Talking about the Future in English

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There are three common ways to talk about the future in English:

  1. Using “going to”:
    We use going to for plans and predictions based on evidence.
    • “I am going to study tonight.” (plan)
    • “It’s going to rain; look at the clouds!” (prediction based on evidence)
  2. Using “will”:
    We use will for decisions made at the moment, promises, or general predictions.
    • “I will call you later.” (decision)
    • “She will be famous one day.” (prediction)
  3. Using the Present Continuous:
    We use the present continuous for fixed future arrangements.
    • “I am meeting my friends tomorrow.” (fixed arrangement)
    • “She is flying to New York next week.”

Table of Forms

Using “Going to”

PersonPositiveNegativeInterrogative
II am going to travel.I am not going to travel.Am I going to travel?
YouYou are going to study.You are not going to study.Are you going to study?
HeHe is going to watch TV.He is not going to watch TV.Is he going to watch TV?
SheShe is going to cook.She is not going to cook.Is she going to cook?
ItIt is going to rain.It is not going to rain.Is it going to rain?
WeWe are going to move.We are not going to move.Are we going to move?
TheyThey are going to relax.They are not going to relax.Are they going to relax?

Using “Will”

PersonPositiveNegativeInterrogative
II will help you.I will not (won’t) help you.Will I help you?
YouYou will learn English.You will not (won’t) learn.Will you learn English?
HeHe will drive tomorrow.He will not (won’t) drive.Will he drive tomorrow?
SheShe will call later.She will not (won’t) call.Will she call later?
ItIt will be sunny.It will not (won’t) be sunny.Will it be sunny?
WeWe will work together.We will not (won’t) work.Will we work together?
TheyThey will play football.They will not (won’t) play.Will they play football?

Using Present Continuous

PersonPositiveNegativeInterrogative
II am meeting John tomorrow.I am not meeting John tomorrow.Am I meeting John tomorrow?
YouYou are visiting a friend.You are not visiting a friend.Are you visiting a friend?
HeHe is flying to London.He is not flying to London.Is he flying to London?
SheShe is joining us later.She is not joining us later.Is she joining us later?
ItIt is starting soon.It is not starting soon.Is it starting soon?
WeWe are having dinner later.We are not having dinner later.Are we having dinner later?
TheyThey are going out tonight.They are not going out tonight.Are they going out tonight?

Modern Examples

Using “Going to”:

  1. I am going to buy a new laptop next week.
  2. He is going to visit his grandparents tomorrow.
  3. They are going to watch a movie tonight.

Using “Will”:

  1. I will text you when I arrive.
  2. She will study more for the next test.
  3. They will help you move to your new apartment.

Using Present Continuous:

  1. I am having a meeting at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
  2. She is traveling to Italy next month.
  3. We are playing tennis on Saturday.

Talking about the Future: Test

1: https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1/future-forms/