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A1 · ⑨ Future
Talking about the future
Three ways to say tomorrow — and the choice says whether it is decided, predicted or arranged.
45minthe whole
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38questions
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01 · First page · which one, case by case
The three futures
You decide while you are speaking
will
— It's cold in here. — I'll close the window.
You decided before, and it is your plan
going to
I'm going to look for a new job.
You can see it coming, right now
going to
Look at those clouds — it's going to rain.
You guess, with no evidence in front of you
will
I think she will like it.
It is arranged: a time, a place, usually another person
present continuous
I'm meeting Anna at six.
It is a timetable, not your decision
present simple
The train leaves at 7.40.
A promise, an offer or a refusal
will
I'll help you. · I won't tell anyone.
will: will is a modal, so it never changes and the verb after it stays bare: I will go, she will go. Its job is the future you decide on the spot, the future you predict, and the future you promise.
be going to: be going to is not a modal: it is the verb be plus going to, so it changes with the person. It carries an intention already formed, or a prediction you can see the evidence for right now.
arrangement: An arrangement is a plan already fixed with somebody else, usually with a time. English puts it in the present continuous, exactly as if it were happening now — because for the speaker it is already real.
- I'll call you tonight.
- She's going to study medicine.
- We're flying to Rome on Friday.
- The shop opens at nine.
- It's going to snow.
| What it says | ||
|---|---|---|
| Form | Meaning | Typical signal |
| will + bare verb | decision now, prediction, promise | I think, probably, maybe, I'm sure |
| be going to + bare verb | intention already formed | next year, one day, I've decided |
| present continuous | arrangement, with a time | at six, on Friday, tomorrow morning |
| present simple | timetable, not your decision | the train, the film, the shop |
| won't | refusal, or a negative prediction | I won't do it. It won't work. |
Golden rule
Ask when the decision was made, not when the action happens. Decided while speaking takes will. Decided earlier takes going to. Decided earlier WITH someone else, at a set time, takes the present continuous. The action is tomorrow in all three cases: what changes is the past of the decision.
The short forms are what people actually say: I'll, you'll, she'll, we'll, and won't for the negative. Say I will only when you want to insist. And after if, when, as soon as, before and after, the future is NOT used: the present takes its place — I'll call you when I arrive, never when I will arrive.
02 · Second page · choosing, and the trap at the end
The uses
Decided now
The decision is being taken while you speak. Nothing was planned a minute ago.
— The phone is ringing. — I'll get it.OK, I'll come with you.
Decided before
You already have the intention. It is a plan, even if nothing is booked yet.
I'm going to learn to drive.They're going to move to Berlin.
Evidence in sight
You are not guessing: you can point at the reason. The prediction is in front of you.
Careful — you're going to fall!Look, it's going to rain.
Just an opinion
You believe it, but nothing in front of you proves it. Often with I think or probably.
I think they'll win.It'll probably be cold.
Arranged with someone
A time, a place, and usually another person who is expecting you.
I'm seeing the dentist at four.We're having dinner with them tonight.
Timetable
Somebody else decided it and printed it: trains, films, shops, lessons.
The lesson starts at five.The museum closes on Monday.
Promise or offer
You are giving your word, or putting yourself forward. Always will.
I'll be there, I promise.I'll carry that for you.
Refusal
won't is stronger than will not: it means somebody or something refuses.
He won't listen to me.The car won't start.
The rule that catches everybody: after when, no future
After if, when, as soon as, until, before and after, English refuses the future and uses the present instead: I'll call you when I arrive. Both halves are about tomorrow, but only the first one may carry will. This is not a small stylistic point — it is compulsory, and it is one of the last things learners get right. The trick that works: if the sentence has two verbs and one of them already has will, the other one is present.
🌍 For everyone
Neither language forbids the future after when, so both produce when I will arrive. English does forbid it, with no exceptions: the second verb goes into the present.
Quando arriverò ti chiamo. → I'll call you when I arrive.
shall survives in two places only: offers and suggestions in the first person — Shall I open the window? Shall we go? Everywhere else it sounds old-fashioned, and will does the job.
I will meet Anna tomorrow at six. → I'm meeting Anna tomorrow at six.
An arrangement with a person and a time takes the present continuous.
I'll call you when I will arrive. → I'll call you when I arrive.
After when the future is forbidden: the present takes its place.
Look at the clouds — it will rain. → Look at the clouds — it's going to rain.
The evidence is in front of you, so the prediction takes going to.
I go to the cinema tonight. → I'm going to the cinema tonight.
The present simple is only for timetables, not for your own plans.
She will to help us. → She will help us.
will is a modal: no to, and no ending on the verb after it.
I am going to call you, I promise. → I'll call you, I promise.
A promise is always will: going to would report a plan, not give your word.
- — I'm cold. — I'll shut the door.
- We're moving house next month.
- I'll text you as soon as I land.
- She won't answer the phone.
03 · Third page · now it's your turn
Exercises
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