, are) + going to + action.

Examples

She is going to study English.
She is going to learn English.

They are going to buy a car.
They are going to buy a car.

What is the difference between will and to be going to?

I think you noticed that the construction to be going to is similar in use to will (Future Simple). Very often they can replace each other.

But there is still a slight difference.

We use the construction to be going to when the decision is weighed and thought out in advance. That is, you have a preliminary plan to do something.

For example, you say to a friend: “I am going to learn English.”

That is, you have already decided and thought about what you need English, looked for suitable courses and signed up for several introductory lessons to choose. And now share your plans with a friend.

The Future Simple tense is usually used when you are unsure of your plans. Perhaps you made a decision mid-conversation and didn't have time to think about it.

For example, you didn’t pass the interview because the job requires fluent English. You get upset and think: “I will learn English. Then I will definitely find a good job.”

This decision was made spontaneously, meaning at the moment you did not have time to think about it.

Reduction

Also very often in informal settings, for example, when communicating with friends, we use the abbreviation tobegonna.

For example

She is gonna go abroad.
She is going to go abroad.

They are gonna get married.
They are going to get married.

Read more about this design.

Using the Present Simple to Express Future Actions

Present Simple Tense is translated as “simple present tense.”

Even though tense is the present, it can be used to express the future when we speak about schedule and clear schedule.

For example

The train will arrive at 6 pm.

The plane will land at 9 am.

The bus leaves at 8 o'clock.

When we talk about a schedule, we mean a regular action, so we can say that it will happen in the future. We are sure of this because this action is repeated day after day.

Such sentences in English are formed according to the following scheme:

Actor + action.

If we are talking about someone in the singular (he, she, it), then the ending -s is added to the action.

For example

The bus departs at four o’clock.
The bus leaves at 4 o'clock.

The train arrives at 5 p.m.
The train will arrive at 5 pm.

Using the Present Continuous to express future actions

Present Continuous Tense - present continuous tense.

We can also use this tense when talking about future actions.

We use this construction to convey future action when we speak about something that is already organized and will definitely happen.

For example

We will go to the concert tomorrow (we already have tickets and we will definitely be there).

She will arrive tomorrow (she has already bought a train ticket and will definitely arrive).

Such sentences are formed in English according to the following scheme:

Actor + am/is/are + action ending in -ing.

For example

She is working on Saturday.
She works on Saturday (she knows for sure that she will have to work on Saturday).

I am celebrating my birthday on the weekend.
I'm celebrating my birthday this weekend (I've already organized everything and invited guests).

How to Express Future Action in English

Let's take another look at the general table of tenses and constructions with which we can talk about future actions.

So, we've sorted out the theory, and now let's move on to practice.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English.

1. They are going to meet friends at the weekend.
2. We are going to the cinema tonight (we already have tickets).
3. He will play football for 2 hours.
4. The plane will land at 8 pm.
5. I think she will come tomorrow.
6. She will help me tomorrow (already agreed).

Future Simple Tense or Simple Future Tense in English (also known as Future Indefinite Tense or future indefinite tense) is a tense used to express actions and states that will occur singly, repeatedly or continuously in the future.

At first glance, everything is quite simple, but in order to use the Future Simple grammatically correctly and appropriately in speech, it is necessary to study the rules of formation, forms and cases of use of this tense, which is what we will do.

Education Future Simple is not at all difficult. For it you need to use two verbs: auxiliary and semantic. The auxiliary verb in the Future Simple or simple future tense is the verb will. It is universal, as it is suitable for all persons, both singular and plural, which greatly simplifies the understanding and use of this tense.

However, this was not always the case: in addition to the auxiliary verb will, the verb shall was also present in everyday use. It was used exclusively for 1st person pronouns (I/we). Now this option for forming the future indefinite time is rare, as it is considered outdated. It is almost impossible to find it in affirmative or negative sentences, except perhaps in some formal English speech. But in questions, the verb shall is used a little more often, although preference is still given to the auxiliary verb will.

The role of a semantic verb in the Future Indefinite or Simple is any verb in the infinitive form without the preposition to. This is another nice feature of using this tense, because the difference between regular and irregular English verbs for the active voice in the Future Simple does not make any difference.

Future Simple - sentence forms

Having studied the formation of the Future Simple tense, you should consider the forms of sentences so as not to confuse the word order when using this tense.

Formation of an affirmative sentence in the Future Simple

To form an affirmative sentence, direct word order is used, where the auxiliary and semantic verbs follow the subject. Diagram for illustrative example:

To avoid mistakes in the formation of this form, it is enough to take an affirmative sentence in the Present Simple and put will in front of the semantic verb, removing the ending -s from verbs in the 3rd person.

Formation of the passive voice with the Future Simple

This technique does not work for the formation of the passive voice. No matter how much you would like it, you cannot escape from regular and irregular verbs even with the Future Simple. To construct a sentence in the passive (passive) voice, in which the action is directed to the subject, it is necessary to use the verb to be without a preposition and the third form of the verb after will. The third form may vary depending on the type of verb. It is enough to add the ending –ed to regular verbs. The irregular one is formed individually, not obeying the rules and grammar of the language. Its form can be seen in the table of irregular verbs.

Formation of a negative sentence in the Future Simple

For the negative form, all words remain in their places, but the negative particle not is added before will. Formula for constructing a negative sentence:

Let's look at a couple more examples using the table:

English auxiliary verbs in both forms are often used in shortened form. Study the table:

Students often confuse want and won't, pronouncing them the same way. These words are indeed pronounced similar, since their beginning and end are identical. However, their pronunciation of the middle vowel is different:

Forming an interrogative sentence in the Future Simple

The interrogative form is formed depending on the type of question.

• In general and alternative questions, the auxiliary verb will comes before the subject:

This question requires a short answer. Answers are formed using auxiliary and semantic verbs:

Full answer required. Table with possible options:

To answer a special question, a complete answer in the affirmative form in the Future Simple is required. Possible answer to the example question above:

A dividing question requires a short answer with the auxiliary verb will:

1. To express an action in the indefinite future that will occur several times or on a regular basis:

1. To express an action that will take place in a specific period in the future:

1. The future indefinite tense is also necessary to list sequential actions:

Note that in such cases the auxiliary verb will is used once with the first semantic verb.

1. As you may have noticed, the Future Simple tense often uses specific time markers in sentences. They help to understand what tense should be used in a particular situation. Companion words for the Future Simple tense:
   - tonight (tonight),
   - tomorrow (tomorrow),
   - the day after tomorrow (the day after tomorrow),
   - soon (soon),
   - again (again),
   - next week / month / year (next week, next month / year).

And also phrases with the preposition in:

• in the meaning of “in”: in 2020 (in 2020), in February (in February), in autumn (autumn), in the future (in the future);

• in the meaning of “in”: in 5 minutes (in 5 minutes), in a week (in a week), in 2 years (in 2 years).

1. The Future Simple is used to express sudden decisions that there was not much time to think about:

1. Also used to make predictions about future events. Often such sentences contain words expressing (un)confidence, suspicions, fears and doubts. These include:
   - probably (probably),
   - most likely (most likely),
   - perhaps (possibly),
   - certainly (definitely),
   - definitely (definitely),
   - undoubtedly (certainly),
   - potentially (possibly):

And also with verbs:
- hope (to hope),
- believe (believe),
- guess (to believe),
- suppose (to assume),
- think (to think),
- wonder (to be interested),
- imagine (imagine),
- expect (expect) and the expressions be sure / certain (to be sure) and be afraid (to be afraid).

Typically, these words are used in a sentence in the present tense, followed by a future clause:

1. The verb will is often used in questions expressing a request or proposal, where it acts as a modal verb:

1. The same modal verb is used to promise to do something or to give a warning. Let's look at examples in the diagrams:

1. Will is also used as a modal verb to show reluctance to do something. Such proposals apply to the present time. In order for the interlocutor to understand the function of will in such cases, the verb is emphasized intonationally:

1. The obsolete form of the English simple future auxiliary verb is appropriate in two cases:

• when we want to know the opinion of our interlocutor about something:

• if you use shall as a modal verb in the meaning “must”, in this case the word is used with all persons, both singular and plural:

1. The future simple tense in English can be found very often in conditional sentences of the 1st type (First conditional). This type is used to show that some action in the present or future can occur provided that another action is performed. We do not know for sure whether the condition will be met, but its implementation is theoretically possible.
   Schemes of the 1st type of conditional sentences:

There are situations in English in which the use of the simple future tense is acceptable in both parts, but such cases can be counted on one hand. So, for example, this option is possible:

• To make a polite request:

• To emphasize that an action must be done diligently until you achieve your goal:

1. Future Simple Tense is also used in indirect sentences with whether or if to mean "whether". In this construction, the main clause is used in the present tense, and the subordinate clause is used in the future:

1. A rare case is the use of the Future Simple in situations where the rules of use define the Present Simple and Present Continuous tenses and the construction be going to, which is also used to show future actions.

1. Let's take a closer look at the difference between the Future Simple tense and the be going to construction, which are used to express future actions. The construction be going to is used in cases where the action is deliberate, there is probably some kind of plan for its implementation. Future Simple is responsible for actions in which you are not entirely sure, as well as for those actions that are based on a sudden decision.

However, these nuances are not always observed, and therefore the construction to be going to and the Future Simple tense are often interchanged.

Using the Future Simple Tense in English is quite simple. Even if initially it will be difficult for you to quickly build sentences in your head, with constant practice, repeating the rules and composing your own examples, you will quickly bring this time to automaticity.

Views: 438

English grammar is quite multifaceted. I thought for a long time about how to title this article. On the one hand, it provides the most complete information on the topic future tense in English, but in this context it is more common to consider the times of the Future group. Therefore, here we will talk specifically about future action. Remember that the exact tense of a verb cannot always be determined by its grammatical form. For example, ways of expressing future action are manifested not only in tenses of the Future group with the use of will, but also in such tenses as Present Simple, Present Continuous and the phrase going to.

Verbs in the Present Simple form describe actions that occur regularly. But when we use this grammatical tense to describe events that will occur in the future according to an exact schedule. In other words, how confident are we in our words that we are talking about the future as a fait accompli.

The train arrives at 7 o’clock – Train will arrive at 7:00.

In the above statement, we are not interested in a specific time, not a process, not the result of a process, but the accomplished fact itself: the train will definitely arrive on schedule and will do so regularly. Consequently, the Present Simple group of verbs focuses on the regularity of an action, even if it has not yet occurred.

Present Continuous

Verbs in this tense are used to express the current action that is happening now. But in some cases it can express future action. For example, in the case of expressing precise plans in the near future.

I ‘m flying to Venice this weekend. - I I'll fly to Venice this week (assuming tickets are purchased and hotel booked).

Going to

We use the form to be going to in the following cases:

• To express plans, intentions or ambitions for the future;

Anna is going to be a singer when she grows up. – Anna is going to become a singer when she grows up.

• To express actions that we have already decided to take in the near future;

Jack is going to visit his parents this Saturday. Jack is going to visit his parents this Saturday.

• To express predictions and calculations about the future, especially when there is a significant probability that the action spoken of will occur sooner or later.

Look up! This branch is going to fall on the road. - Look up! This branch is about to fall on the road.

• To express a decision;

I'm going to build the big house. - I'm going to build a big house.

Future times

Future Simple

• To express spontaneous decisions made at the moment of conversation;

I feel ill. I will not go to school. - I feel bad. I will not go to school.

• Predictions for the future based on feelings;

I'm sure he will come. - I'm sure he will come.

• To express dreams;

I will build the best house. - I will build the best house.

• Promises, thoughts, warnings, requests, demands, wishes;

Will you help me clean the room? – Will you help me clean the room?

• Actions that will occur in the future beyond our control;

John will be seven years old. — John will be seven years old.

Future Continuous

• For actions that will develop at a designated time in the future;

At the same time next week I’ll be walking around Paris. — This time next week I will be walking around Paris.

• For actions that are certain to occur in the future as a result of an established order;

I will be going to the company next week. – I will go to the company next week.

• When we kindly ask someone about their plans for the near future;

Will you be finishing your work soon? – Will you finish your work soon?

Future Perfect

We use the future completed tense to express actions that must end before a specific time in the future.

I will have finished university by the end of this week. — I will graduate from university by the end of this week.

Scheme

In some textbooks, the use of tenses expressing future action is classified according to the degree of probability. I believe that this is not entirely correct and only applies to the topic. I propose a classification by degree determination perform an action.

The only difficulty arose with the Present Simple, because it is used in this context for schedules, event programs and commentary on sporting events.

As you can see, sentences expressing actions in the future tense are not always accompanied by will. The ways of expressing the future tense are quite multifaceted. Considering the focus and purpose of the proposal will help determine the right timing.

Like all languages, English has a future tense. FutureTense, which will be discussed now. This time is not particularly complex in its structure, but some aspects are still worth paying attention to. It’s worth starting with the fact that the future tense is divided into several types, four to be exact:

1. Future Simple Tense - simple future tense

2. Future Continuous Tense - continuous future tense

3. Future Perfect Tense - future completed tense.

4. Future Perfect Continuous - future perfect continuous tense.

5. Future in the past - future tense in the past.

First type of future tense FutureSimple conveys the most important meaning, that is, it describes actions that will occur at a certain time in the future. These actions may be of a regular nature. Apart from this, if we decide to do something during a conversation, the Future Simple is also used. As a rule, words such as tomorrow, next month/year…, in a few days are used to characterize this time. There are also verbs after which this form is often used: believe, think, expect, be sure, probably, and so on.

The structure of a narrative sentence is quite simple:

Subject+will+Verb+Object

Tomorrow at8 a.m he will come back home.

Tomorrow at eight in the morning he will return home.

Interrogative sentence:

Will+Subject+Verb+Object

Will he come back home at 8 tomorrow?

Will he be home tomorrow at eight in the morning?

In a negative sentence, no special changes occur, but a negative particle is added not:

Subject+will+not+Verb+Object

He will not come back home at 8 tomorrow.

Tomorrow he won't be home at eight in the morning.

FutureContinuousTense we use it when we want to emphasize the duration of an action taking place in the future, that is, the action will begin in the future and will last for some time. Usually this time is characterized by time intervals: at this time tomorrow, at 10 o’clock tomorrow…

The structure of the sentence structure is similar to the present tense, but in this case it is added will+ be, which points to the future:

Subject+will+be+Verb+ing+Object

At this time tomorrow I will be swimming in the river with my friends.

Tomorrow at this time I will be swimming with friends in the river.

For an interrogative sentence, you should make Will to the first place and also add be after the pronoun:

Will+Subject+be+Verb+ing+Object

Will you be swimming in the river with your friends at this time tomorrow?

Will you be swimming with your friends in the river at this time tomorrow?

For negation, add a particle not:

Subject+will+not+be+Verb+ing+Object

I will not be swimming in the river with my friends at this time tomorrow.

I won't be swimming with my friends in the river at this time tomorrow.

FuturePerfect used to describe an action that will be completed by a certain point in the future (a point in time is indicated). For this temporary form the words are used: by some time, until, till…

To make proposals, just follow the form below:

Subject+will+have+Verb(3/ed)+Object

I am not sure, that I will have finished this work by 7 o’clock.

I'm not sure I'll finish this work by seven o'clock.

When asked, the first place is taken will:

Will+Subject+have+Verb(3/ed)+Object

Will you have finished this work by 7 o’clock?

Will you finish this work by seven o'clock?

When negated, it is added not before have:

Subject+will+not+have+Verb(3/ed)+Object

I am sure, I will not have finished this work by 7 o’clock.

I'm sure I won't finish this work by seven o'clock.

FuturePerfectContinuousTense used when talking about an action in progress, that is, when the action occurs at some time in the future. Often used phrases: by next month/year..

Structure of a narrative sentence:

Subject+will+have+been+Verb+ing+Object

By next autumn I will have been working here for three years.

By next fall I will have been working here for three years.

Interrogative sentence:

Will+Subject+have+been+Verb+ing+Object

Will you have been working here for three years by next autumn?

Will you have been working here for three years by next fall?

Negative sentence:

Subject+will+not+have+been+Verb+ing+Object

By next autumn I will not have been working here for three years

By next fall I won't have worked here for three years.

And finally, Futureinthepast describes an action that was the future in the past, that is, when in the past tense they talk about something that will happen or could happen in the future, this form is used. For example: She said, she would be there at 6 p.m.

She said she would be there at six o'clock in the evening.

In this case will changes to would.

In my childhood I decided that I would be a doctor.

As a child, I decided that I would be a doctor.

Before studying the English future tense, we systematize the general patterns identified during the study of the present and past:

1. By degree of application: the most used tenses in spoken English are the tenses of the simple group ( Indefinite), long ( Continuous) and perfect ( Perfect).
2. The rules for forming tenses are identical in meaning and differ only in different time coordinates.
3. The tenses of the Perfect group state that the action has been completed, the Continuous group - the time or duration of a possibly unfinished action.
   Perfect is the English analogue of the Russian perfect form of the verb, answering the question “what to do.” The English verb does not have such a “luxury” (to have a perfect and an imperfect form), and for example, “to write” and “to write” are designated in this language exactly the same: to write. But which translation follows the meaning - it entirely depends on the form of tense in the sentence.
4. Perfect Continuous(perfect continuous) tense is used in more complex sentences where it is necessary to emphasize the nature of the action (time, duration and other circumstances) Usually used in complex sentences with two or more actions in literary and newspaper speech

The Future Tenses: future tense

1.The Future Indefinite (Simple): the future is simple

In the first person Future Indefinite auxiliary verb is used shall, in the rest - will. Nowadays in English it is possible to use both shall and will at the same time. Together with the subjects, abbreviated forms are formed:

• I'll, we'll, she'll, etc.

Let's summarize the properties of time in a table: The Future Indefinite (Simple)

This tense is used in English if something will happen one day in the future simultaneously, regularly or in the form of sequential events.

I shall write an article tomorrow. — I will write an article tomorrow (single case indicating the time of its occurrence)

• I’ll write articles every two days - I will write articles every two days (regularity of actions)
• He will write the book and carry it in the publishing house. — He will write a book and take it to the publishing house (two consecutive actions)

Examples of temporal adverbials that are usually used in the future tense:
Examples of temporary circumstances In subordinate clauses of the English language, it is not the Future Indefinite that is used, but the Present Indefinite, which in its meaning is translated as the future tense

• When editor come back he'll give me new task. — When the editor returns, he will give me a new task

The verbs shall and will play the role of not only auxiliary, but also modal verbs.

1. Shall used in affirmative sentences containing promises or demands, in interrogative sentences - in order to find out or confirm the intention of the interlocutor.
2. Will in the affirmative form they are used to express desire (intention), in the interrogative form in the second person - requests.

• I shall come to you tomorrow. - I will come to you tomorrow (firm promise)
• I will come to you tomorrow, if you do not mind. — I’ll come to you tomorrow if you don’t mind (intention)
• Shall I write it another time? — Should I write this another time? (clarification)
• Will you set aside this work on time, please? —Will you put this work aside for a while, please? (request)

2.The Future Continuous: the future is long

Formed using an auxiliary verb to be in the future tense ( shall/will be) and participles Present Participle (IV-th form with ending - ing) The Future Continuous Future Continuousused in English to express ordinary or ongoing events that will occur or have a likelihood of happening in the future.

1. Ordinary events, as in the Past Continuous, are indicated by similar circumstances:
   • time
     This press conference will be hosting tomorrow at the same time. — This press conference will take place tomorrow at the same time
   • a simple action in the future, but only it, unlike the past tense, is expressed not in its temporal form, but in the form of a simple present:
     When participants arrive, we will be meeting them on the platform. — When the participants arrive, we will meet them on the platform
   • another simultaneous continuous event of the future, expressed in the form of the present continuous:
     While break is lasting, we'll be talking with that expressive top liner. — While the break lasts, we will talk with this expressive star
   • certain situation:
     Did you arrive? My car is gray will be standing on our old place. - You arrived? My gray car will be parked in our old place
2. Long running events (possibly with interruptions)
   • We'll be preparing material for printing all day. — We will be preparing material for printing all day

   We use this form to emphasize the duration of the process. To state the fact, we use Future Indefinite.
   We also use Future Indefinite when there are sequential actions

   • I’ll get back from work in the evening, I’ll rest hour, I’ll write an article then. — I’ll return from work in the evening, rest for an hour, then write an article
3. Individual cases: for example, probable events possible in the future, and their time may or may not be indicated:
   • I’ll be finishing this job probably tomorrow. “I’ll probably finish doing this tomorrow.”
   • I hope he'll be passing the exam successfully. — I hope he passes the exam successfully

   Here we are talking, perhaps, about an exam that has already begun or will begin at a time known to the interlocutors. If the conversation concerns an event that is indefinite in time, then Future Indefinite should be used here

Sentences with a long future in English usually use adverbs and conjunctive words. For example, these:
circumstances and allied words

3.The Future Perfect (future perfect)

In this tense we use an auxiliary verb to have in the future tense ( shall/will have) And III f. semantic verb as a participle Participle II
Let's remember: Participle I and Participle II are formed by adding -ed to the infinitive without -to, if the verb is regular, or taken from the table of irregular verbs. The Future Perfect (future perfect) Future Perfect is translated from English as “future in the past,” that is, it expresses an event that will happen:

1. Until a specific time
   • I shall have written this bullshit by only morning. - I will write this nonsense only in the morning
2. Until another event in the future
   • He'll have done the task before the teacher takes notebooks. - He will complete the task before the teacher takes away the notebooks (Present Indefinite is used in the subordinate clause)
3. Will be related to some situation:
   • Horrible forecast… So we’ll have gone broke. - A terrible forecast... So we will go bankrupt

But if the future tense is contained in a subordinate conditional clause (containing conjunctions such as -when, -if, etc.), then instead of the Future Perfect the Present Perfect should be used:

• My salary will increase, if I have worked better. — My salary will increase if I work better.

This is not the first time in English that time, for example, present or past, is translated into the future.

Here is another example, when, on the contrary, the future is translated into the past. These are well-known phrases, which in meaning are translated as “should be”, “probably”:

• You will have known that nationalism is the source of fascism? — You must know that nationalism is a harbinger of fascism?

4.The Future Perfect Continuous (future perfect continuous)

Future Perfect Continuous has a bulky shape:

auxiliary to be in this form - shall/will have been And IV-I ( ing-form).

The Future Perfect Continuous (future perfect continuous) The Future Perfect Continuous is rarely used, mainly to express a long-term action that must take place before some future event and is still continuing at that moment. It is translated into Russian as imperfect, as it answers the question “what will I do?”